Archive
-
Date
EIGHT MEN QUIT AFTER WOMAN JOINS CLUB
EIGHT men have quit Worcester Lions Club after the first woman joined their ranks. They resigned when widow Theresa Walker transferred from another club. The mum-of-four, who was a Lion in her home town of Boston, Lincolnshire, before moving to the Faithful
-
Date
Attack on retail plan at inquiry
A COUNTRYSIDE lobby group has urged a planning inspector not to allow the retail element of Worcester City Football Club's plans for a new stadium. Ann Stallard, from the Worcestershire branch of the Council for the Protection of Rural England, said she
-
Date
Elgar score up for auction
THE full score of Souvenir d'Amour, signed by its composer Edward Elgar, is expected to fetch up to £15,000 when it is auctioned at Sotheby's tomorrow. The manuscript, which has numerous revisions and alterations, is stamped "Edward Elgar, Worcester",
-
Date
Bailed after theft
A MAN stole goods from a DIY store in Worcester to fund his drug habit, Worcester magistrates heard. The court yesterday ordered a pre-sentence report for Lee Raymond, from Portefields Road in Tolladine, Worcester. The offence took place on Thursday,
-
Date
21/05/03 - Villa first on the list
ASTON Villa have become the first side to sign up for a friendly at Bromsgrove Rovers this summer. The Premiership side, where new Rovers boss George Rooney was a scout, will send a side to the Victoria Ground on Wednesday, July 30. It is not known which
-
Date
'In memory of pops' - Hannah's race tribute
A LITTLE girl will spend her birthday running a charity race in memory of her grandfather. Eight-year-old Hannah Taylor will wear a pink sticker on her back saying "in memory of pops" as she pounds Worcester's streets on Sunday, June 15, in the annual
-
Date
Bid to break balloon record
WITH tailors from Russia and a diet of white bread and rice, a Malvern defence agency is making sure two intrepid adventurers have just the right recipe to take a hot air balloon to the edge of space. Commercial balloon pilots Andy Elson and Colin Prescot
-
Date
Hall hosts hands-on history
FASHIONS from throughout history brought the past to life at Hanbury Hall. The History Clothes Show was one of a series of workshops to be held at the National Trust property near Droitwich, in which visitors were able to try on a selection of outfits
-
Date
Police call for witnesses
POLICE have launched an appeal for witnesses as part of a fresh investigation into the death of 21-year-old heroin addict Rachel Whitear. Her parents, Mick and Pauline Holcroft, of Ledbury, released shocking pictures of their daughter after her death
-
Date
Groups to share in grant bonanza
ORGANISATIONS in Worcester are to receive grants totalling almost £180,000. Arts groups, support groups and youth groups will all benefit from council cash. But due to the city's budget proposals the amount allocated this year, particularly for youth
-
Date
Veteran of Basra is back to hero's welcome
A ROYAL Marine from Inkberrow has returned home to a hero's welcome after months in Iraq. Residents of the village turned out in force to greet Cdr Daniel Edwards, who was caught up in some of the fiercest battles of the conflict in Iraq's second city
-
Date
Brass is back at two open-air city concerts
THE traditional sound of a brass band looks set to return to two Worcester parks from this Sunday. The city council's popular Bands in the Park season, which has been running for three years, kicks off this Sunday, May 25. Events will alternate between
-
Date
Reaching out to city unemployed
AN unemployment troubleshooter will soon be tackling joblessness in the most deprived areas of Worcester. An outreach worker is due to be based at the Fairfield centre in Fairfield Close, Warndon, as part of a bid by Worcester's JobCentre Plus to get
-
Date
New recycling plant is readied for start of kerbside collection
A NEW recycling plant has opened in Worcestershire in a bid to encourage more people to dispose of their waste efficiently. The new Material Reclamation Facilities (MRF) at the Hill and Moor landfill site in Lower Moor, Throckmorton, is one of the major
-
Date
Revamped museum to unveil painting
A PAINTING depicting the new face of a Worcestershire regiment is taking pride of place in the revamped Worcestershire Soldier Museum. The Review of the Queen's Own Worcestershire Yeomanry Cavalry Regiment on Kempsey Ham will be unveiled next month at
-
Date
Golden concert
ALCESTER will be trying to top last year's fun and frolics of the Golden Jubilee with the Queen's coronation celebrations in June. Soundbytes, who performed at last year's event, will be on song again on June 15 in Bleachfield Street car park. The concert
-
Date
50 years ago
May 22, 1953 Studley Coronation Committee is within reach of raising its target figure of £300, it is reported this week. The funds benefited by about £20 as a result of a concert held in Entaco Hall on Tuesday. The event was organised by Miss Stephanie
-
Date
Family's tribute
THE family of a Redditch man killed by a hit and run driver will be visiting hospital staff who cared for him to say thank you. Neil Tyler, 26, was hit by a car as he crossed a road in Birmingham after a night out with friends on April 12. Mr Tyler was
-
Date
Con theft is 'despicable'
AN elderly woman had her life savings stolen after two youths conned their way into her Batchley home on Sunday. The youths made their way into sheltered accommodation and first walked into a 79-year-old woman's home. They asked for a pen but left without
-
Date
Evil thugs are killing swans
SWANS in Redditch may be being killed and injured by cruelty and not just carelessness, according to an RSPCA inspector. Redditch Insp Simon Dix has issued a stark warning to anyone thinking of harming swans that they could face harsh punishments. Mr
-
Date
Magnum eye 'stocks ace
REDDITCH superbikes team Magnum Motorsport could be set to swoop for National Superstocks Championship hopeful David Jefferies after solving their contract problems with new signing Gary May. May was notable by his absence in Round Six of the series at
-
Date
U13s finish third in finals
REIGNING Midlands mini hockey champions from Bromsgrove finished third on goal difference at their first national finals. Bromsgrove School's U13s team, who won the Midlands title during the Easter holidays, won two, drew one and lost one at the round-robin
-
Date
Tax farce betrays uneasy Britain
IN the wake of Clare Short's dramatic resignation speech, last week, we concluded this column by harking back to Tony Blair's pledge, on becoming Prime Minister in 1997, to make Britain a country at ease with itself. We reflected that he'd been singularly
-
Date
A New race for Andy
WINYATES Green biker Andy Burbidge says the step up in class he made to race in the MRO series was obvious when he returned to the club circuit at the weekend. Burbidge raced at Donington at the weekend in the New Era championship and says his struggles
-
Date
Blood date
The next sessions for Redditch blood donors take place at Trinity High School and Sixth Form Centre next week. The sessions run at the Easemore Road venue from 1.30-3.15pm and 4.30-7.15pm on Thursday.
-
Date
Tories fear tactics war
THE Conservatives have accused Labour and Liberal Democrats of ganging up at the first full meeting of Redditch Council since the local elections. Though all three party leaders on the hung council were keen to stress consensus would be the key in the
-
Date
Groups tackle human rights
COUNCILLORS and representatives from groups across the town spent Friday at the town hall learning about human rights issues. Talking to seminar participants on a number of different topics were representatives from Amnesty International and the United
-
Date
Plans set for refusal
MAJOR plans to build 24 new homes on the site of the Jaffar car sales garage in Crabbs Cross looked set to be rejected by Redditch councillors last night. Wimpey had applied for permission to redevelop the site off Evesham Road with an assortment of three
-
Date
Learn to play netball
A NEW eight-week course ideal for people who want to improve their netball skills starts at Kingsley Sports Centre next month. Summer Netball is a 60-minute class held from 6.30-7.30pm on Mondays from June 2. The classes will be led by a qualified All
-
Date
Jumble date
Town residents will be able to have a rumble in the jumble in aid of charity on Sat, May 31. A jumble sale will be held at St Luke's Memorial Hall on Evesham Road, Headless Cross, in aid of the Alexandra Hospital. Admission costs 20p and the event will
-
Date
Coaches set to sign new deals
CECIL Duckworth believes John Brain and Andy Keast are on the verge of committing for another season. Worcester Rugby Club's chairman met with the Sixways coaches yesterday over one-year extensions to their current deals that are due to run out at the
-
Date
Barton chasing three new players
WORCESTER City manager John Barton is currently in talks with three players. The St George's Lane boss reports negotiations are progressing well but said they are still at a relatively early stage. "We have been talking to two or three players and are
-
Date
Stourport's Bailey in triple trophy success
LADIES first teamer Kate Bailey scooped a handful of awards when Stourport Hockey Club gathered for their annual awards and dinner at Wharton Park Golf Club, Bewdley. She received three trophies, her first being the side's most valuable player, voted
-
Date
Under 20s are underdogs in the final
NORTH Midlands admit they have surprised themselves by reaching the final of the Tetley's National Under 20 Championship against Yorkshire at Twickenham on Saturday. Head coach John Beale admits that North Midlands were "awful" in their early matches
-
Date
Town's five out in semis
FIVE members of Bromsgrove Rugby Club's First XV have missed out on an appearance at Twickenham with the North Midlands squad. Jon Taylor, Tom Churchill, Richard Arnold and coaches David Stout and David Wilkinson were on the receiving end of a 27-19 defeat
-
Date
Ben is toy boy hero
WYTHALL Theatre Company presents the hilarious Silly Cow at Redditch's Palace Theatre this week. Written by Ben Elton especially for Dawn French, the play concerns Doris, a tabloid journalist with no scruples who will do anything for stardom and press
-
Date
Hear the call of a thriller
JB Priestley's classic thriller An Inspector Calls plays at Malvern's Festival Theatre from Monday. The Royal National Theatre production is directed by Stephen Daldry, famed for directing feature films Billy Elliott and The Hours. It has won more awards
-
Date
The Good Girl (15)
Three star MRS Brad Pitt plays the title role of Justine in this black and sometimes bleak comedy about one woman's battle with her heart and her mind. Justine and her clueless husband Phil (John C Reilly), have been trying to start a family but she has
-
Date
The Bluetones Luxembourg
Three star AFTER much head scratching the answer finally came - Luxembourg is an inspired title to the Bluetones' latest album. With all due respect to the legions of Luxembourgers who regularly read our reviews column, the European mini state is pleasant
-
Date
Marilyn Manson The Golden Age of Grotesque
Four star THE man they call Marilyn is back for an unbelievable fifth time with a fitting album entitled The Golden Age of Grotesque. It must be one of the hardest jobs in the world to be painfully shocking 24/7 for most of your rock star life, but it's
-
Date
Bowling for Columbine (15)
Four star FILMAKER Michael Moore hits home with a stunning documentary feature exploiting the gun laws of his own beloved America. The film, based around the high school massacre in 1999 where two teenagers shot and killed 13 people before taking their
-
Date
Choir sings well
A concert in Stoke Prior next month will raise funds for the Primrose Hospice. The Primrose Choir, directed by Kay Hadley, performs the Summertime Concert at the Gate Hangs Well, Woodgate, on Saturday, June 7th at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £6.50 including
-
Date
Witton are county champions
A SCHOOL football team from Droitwich Spa snatched victory from the jaws of defeat to claim their first ever county cup. Witton Middle School's U11s side were just five minutes from losing their Worcestershire cup final when they trailed 1-0 against Comberton
-
Date
County champions
AN U12s football team from Rubery has won the county cup. The Waseley Hills High School team defeated Redditch's Church Hill Middle School 2-1 at Bromsgrove Rovers' Victoria Ground on Tuesday, May 6 with goals from Stuart Cooke and Michael Hesketh. Hesketh
-
Date
Title goes to Rovers
ROVERS Sunday have capped a superb season by claiming the Advertiser/Messenger Football League division one championship. Gary Walmsley's side confirmed top spot with a 6-0 thrashing of Alvechurch Darts last Thursday and have now won six of the eight
-
Date
Villa first on the list
ASTON Villa have become the first side to sign up for a friendly at Bromsgrove Rovers this summer. The Premiership side, where new Rovers boss George Rooney was a scout, will send a side to the Victoria Ground on Wednesday, July 30. It is not known which
-
Date
Knight's award
DANIEL Knight was named players' player of the season at Bromsgrove Athletic U14s' annual end of season presentation on Friday, May 16. Karl Miles was voted parents' player of the season while Shane Smith was managers' player of the season and Gary Hewitt
-
Date
More support is sought
DEAR EDITOR -- I am an endometriosis sufferer and am looking at the possibility of setting up a support group within Herefordshire and Worcestershire. I am hoping to find local sufferers who would be interested in having a support group in the area to
-
Date
50 years ago May 23, 1953
FINAL preparations were in hand for next month's Coronation festivities. Decorations were being erected in Bromsgrove, for which traders had chipped in £300 towards the cost, and in Rubery. A 16mm cine film was to be made of Bromsgrove's Coronation carnival
-
Date
Family pays tribute to bomb victim
THE Wychbold family of an American army veteran, killed in last week's Saudi Arabia suicide bombings are mourning his tragic death. Thirty-seven-year-old Todd Bair of Wychbold was described by his wife, Samantha as "the ideal husband and father" in a
-
Date
Homes group on brink of collapse
A DISILLUSIONED Droitwich resident claims a Spa housing association is folding through lack of community support. Chairman of Chawson Residents Association Doris Bowdler has dedicated her life to the group for the past three years but claims to be "fed
-
Date
A head for heights
STUDENTS and staff at Droitwich Spa High School have welcomed an ambitious new headteacher. A fresh face sits behind the headmaster's desk at the Briar Hill school - Mr Allan Foulds. He has stepped into the position previously held by Cledwyn Davies.
-
Date
Let Pauline put you in the picture
TOWN residents with a passion for contemporary art are being urged to attend an exhibition by a Spa artist this month. Pauline Reed of Tagwell Road is exhibiting a vibrant and unusual display of images, entitled 'Images and Extracts in Mixed Media' at
-
Date
Blitz on rubbish
GREEN, keen villagers from Wychavon were happy to get their hands dirty as part of a massive clean-up operation in the district. Tidy-minded residents from many parish councils in the area, including, Wychbold, Doverdale, Tibberton, Hanbury, Dodderhill
-
Date
Looking after our furry friends
FURRY hamsters, cuddly rabbits and cute guinea pigs were the centre of attention when an animal road show visited a Spa nursery. Youngsters were in their element when Wilsons Pet Centre visited Safehands Nursery in Old Coach Road last Tuesday (May 13)
-
Date
Having a field day
NATURE lovers braved the weather on Saturday to take a stroll through an ancient meadow. Eades meadow, near Hanbury is only open for one day a year because trampling feet could damage the rare flora. The meadow, which is now owned by the Worcestershire
-
Date
It's time to do the spadework
PROUD garden fanatics are being urged to grab a spade, don their gardening gloves and show off their floral creations in time for this year's Droitwich Spa in Bloom competition. The event, now in it's 15th year, is organised by Droitwich Spa Town Council
-
Date
Full of beans
TALENTED Spa students have been showcasing their artistic talents to proud parents at a Droitwich school. Youngsters from Whitford Hall and Dodderhill School, in Crutch Lane, took part in their rendition of the classic Jack and the Beanstalk for fellow
-
Date
Hill climb for Mason
REDDITCH will have to pull out the stops if they are to enjoy the Birmingham League Knockout Cup success they have had in recent seasons. Nev Mason's side have been drawn at home to Premier Division leaders Old Hill tonight (Wednesday, 6.30pm start).
-
Date
What's on guide
Wednesday, May 21 Dance: Dance Performance, Arena Theatre, Wulfrana Street, Wolverhampton, 1.15pm. Show: The Tales of Midas, mac, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, 7pm. Show: Miss Saigon, Hippodrome Theatre, Hurst Street, Birmingham. Until September 6. Show
-
Date
Bidford make belated start
BIDFORD pulled clear of the Cotswold Hills League Premier Division relegation zone with their first win of the season, at the weekend. The struggling visitors posted an impressive 191-4 and Broadway could only find 110-7 in reply. The result saw Bidford
-
Date
Charford course
RESIDENTS are invited to find out which colour suits them best on a new course being launched in Charford. The Multi Agency Resource Centre, in Humphrey Avenue, is holding the De-Clutter and Re-Colour course every Tuesday afternoon. Other subjects on
-
Date
Swinging into action
DRAYTON MANOR Family Theme Park opened its gates for a new action-packed, magical season back in March -- and it has been action ever since, especially with some of the park's newer attactions. Building on the successes of the stomach churning Maelstrom
-
Date
Thanks to all
I WAS unfortunate to be taken ill with a chest infection and was admitted to Worcestershire Royal Hospital. I'd like to express my appreciation of the excellent care and treatment I received from all the staff at MAU and Avon 1. I was very impressed by
-
Date
Cookhill off
Division Six newcomers and leaders Cookhill were frustrated at the weekend when their match against Harvington II was abandoned without a ball played. New captain Dave Whitehead has yet to play but his charges are 12 points ahead of third placed Woodbourne
-
Date
Wythall find life tough
NEWLY-promoted Wythall sit just four points above the trapdoor in Division Three after their match against Solihull Municipal was a washout on Saturday. Only two fixtures survived the weather and there was no play at Solihull. The Silver Street side are
-
Date
Ali living proof of war's futility
AFTER reading about Ali Abbas, I will be donating to his fund. By all accounts, the doctors treating him say he's doing well. However, due to one missile attack, this boy's life has been ruined beyond belief. Is it possible to imagine unending days lying
-
Date
League off
Worcestershire Division Five is 'as you were' with all five fixtures abandoned before the start of play. Hewell occupy the second promotion place, four points clear of Alvechurch and Hopwood III, and host Knighton-on-Teme (2pm start).
-
Date
Bromsgrove Photographic
From June 3, the club will be starting its summer programme, which will involve outings every Tuesday evening to take advantage of the light nights and to put the cameras to use before retiring for refreshments at a convenient hostelry. Full details of
-
Date
Droitwich Spa Inner Wheel
At the April meeting at the Raven Hotel, president Marion Neale welcomed members of the Rotary Club of Droitwich Spa. This joint meeting has become an annual event helping to promote friendship and fellowship between the two clubs. The Inner Wheel beetle
-
Date
SUDDEN URGE TO BUILD
BROMSGROVE builders are scrambling to secure permission to build new houses before planning officers put the brakes on future town developments. Elmsvyne is just one of the construction firms to lodge an application with Bromsgrove District Council after
-
Date
Makeover for middle school
A TOWN middle school is looking to the future after being chosen to take part in a school environment programme. Grounds of the future Catshill Middle school, in Meadow Road, has been designated as having 'school grounds for the future', which means its
-
Date
Hedge's in vow to keep growing
A CENTURY-old family firm has vowed to fight to keep going, after it was announced planning permission was being sought to demolish its premises. F. Hedges and Sons, lawnmower specialists based in Willow Road, have been inundated with words of support
-
Date
Rumble in the jungle
AN intrepid Rubery resident is preparing for a rumble in the jungle to boost the coffers of a children's charity. Tara Francis, of Woodham Close, is getting ready to jet off to the jungles of Borneo to raise cash for the Worcester-based Acorn's Children's
-
Date
Henderson heads table
BROMSGROVE rally driver Iain Henderson has moved to the top of the National Tarmacadam Championship table after success in the Isle of Man. Partnered in his MG ZR by co-driver Paul Farley, Henderson fought hard over the two-day event spanning 13 stages
-
Date
Champions again
BROMSGROVE School's U15s basketball team has been crowned county champions for the second year running. The Worcester Road school side defeated Kingsley College 73-44 last Wednesday to land the Worcestershire title after winning four matches. Manager
-
Date
Records set
TWO Bromsgrove cyclists recorded season best times in a 25-mile time trial. Chris Poole and Rob Cole, riding for Wyre Forest Cycle Racing Club, both set the times in the Mid Oxon time trial at Didcot last Sunday. Poole powered home in 1 hour 1 minute
-
Date
Sporty students striding
TWO sporty students from Droitwich Spa have taken huge strides towards a community award by attending a major event at Loughborough University. Stuart Brooks and James Earl, year 12 students at Spa's high school, in Briar Mill, attended the Step Into
-
Date
Darts winners
GREYHOUND won the Bromsgrove Ladies Darts League for 2003, pushing Catshill A into second and Turks Head into third. Division B was headed by Millfields C ahead of Clent C. Elsewhere, Catshill A won the league cup by defeating Millfields C and the Hospital
-
Date
Early morning crimebusters
Emily Bridgewater joins the police on Operation Acorn. . . WEDNESDAY morning, just after 6am and the mood in Bromsgrove police station can only be described as jovial. A gaggle of plain-clothed officers file into the station's conference room armed only
-
Date
Dad's child porn shame
A Redditch man who had been married for 30 years downloaded more than 1,000 indecent photographs of children on his home computer. Lee Murrow was caught in Operation Ore, a nationwide investigation to trap men viewing internet porn. Police found that
-
Date
21/5/03 - County are sent in to bat
WORCESTERSHIRE made a steady start after being put into bat by table-topping Gloucestershire in the Frizzell County Championship Division Two match at New Road today. Stephen Peters and Anurag Singh launched the Counties innings against the pace threat
-
Date
Knifeman threat at cashpoint
A MAN was threatened at knifepoint at a cashpoint outside Safeway on Sunday. The 25-year-old parked near the cash machines and noticed another man was using one of them, who then left in a blue car. The man withdrew £10 and as he was about to return to
-
Date
Muslim march honours birth
UP to 200 Muslims from across Redditch will march through the town centre on Sunday as part of an annual celebration. It will be the first time a procession will take place in Redditch to mark the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him.
-
Date
Piecemeal start for new food hall
A £1.5 million indoor food hall in the Kingfisher Centre is set to be opened a few stalls at a time from September 3, it has been revealed. Plans for the 23,000 sq ft food hall were first announced in June 2001 but work problems and the inability to fill
-
Date
Auction goes with a sparkle
THE hammer proved mightier than the sword after a hugely successful auction raised pots of cash for a Headless Cross church. About 200 items including pottery and porcelain, garden tools and furniture, came under the hammer of auctioneer Frank Langley
-
Date
Chip blaze
Two fire crews were called to a chip pan blaze at a house in Woodrow at about 8.40pm last Wednesday. Firefighters used breathing apparatus and a hose reel jet to extinguish the blaze in Bengrove Close.
-
Date
Village puts on its party best
THIS year's Astwood Bank Carnival has once again proved a huge success. Carnival spokesman Graeme Jones said Saturday's parade was a great attraction and the standard of entrants, floats, walkers, vintage vehicles and dressed windows were as high as ever
-
Date
Bus users warned of more cuts to service
MORE misery is on the way for Wythall bus users after it was revealed contracts for the 175 service through the village are to be terminated. In the latest bus bulletin released by Worcestershire County Council, the 175 service from Redditch to Wythall
-
Date
A golden birthday
CELEBRATIONS will come to Alvechurch Village Hall on Saturday as a Redditch group celebrates its 50th birthday. Past and present members of Arrow Valley Countryside Group are welcomed to enjoy the organisation's anniversary from 6.30pm for 7pm. Pre-booking
-
Date
Join the band
Youngsters will be able to blow their own trumpets by joining the Redditch Schools Concert Band which meets during term time. Anyone with a woodwind, brass or percussion instrument who has enthusiasm for music can join the group, which meets at Church
-
Date
Arrests made in raids
POLICE have carried out a series of drug raids on houses in Alcester. In the latest raid, four houses were targeted in the area of Ten Acres, Castle Road and Chapman Way yesterday morning after Alcester police acted on intelligence. Two arrests were made
-
Date
Driver had bad heart
A FORMER mayor of Redditch was delivering raffle tickets and a bottle of wine to a coffee morning when he suffered a heart attack and died, an inquest heard. Robert John Smith, 71, of Old Vicarage Gardens in Studley, was driving towards Evesham on the
-
Date
Carnival plea to bosses
A DESPERATE plea has been made to Redditch business people after the town's community carnival has again been cancelled. Because the event has been called off for the past few years, the committee has been unable to raise any funds and this year was faced
-
Date
Booms for the blooms
Arrow Valley Brass Band will be holding a concert in aid of Alcester in Bloom on Friday. The concert, at St Nicholas' Church, will start at 7.30pm and costs £5, including a cup of coffee. For tickets, call Alcester in Bloom chairman Maggie Payne on 01789
-
Date
Whole plan is so greedy
AS a resident of Birmingham Road, I was up till now reasonably sanguine about the prospect of the sports, leisure and entertainment complex proposed for the site of the Abbey Stadium. On the basis that Redditch would benefit from a development of this
-
Date
Snowdome is welcome
I WRITE in response to Mrs Davies' comments regarding the Abbey Stadium project (Advertiser, May 7). She claims the snowdome will bring outsiders to Redditch. Surely the whole purpose of this complex is to attract as many people as possible to make it
-
Date
Post offices can be saved
IF people want to ensure their local post office remains open, they must continue to use it for drawing pensions and benefits, either by cash over the counter or through a bank or building society which offers free cash withdrawals at the post office.
-
Date
Memories drummed up
THANKS to Colin Wheeler for his photo of the once very popular Redditch Charity Jazz Band, but the write-up for it was not quite correct. The Band's uniform changed from blue to red, not the other way about as stated. I played in it twice in the early
-
Date
Winners take it all
THE winners of tickets to the opening night of Miss Saigon at the Birmingham Hippodrome are Cliff Parsons, of Easemore Road, Riverside, Mrs B M Sperring, of Snowhill Close, Church Hill and Mrs T J Pickering, of Fulbrook Close, Church Hill. The winners
-
Date
Setting seal on display
ARTISTS young and old gathered at the Kingfisher Centre on Saturday to show members of the public their work. Redditch Art Circle held an exhibition in Worcester Square throughout the day, featuring the work of more than 100 of its talented group members
-
Date
Hear it now
There is a free way for visually impaired people to keep up to date with all the news in in the Advertiser. Redditch Talking Newspapers can supply blind or partially sighted people with audio tapes featuring news, views and features from the paper. For
-
Date
Feckenham Forest History Society
At their meeting on May 8, members of the Feckenham Forest History Society were treated to an imaginary walk over Bredon Hill by Deborah Overton, from Worcestershire Archaeological Service. Her talk on the Archaeology of Bredon Hill, that well-known local
-
Date
Hopwood WI
THE May meeting was to discuss three resolutions put forward by the National Federation. Ann Thurrell, president and delegate, will vote on the institute's behalf at the National Conference in June. The resolutions were: Concern over the diet and exercise
-
Date
Kingfisher WI
FOR our resolutions meeting, we had WIA Janet Clemas to guide us and as a result of that and some lively discussions, all three were passed. During our tea break, we held a bring-and-buy sale and did a brisk trade. When the birthday cards were given out
-
Date
Wythall Gardening Club
Speakers Rob and Dianne Cole were welcomed to the May 7 meeting. Rob gave an interesting and humorous talk on summer perennials, ably assisted by Dianne who operated the projector. The photography was excellent and they were both very knowledgeable on
-
Date
Readers vote to stop badger cull
STOP the badger slaughter - that was the verdict of readers who voted in our phone poll this week. Sixty-seven per cent of readers voted against the cull, which restarted this month in Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Thirty-three per cent voted to continue
-
Date
Persistent young offenders dealt with quickly
PERSISTENT young offenders are being hauled before the courts and dealt with in one of the quickest times in the country. Latest figures from the West Mercia Criminal Justice Board, show that the average time it takes to deal with a persistent young offender
-
Date
21/05/03 - It's Rooney for Rovers
GEORGE Rooney is the new manager of Bromsgrove Rovers. The worst kept secret in local football was confirmed last Thursday when the former Worcester City boss was named as successor to Gary Hackett and Jon Ford at the Victoria Ground. Rooney, who has
-
Date
Health complex boost
NEW plans for an ultra-modern health complex in Malvern have been drawn up after health chiefs' original plans encountered fierce opposition from the public. The centre could be built following a ground-breaking agreement between Malvern Hills District
-
Date
Research reveals all on pensions and youths
YOUNG people in Worcestershire are no longer relying on the Government to provide for them when they retire, but many of them think they can put off saving towards their own pensions. New research shows that only six per cent of the county's 18 to 25-
-
Date
Money back for families in fiasco
DOZENS of families could be entitled to compensation from the Inland Revenue after being plunged into debt by the tax credit fiasco. The Government launched the child tax credit and working tax credit means-tested benefits last month in a blaze of publicity
-
Date
Mothers fume as revenue bungles continue
A MOTHER-of-two says she is "furious" after her child tax credit claim was rejected on the basis that she earned £200,000 - almost 10 times her actual income. The 43-year-old, who did not wish to be named, said she was feeling "stressed" at being unable
-
Date
Green light likely for £50m facelift
A £50M transformation of an historic part of Worcester looks set to be approved despite objections to the demolition of part of the Victorian vinegar works. Plans to transform Lowesmoor Trading Estate into a major retail and leisure attraction were submitted
-
Date
Country night
A NIGHT of pure Country music is promised at a Droitwich Spa venue this Saturday. The End of the Trail Country Music Club has organised another double-bill extravaganza featuring Kalibre and Pure Country. The show, at the Royal British Legion Club, in
-
Date
Abba tribute in town
DANCING Queens are being urged to troop down to a Bromsgrove hotel for a memorable musical spectacular. A top tribute to Sweden's most famous export, Abba, will be raising the roof of the Bromsgrove Hilton Hotel on Friday, June 13. Mamma Mia, voted tribute
-
Date
'Keep recycle bags off kerb for now'
ENVIRONMENTALLY friendly residents keen to become involved in Worcester's new recycling scheme have been putting out their bags of cans, plastics and paper too soon. The kerbside collection scheme kicks off for those with a green label on the clear and
-
Date
Top band Kyro
ONE of the biggest successes of the Bromsgrove Festival fringe events was the Battle of the Bands competition. Around 300 people flocked to the Ryland Centre, in New Road, to watch the young and talented musicians battle it out for first place on Friday
-
Date
Firm's joy at tenth year of help
A CHARITY is celebrating its 10th anniversary of supporting and helping disadvantaged and vulnerable people. Onside Independent Advocacy ensures that people, whether they are elderly, disabled or suffering from an illness, have the opportunity to have
-
Date
Brass
BRASSED-off Spa residents looking for musical fun on a summer Sunday need look no further than the historic Lido Park. Droitwich Spa Town Council is sponsoring brass band concerts every other Sunday, starting this week. Highley Colliery band kick-off
-
Date
Lock your vehicles against thieves - warning
MOTORISTS must make sure their cars and vans are locked, police have warned after opportunist thieves struck in Wychbold. Thieves stole a whacker plate, a tool for flattening the ground, valued at £600 from a silver and grey LDV van. The van had been
-
Date
Putting the wiggle into Tina's tales
A BELLY dancer has charted the history of the ancient art form to show how a healthy "shake" has helped people throughout the ages. From fertility rights to glories of battle, a subtle wiggle can hold a thousand tales and author and practitioner Tina
-
Date
100 years ago
May 23, 1903 Trooper Albert Andrews, of the Warwickshire Yeomanry Cavalry, met with a rather nasty accident on Monday night upon returning to his home in Beoley Road from a parade in Henley-in-Arden. Somehow or other, he got thrown from his horse between
-
Date
Invitation to a walk
The 13th annual Alcester garden walkabout for Cancer Research UK is on Sunday, June 8. The walkabout, which has raised more than £15,000, takes place through more than 20 gardens, St Nicholas' Church and the town hall. It takes two hours and teas and
-
Date
25 years ago
May 19, 1978 Home Secretary Mr Merlyn Rees paid a surprise unannounced visit to the Redditch area last week. Mr Rees spent two hours talking to staff and inmates at Hewell Grange borstal at Tardebigge. Mr Rees said he had come to see the "neighbourhood
-
Date
Fall case adjourned
THE case of a bricklayer accused of grievous bodily harm after his partner fell from a second floor window has been adjourned again until June 2. Peter Harris, 51, is on conditional bail and under instruction not to contact Julie Taylor, 36, of Leamington
-
Date
Raids led to arrests
VIOLENT offenders, drug dealers and car criminals were targeted in a series of dawn raids in Redditch last Wednesday. Fourteen people were arrested following the raids, which were also carried out in Bromsgrove and Wyre Forest as part of Operation Acorn
-
Date
Motorist dies from DVT clot
A FORMER university student from Feckenham had his driving licence revoked following a collision which later resulted in another driver's death from deep vein thrombosis. Redditch Magistrates Court heard Thomas Kings, 20, of Droitwich Road, was on his
-
Date
Town clubs mourn death of sportsman
REDDITCH United chairman Neil Pagett has paid tribute to club stalwart Mick Langfield who died on Saturday night after a brain haemorrhage. Langfield joined the club in 1960 and served until his death as secretary and latterly, one of the club's three
-
Date
Stef set for wins
TOURING car hopeful Stefan Hodgetts has to deliver in the second weekend of the new Seat Cupra Championship at the weekend. The Headless Cross driver is in action on the Silverstone circuit where he works every day and has been bullish about his chances
-
Date
Mucci wants to overcome problems
Another driver well qualified on the Silverstone circuit is Hodgetts' colleague Enzo Mucci who is also racing on the circuit in the British GT Championship at the weekend. Mucci is one of two drivers who will complete a three hour endurance race for the
-
Date
Colin out to show Will-power
REDDITCH driver Colin Willmott is heading to Rockingham at the weekend for the next round of the MG Challenge hoping it will be third time lucky. Willmott failed to compete in the first round at Silverstone after breaking his drive shaft on the grid and
-
Date
Tin Man tumble halts good start
ASTWOOD Bank star Andy Tinsley's flying start to the National Superstocks Series came shuddering to a halt with his first DNF of the season. The Tin Man has never enjoyed the best of luck on the Scottish track but said he was looking forward to Round
-
Date
Bigg win for auto villagers
Inkberrow's Nigel Biggs won on home turf at Radford Autograss Club's second meeting of the season, near Westoll Hall Farm. Biggs won the unlimited cc Class 10 specials and Redditch's Gail Thompson beat Inkberrow's Gilly Garrett to win Class seven of the
-
Date
Alex set for MRI boost?
PATIENTS waiting for scans could be seen quicker if the Alexandra Hospital takes on a new piece of equipment. The hospital has been offered a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner by the Department of Health, which is looking for somewhere to house
-
Date
Keeping the ball rolling
FITNESS and fund-raising came together on Sunday as a group of 25 women undertook a three-hour sponsored aerobics session in aid of the baby unit at the Alexandra Hospital. The group, which is taught by Mandy Garratt and Diane Barlow at the Arrow Vale
-
Date
An invitation to support
Endometriosis sufferers interested in joining a support group in the area are invited to come forward. A group could be formed within Herefordshire and Worcestershire to share help and advice with others who have the debilitating illness and discuss the
-
Date
Up for cup
Studley youngsters will be taking part in a mini version of the FA Cup Final today. Boys from St Mary's Primary School qualified for the final of the Stratford District mini soccer tournament, which kicks off at 4.30pm at the Recreation Ground, Swans
-
Date
D-day for union
REDDITCH Credit Union, which is threatened with closure after Redditch Council pulled funding, will find out tonight if an appeal against the decision is successful. The union offers members the chance to make savings or take out loans if they do not
-
Date
More power awarded
MONDAY'S first full council meeting of the municipal year was at times a heated affair as the chairmen of various overview and scrutiny committees and regulatory committees were elected. A proposition by the Conservatives that the overview and scrutiny
-
Date
Resident livid at lamppost location
A DISPUTE over a lamppost looks unlikely to be resolved after a resident demanded one be moved from outside her house. Karen Matthews, of Millrace Road, Abbeydale, says Worcestershire County Council should pay to move the troublesome lamppost so she can
-
Date
Bypass in delay setback
EVEN if the cash were available now, work on building a Bordesley bypass could not start for years. The news may be a blow to Redditch Council chiefs forging ahead with the £50 million Abbey Stadium sports and entertainment complex - which they said would
-
Date
MP's PO support
REDDITCH MP Jacqui Smith dropped in to see new facilities at Greenlands Post Office on Friday as she continues to add her weight to the fight to retain in Headless Cross and St Georges post offices. Ms Smith has offered strong support to residents, especially
-
Date
Property move
MORE that 100 properties have been transferred into the ownership of Redditch Co-operative Homes (RCH) after it was designated a registered social landlord. In the last three years, RCH has helped develop and manage 133 homes across town but their ownership
-
Date
Fixtures
Saturday, May 24 CRICKET Birmingham & District Premier Division First XI - Himley v Barnt Green (1pm). First Division - Kidderminster v Bromsgrove (1pm). Worcestershire County League First XI Division One - Kington v Droitwich Spa (2pm). Division
-
Date
Seconds are rained off
WORCESTERSHIRE Seconds' match with Derbyshire at Ombersley was abandoned as a draw. The three-day Second XI championship encounter was called off last Friday. Earlier in the match, Steve Adshead hit a superb 161, including 27 fours and one six, in reply
-
Date
Workshop to reopen
A REDDITCH group is re-launching its weekly workshops for youngsters on Saturday after having to close them due to a lack of volunteers. Descendants of Windrush (DOW) is an African Caribbean group which was formed in 1998 and grew out of celebrations
-
Date
Boars face treble in busy holiday period
BROMSGROVE Cricket Club face three big games in three days over the Bank Holiday weekend. Nick Husbands' side travel to Kidderminster this Saturday and Sutton Coldfield next Monday. In between they host Old Hill in the third round of the National Knockout
-
Date
Croft hit by rain
AVONCROFT Cricket Club Seconds recorded a losing draw in a rain-reduced 34-over match at Claverley last Saturday. Claverley batted first and struggled to 102-7 with Croft youngster Adam Rodway taking 3-33 in ten overs. In reply, the visitors were in trouble
-
Date
Weather halts Spa
DROITWICH Spa Cricket Club Seconds have managed only two of four games this season due to rain. Spa's matches with Evesham and Old Luctonians were washed although they managed a seven-wicket victory against Ombersley and drew with Chaddesley Corbett.
-
Date
Green is double star
TOM Green was the star as Bromsgrove Cricket Club U15s won their opening two matches of the season. Green scored 24 not out of the 41 runs in Town's nine-wicket home victory against Feckenham in the Portman U15s knockout competition while captain Ben
-
Date
Be a pilgrim
The annual Bordesley Abbey pilgrimage will set off from St Stephen's Church on Tuesday, June 17. The walk will start at 7pm and a service will be held at the abbey's visitor centre at 7.30pm. Everyone is welcome to attend. For more details, call The Rev
-
Date
Trust stroll
Members of the Redditch branch of Worcestershire Wildlife Trust will be taking people on a stroll around Hewell Grange today from 7pm. For more details, call Patrick Taylor on 544277.
-
Date
Kick-off on for family activity
A PROJECT aimed at encouraging Batchley families to become more active is set to kick off on June 2. The Active Families scheme is aimed at people of all ages and abilities and is a way of bringing together the community to try new sports while offering
-
Date
County are sent in to bat
WORCESTERSHIRE made a steady start after being put into bat by table-topping Gloucestershire in the Frizzell County Championship Division Two match at New Road today. Stephen Peters and Anurag Singh launched the Counties innings against the pace threat
-
Date
Jenner wraps up his switch
JIM Jenner last night sealed his switch to Birmingham & Solihull, signing a one-year deal at the Sharmans Cross Road club. The number eight was unlikely to have been offered a full time Sixways deal and has decided to move on. "I've really enjoyed
-
Date
Record return at the college
THERE were a record 175 finishers to Worcester Triathlon Club's annual Spring Triathlon held at Malvern College. There was a tough course -- a 400-yard pool swim, the 25km bike course was twisty and undulating and the final 5km run had a long uphill start
-
Date
Double for Pershore 'B'
IN the Nationwide Doors & Windows Snooker & Billiards Leagues, all of the knockout tournaments have now finished. In snooker, Pershore B beat Westside A in the Thurston's Team Knockout Cup final, to achieve an unprecedented second consecutive
-
Date
An epic arrives
EPIC musical Miss Saigon arrives at the Birmingham Hippodrome on Thursday. The love story between an American GI and a young Vietnamese woman in the days leading up to the evacuation of Vietnam in 1975 has been become the third most successful British
-
Date
New chairman
Wythall Parish Council has a new chairman in the shape of Ron Hall. Mr Hall takes over from Sue Baxter and Councillor Ken Footman remains as vice-chairman.
-
Date
Return of the spirit
RETURNING to Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre by popular demand is international dance sensation Spirit of the Dance for two shows this weekend. The show, which is Irish in origin, has smashed box office records all over the world. And the production includes
-
Date
Die Another Day (12)
Three star IF I'd actually enjoyed this glossy Bond film, I would have given it the full five. Indeed, if I'd seen it on the big screen, and not on the television dwarfed by my bookcase, I might have been bowled over by the super-impressive action scenes
-
Date
Lou Reed NYC Man
Five star THIS is two CDs and 31 tracks of pure brilliance. It is the only evidence a court would need to convict Mr Reed of being a genius. The album is a collection of work from 1967 to the present day. Reed handpicked all the songs he wanted for this
-
Date
Measure for Measure Royal Shakespeare Theatre Stratford
ANYONE planning to see the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Measure for Measure this season should acquaint themselves with the story beforehand. For although it can be summed up in just a few paragraphs, the play is slow to get to the point.
-
Date
What's On Guide
Thursday, May 22 Wythall Theatre Company: Silly Cow. Palace Theatre. Until May 24. Tickets from 65203. The Master Builder, Festival Theatre, Malvern. Until May 24. Tickets from 01684 892277. Animal Farm, Main House, Birmingham Repertory Theatre. Until
-
Date
It's Rooney for Rovers
GEORGE Rooney is the new manager of Bromsgrove Rovers. The worst kept secret in local football was confirmed last Thursday when the former Worcester City boss was named as successor to Gary Hackett and Jon Ford at the Victoria Ground. Rooney, who has
-
Date
Bowen and Wyatt sign up for Rovers
STRIKER Sam Bowen and goalkeeper Paul Wyatt have become George Rooney's first two signings as manager of Bromsgrove Rovers. The pair, who both played for Rooney at Worcester City, put pen to paper at the Victoria Ground on Monday night and are likely
-
Date
Swifts lose final
CALLOWBROOK Swifts U10s A narrowly missed out on a league and double with defeat in the Central Warwickshire Youth League Cup final. Swifts, who won the Central Warwickshire Youth League division D championship scoring 60 goals in 18 matches, were beaten
-
Date
Angling round-up
EXTENSIVE tests carried out by CEFAS (Centre for Environment, Fisheries, Agriculture Science) following problems at Woodlands View Fishery have discovered a strain of SVC, which saw a percentage of the resident large Carp die. However, the majority of
-
Date
Where to fish
WATERS booked by the Birmingham Anglers Association. Thursday, May 22. B'ham/Worcester Br. 44-45. Saturday, May 24. Pools - Stubbs pegs 1-20, Nordley Nos 1, 2. Canals - B'ham/Worc. Br. 55-56 Staffs/Worester Br. 7-8. Sunday, May 25. Pools - Uckinghall
-
Date
Cage is cruelty towards pigs
DEAR EDITOR -- I have recently became aware of a shocking example of the cruelty of factory farming - the pig farming crate, a metal cage in which sows are confined a week before giving birth and remain imprisoned until her piglets are three to four weeks
-
Date
Unwrapping a better future?
DEAR EDITOR -- As a local employer I was also surprised at the reaction of schools to the collection of Cadbury wrappers for sports equipment. Most schools collected supermarket vouchers for equipment. Why is it a crime now to pick up old chocolate wrappers
-
Date
Service was 'par excellence'
DEAR EDITOR -- Some weeks ago you printed an article in the Advertiser/Messenger concerning the generosity of a local firm in repairing and recovering a number of armchairs for a Bromsgrove charity. Because of this article I contacted J's Furnishings
-
Date
Sacking was a surprise
DEAR EDITOR -- Why has Tom Herbert sacked Gary Hacket and Jon Ford as managers? I think they have done a wonderful job throughout the season, finishing third in the league, which I believe is a great achievement considering they have had no reserve team
-
Date
25 years ago May 19, 1978
THE recent resurgence of interest in Bromsgrove's ancient Court Leet was demonstrated at its annual spring court when a record five new jurymen were sworn in. It prompted senior member and past Bailiff Mr W Weaver to remark he had never known so many.
-
Date
100 years ago May 23, 1903
LONG awaited improvements to Birmingham Road from the new asylum gates at Barnsley Hall to the Plough Inn at the Whetty in Rubery were announced. The sides would be edged in stone and channelled to take away storm water at a cost of £300. The Messenger
-
Date
Diamond brings a sparkle to the Spa
MUMS were treated to a visit by TV presenter Anne Diamond, who popped in to open a new family advice centre. Scores of Spa parents turned out to see Anne , famed for BBC's Good Morning alongside Nick Owen, unveil Westlands new WANDS centre in Farmer's
-
Date
County splash £1m on canal
THE multi-million pound canal project, set to put the Spa back on the map, has received a cash injection of £1m from Worcestershire County Council. It was decided at the authority's County Hall cabinet meeting in Worcester on Thursday (May 15). Droitwich
-
Date
Secret talks over travellers' camp
POLICE held a meeting behind closed doors to discuss the settlement of Irish travellers on a paddock near Droitwich Spa on Monday. Different organisations and councillors met in the old town library for talks on the camp set up on private land, owned
-
Date
Hero cop up for bravery award
A HEROIC police officer, based at a station near Droitwich Spa, is nominated for a national police bravery award. Pc Ian Fielding, a member of the West Mercia's road policing support team, based at headquarters in Martin Hussingtree is this year's nomination
-
Date
Treasure trove
SPA victims of recent shed and garden raids should study this photo very carefully. Police have unveiled a haul of outdoor ornaments and plant pots found following the arrest of two men in connection with thefts in Droitwich, Feckenham and Hartlebury.
-
Date
21/5/03 - Jenner wraps up his switch
JIM Jenner last night sealed his switch to Birmingham & Solihull, signing a one-year deal at the Sharmans Cross Road club. The number eight was unlikely to have been offered a full time Sixways deal and has decided to move on. "I've really enjoyed
-
Date
21/5/03 - Coaches set to sign new deals
CECIL Duckworth believes John Brain and Andy Keast are on the verge of committing for another season. Worcester Rugby Club's chairman met with the Sixways coaches yesterday over one-year extensions to their current deals that are due to run out at the
-
Date
Studley through instead of rivals
STUDLEY eased into the second round of the Birmingham League Challenge Cup Knockout after opponents Stratford withdrew. The struggling Division One side were set to visit Washford Fields for their round one tie tonight (Wednesday) but were unable to raise
-
Date
Exhall cup date
Twyning's match at home to Exhall and Wixford was one of several hit by wet weather at the weekend. Both sides were awarded five points because there was no play. Exhall and Wixford will have their minds on the National Village Knockout on Sunday. The
-
Date
Alcester hang on
Alcester and Ragley Park held on to the top berth in Cotswold Division One despite losing at home to Earlswood. The visitors racked up 191-7 and with Alcester all out for 137 the Ragley Park side took a meagre five points. The victors climbed to second
-
Date
21/5/03 - Barton chasing three new players
WORCESTER City manager John Barton is currently in talks with three players. The St George's Lane boss reports negotiations are progressing well but said they are still at a relatively early stage. "We have been talking to two or three players and are
-
Date
Baby boom is on safari
STAFF at West Midland Safari Park have seen an unprecedented baby boom over the last few weeks which just adds to the array of new species that were introduced at the park this year. Among the new arrivals are a pair of two week old pygmy goats, a young
-
Date
Another Great result
Great Alne's rise up the league appears set to continue after another weekend win. The newly-promoted side top Division Four after convincingly seeing off Rowington II on Saturday. Rowington were bowled out for 98 and Craig Millard's side responded by
-
Date
Henry's six glamourous wives boost tourism at Sudeley castle
THE TOURIST industry is hoping for a major boost due to the 400th anniversary of the death of Queen Elizabeth I Queen Elizabeth I died in spring 1603 and for many people with an interest in British history, the Elizabethan era is a particularly popular
-
Date
These callers make me rude
COUNTERPOINTS (Evening News, Thursday, May 1) writes of "cold callers". Nowadays, when someone calls trying to persuade me to change my gas or electricity supplier, I'm abrupt to the point of rudeness. Otherwise they go on and on. GEORGE COWLEY, Worcester
-
Date
Good news about the infernal euro... will PM notice?
THERE was news last week that will warm the cockles of every English heart. Fifty-six per cent of us are opposed to the infernal euro. Isn't that splendid news? It explains the jiggery-pokery of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's 'five tests'. They won't
-
Date
Bank ready for the cup
ASTWOOD Bank will have to overturn the odds at the weekend if they are to fly the flag for the Crusader League in the regional semi final of the National Village Knockout Cup. The Bank, who beat Elmley Castle in the last round, visit Worcestershire League
-
Date
Witton WI
How do you fancy taking a car and caravan through Europe and Asia, and on to India? Our speaker this month did just that, and illustrated the events with slides. Ed Shore took his wife on the 'journey of a lifetime', which included getting stuck in sand
-
Date
Heart-felt thanks... from the secretary!
I WAS heartened to read E F Showell's letter concerning a meeting of the West Midlands Regional Assembly at University College Worcester. It's good to see residents taking a keen interest in local governance, and I'm grateful E F Showell brought it to
-
Date
How healthy is NHS under New Labour?
FULL marks for Charles Entwhistle's letter (You Say, Tuesday, May 13). At last, someone who knows the NHS from the inside has blown a few cobwebs away. The finest achievement of that first post-war Labour government has always been flawed. Michael Foot
-
Date
Town ale passes the taste test
A TOWN CENTRE pub has played host to a time-honoured beer ritual. The ancient Court Leet and Court Baron of Bromsgrove Richman's Club declared the pub fit to serve fine ales in a traditional ceremony dating back to 1199 and the reign of King John. The
-
Date
Austin's office goes on show
THE office of a pioneering Bromsgrove man, kept from public view for 60 years, is to be revealed for the first time as part of MG Rover's centenary celebrations. Top TV detective John Nettles, star of Midsommer Murders, recently unveiled a recreation
-
Date
Rovers' ground saga resurfaces
TALKS are taking place aimed at relocating Bromsgrove Rovers to a new ground off the A38 by-pass on land purchased last year for close on £500,000, it was claimed this week. Councillor Peter McDonald (Waseley), the leader of the opposition Labour group
-
Date
Concern over third cell death at prison
A MAN has been found hanged at Blakenhurst prison, Tardebigge, the third death of its kind there in as many months. Twenty-four-year-old Ian Price was taken to Redditch's Alexandra Hospital on May 13 and then transferred to Selly Oak hospital, Birmingham
-
Date
Jokers having the last laugh
A HORSE even the trainer said not to back in her first race, has doubled the money of a Droitwich Spa syndicate. Droitwich Jokers, based at the Star and Garter pub, in High Street, put up £4,000 to buy Blakeshall Quest in February. Since then, she has
-
Date
Parents face fines
A BROMSGROVE headteacher has backed the hefty fines and prison sentences, which could face parents allowing their children to persistently play truant from school. Phil McTague of South Bromsgrove High School spoke to the Advertiser/Messenger yesterday
-
Date
Crying his heart out
TOWN crier Kevin Ward bellowed the brilliance of Bromsgrove and came 16th in the world championships in Newquay, Cornwall. Kevin cried three times during the competition and for his first cry he encouraged visitors to come to Bromsgrove, with a shout
-
Date
Sex shop bid is dropped
PLANS to convert a derelict Rednal property into a sex shop have been abandoned. The scheme to transform the Bristol Road South building into a store selling sexually explicit material had prompted a wave of protests from residents. They were particularly
-
Date
John beats Woods
DROITWICH Spa golf ace John Bickerton finished ahead of Tiger Woods and pocketed £20,000 by finishing joint 20th at the Deutsche Bank Open. Bickerton fired four under par 68 in his final two rounds to end on 11 under, one shot ahead of world number one
-
Date
Races could land awards
THE members race at next Monday's Albrighton Woodland fixture at Chaddesley Corbett will have a direct bearing on the destiny of several awards at the last meeting to be staged in the West Midlands during 2003, writes Pete Mansell. Jane Williams is still
-
Date
Third place
BROMSGROVE Swimming Club finished third at their latest graded sprint gala. The club were pushed into third after some swimmers were disqualified for exceeding set times. Philippa Thomas took the U10s 50m backstroke in the opening event last Saturday
-
Date
Cup winners
TABLE tennis cup winners for 2003 in the Bromsgrove and Redditch and District League. Clements Brothers Cup Winners - Lickey Monarchs; Runners-up - Astwood Bank. Field And Son Cup Winners - Barnt Green Sports 'B'; Runners-up - Carer Retail 'C'. Albert
-
Date
Angels with attitude
FUN-LOVING divas were kept out of trouble with a host of exciting activities at the town's Ryland Centre. More than 300 young women, aged between 12 and 16, flocked to the New Road centre for the Angels with Attitude day, which ran from 11am and 3pm.
-
Date
Spoiling it for all
VANDALS wrecked all the hard work involved in a community project to give Batchley Pool a facelift just hours after it was finished. The makeover had involved clearing out the pool, planting new shrubs and replacing broken tiles. Residents and volunteer
-
Date
'In memory of pops' - Hannah's race tribute
A LITTLE girl will spend her birthday running a charity race in memory of her grandfather. Eight-year-old Hannah Taylor will wear a pink sticker on her back saying "in memory of pops" as she pounds Worcester's streets on Sunday, June 15, in the annual
-
Date
Building on fire
A FIRE broke out at a derelict building near Redditch railway station on Monday. Firefighters were called at about 3.30pm and Sub Officer Bob Morris said the job proved 'troublesome' because of its location.
-
Date
Jail review after third cell death
CUSTODY procedures at Blakenhurst Prison are to be reviewed after a prisoner was found hanged just six weeks after two other men were discovered hanging in their cells. Ian Thomas Price, 24, from the West Midlands area, was found hanging from a bed frame
-
Date
Teacher levels at all-time high
REDDITCH MP Jacqui Smith has praised new school figures which reveal teacher levels across the county to be at a record high. The county council figures showed teacher numbers had risen by 569 since 1999, while teacher salaries had gone up by nearly 27
-
Date
Just like Mummy made
THE Old Library Restaurant will be transformed into a house of horror where evening diners will be offered a taste of Transylvanian terror. The event, organised by NEW College hospitality management students, takes place at the Church Green restaurant
-
Date
It's Rooney for Rovers
GEORGE Rooney is the new manager of Bromsgrove Rovers. The worst kept secret in local football was confirmed last Thursday when the former Worcester City boss was named as successor to Gary Hackett and Jon Ford at the Victoria Ground. Rooney, who has
-
Date
Canal boat drama is a cut above
TARDEBIGGE children witnessed scenes from life aboard a canal boat in the 1950s as part of British Waterways educational initiative Harry's Cut. The event took place at Tardebigge New Wharf last week and was supported by Worcestershire Embark and the
-
Date
Church plans go on show
A MODEL and drawings outlining a proposed upgrade of Alvechurch Baptist Church were displayed at a spring fair on Saturday. Visitors to the fair were invited to look at the plans, which include providing new and disabled toilets, new kitchen facilities
-
Date
Health chief's pledge
THE chief executive of South Warwickshire Primary Care Trust has sought to allay fears about delays to Alcester Hospital. In an exclusive interview with the Chronicle, chief executive Catherine Griffiths said the scheme was still a priority. Fears were
-
Date
Councillors vow to fight for business
Alcester is losing its fight to expand the town's employment opportunities after Stratford Council rejected an amendment to the revised draft of the local plan. But councillors have vowed to take the battle higher - maybe even to the Deputy Prime Minister
-
Date
Angry and hurt at crash rebuke
IT was with great interest that I read your article (Steel lorry in accident, Advertiser May 14). I would like to put the matter straight about the actual roadside assistance. I was a main witness, actually following behind the cars involved. I have taken
-
Date
It's courses for horses!
THERE was no time for horsing around for Redditch Fire Brigade's White Watch when they completed some rather specific rescue training. The firefighters were shown how to rescue horses from various situations by experts at Beoley Equestrian Centre. Led
-
Date
Protest was appalling
I AM writing with regards to the appalling behaviour of the so-called animal rights protesters outside KFC on Saturday, May 10. I can fully appreciate their need to express their views with regards to animal cruelty and would not stand in the way of anyone
-
Date
Top award for Emma
A REDDITCH athlete with outstanding achievements in disability sports was celebrating recently after being handed a Sportswoman of the Year award. Emma Stockton received the award from the npower Disability Sports Awards organised by the English Federation
-
Date
Don't ignore our crossing!
I WAS very pleased when I found out a zebra crossing was to be installed in Beoley village to help children and parents cross safely to and from the school and nursery. It has now been in place for some months and I am amazed at the number of blind motorists
-
Date
A groundless accusation
WORCESTERSHIRE County Council has been wrongly accused of withholding £3.7 million from schools' budgets and of 'shifting' £4.6 million education budget into capital projects. Education Secretary Charles Clarke and Worcester MP Mike Foster are distorting
-
Date
Mayor leaves council
IT was all change at the first Alcester Town Council meeting after the elections. Four new faces around the table included David Rose, Shahid Juned, Nina Knapman and Liz Savage. Former mayor Ron Leek and Keith Greenaway both lost out in the polls. Deputy
-
Date
Woman, 83 is conned by a 'friend'
AN 83-year-old Alcester woman was conned out of £40, bank cards and four rings by a woman pretending to be an old friend. The middle-aged woman pushed her way into the pensioner's home in Priory Road at about 11.30am on Thursday and even offered to peel
-
Date
Schools are top of class
TWO Alcester primary schools have been recognised for improving achievement with a Government award. St Faith's Junior School and Alcester Infants School received letters saying they would be receiving money, to be given to staff, for either substantially
-
Date
Record set in desecration
TO all Redditch residents, is this a record? A shiny new bus shelter with seats installed on Studley Road (although the actual use of the bus stop meant one was not really required). After just one day, the first graffiti appeared followed quickly by
-
Date
Treatment was a treat
I WRITE to congratulate the A&E team at the Alexandra Hospital on the excellent service they provided when I visited recently with a head injury. I felt very welcome and at ease and thought that all of the members of staff I spoke to acted in an impeccably
-
Date
Weaving its way to future success
A CARPET manufacturer is strengthening its position in the marketplace with the purchase of a weaving company. Brintons Limited, world leaders in the manufacture of traditionally woven carpets, has acquired the share capital of Woodward Grosvenor Holdings
-
Date
Blanket coverage on good ideas
A MALVERN company is making the most of a new fund designed to promote technology. Cellpharm, on Malvern Hills Science Park, makes bioreactors that help to make algae for fish farms and other businesses in the aquaculture market throughout the world.
-
Date
Clothing boom in city's M&S branch
WORCESTER'S Marks & Spencer has had a "terrific year", reflecting national figures that show profits for the High Street retailer rose by 11.5 per cent. Both men's and women's clothes have been doing particularly well in the Faithful City, driven
-
Date
Relief as boy found
A 14-year-old boy who had been missing for 24 hours has been found safe and well. Concerns were growing for the safety of Lee Cotton. But a police spokesman said officers found him near shops on Evesham Road at 11.15am yesterday. He said he had stayed
-
Date
Time change at YMCA
Redditch YMCA's parent and toddler group has a new time slot from Monday, June 2. Sessions will take place from 10am-noon and youngsters will be able to enjoy a bouncy castle, arts and crafts, dressing-up clothes and a soft play area. Entry is £1.20 with
-
Date
Gardeners gear up for challenge
ITS time for those green-fingered residents to show people what they are made of during the Redditch Best Garden Competition 2003. Categories in this year's competition include general garden, water garden, containers and hanging baskets, recent makeover
-
Date
Alcester Conservative Ladies' Luncheon Club
AT the May meeting, members were fascinated by a talk by Ralph Richardson on 'The Campden Wonder', the events of which took place between 1660 -1662. Viscount Campden died in 1660, leaving Lady Campden, whose steward William Harrison was the subject of
-
Date
Crabbs Cross & Hunt End WI
THE May meeting was chaired by president Hilary Taylor, safely returned from her holiday in New Zealand. Jumpers and blankets had been sent out to the Gambia via Jackie Gregory and members who had attended the Webheath Group meeting reported how enjoyable
-
Date
Ipsley WI
The May meeting of Ipsley WI proved interesting. Members Lorna White, Sheila Darby and Judith Scott presented the resolutions to be voted on at the Annual General Meeting at the Albert Hall in June. These were on 'Obesity and diet related health problems
-
Date
St Mary's Wives
VICE-president Miriam Knowles welcomed 51 members to the group meeting on April 24. Details of the May ramble and summer outing to Sulgrave Manor were given. Speaker Chris Ball, a solicitor and deputy coroner for Birmingham, gave a very interesting, informative
