Archive

Date

Ott spot on to secure key victory

AN EXCELLENT try from Dan Ott helped Bromsgrove claim a morale-boosting victory over their Finstall Park visitors. Dave Wilkinson and Nick Copson also went over for the home side but it was centre Ott who rounded things off, showing a clean pair of heels

Date

Bonn voyage for U17s fencers

THREE fencers have been handed the chance to represent their country. Matthew Edgar, Simon Holburn and Chris Taylor, all pupils at Bromsgrove School, have been named in the Great Britain U17s Epee squad. The trio will be among around 200 fencers competing

Date

Zoe scoops top prize

THE organisers of a major poetry festival in Ledbury have announced the winners of its annual competition. Ten-year-old Zoe Duffy, from Much Cowarne, near Withington, Herefordshire, scooped first prize in the children's category with her poem The Raspberry

Date

Disgust as nine dogs abandoned on one day

DOG owners in Droitwich are being urged not to abandon their best friends after nine were picked up in the area in just one day. Wychavon District Council's dog wardens collected the dogs from Droitwich, Broadway, Pershore, Ombersley and Evesham after

Date

Czech music

BROMSGROVE'S Spadesbourne Suite, in Burcot Lane, will be resonating to the harmonious classical music of the Skampa Quartet from the Czech Republic this Friday. It is the first in the series of Bromsgrove Concerts to be held each Friday at 8pm. Composer

Date

Police set to name dead man

Police are expected to reveal this afternoon the identity of a man found dead in the River Teme, near Eastham Bridge, Tenbury Wells on Monday night. Environment Agency staff had been working on the river during the day and, in mid-afternoon, discovered

Date

Attack appeal

POLICE in Worcester are appealing for witnesses after two men pushed a third man over a wall in Bromyard Road, St John's and unsuccessfully tried to steal his wrist-watch. It happened about 100 yards from The Garibaldi public house and 300 yards from

Date

Warning over home security

HOUSEHOLDERS are being warned by Redditch police to take extra care with their home security following a burglary in Hillmorton Close between midnight and 8am on Friday. Thieves went into the house and stole a wallet and a school bag while the occupants

Date

Pusher remanded

A 26-year-old man caught in a police operation to crack down on heroin dealing in Redditch has been remanded in custody by a judge. Stephen Burford, of Yew Tree Road, Smethwick, Birmingham, admitted three counts of supplying undercover officers with heroin

Date

This one is going straight for success

Review - Going Straight at the Festival Theatre, Malvern (until Saturday, October 16) ONCE again Malvern theatregoers can feel themselves privileged to be able to attend a wonderful world premiere - this time a new play from Richard Harris that was embarking

Date

Don't let these people vanish

CHILD sex abuse crimes are among the most abhorrent in our society. For the vast majority of the population, adults who use their power - physical or psychological - over vulnerable youngsters are deemed to be the lowest of the low. Lock them up, goes

Date

Jones puts foot on gas

Redditch 6 Barlaston 0 REDDITCH hockey coach Neil Jones pulled off a masterstroke even before a ball was flicked on Saturday. For he ordered his high-flying troops to hit Barlaston early after they arrived at Bromsgrove Road 40 minutes late following

Date

Alex beating the superbug

THE Alexandra Hospital's thorough screening for superbug MRSA has led to the orthopaedic wards having one of the lowest infection rates in the country. And there is more good news for the hospital as work on building a £1 million state-of-the-art orthopaedic

Date

Friends draw up a wish list

A HUGE shopping list compiled by the League of Friends at the Alexandra Hospital means frantic fundraising must begin. Every year, the league spends countless thousands on numerous vital pieces of equipment for the hospital. One of the main purchases

Date

Help get campaign licked

BUSINESSES and individuals in Redditch are being asked to give their stamp of approval to a fundraising drive by the League of Friends. Every year, the league receives thousands of donated stamps which it can then convert into cash. Up until August, the

Date

It's not so devine for 'Church. . .

Coalville 4 Alvechurch 1 ALVECHURCH manager Peter Frain has instigated a club inquest this week to determine why his side has become so inconsistent this season. The Churchmen snatched a morale-boosting draw against Chasetown last week, thanks to Simon

Date

Boss Adams bemoans scoreline

Feckenham 1 Coleshill 3 FECKENHAM boss Lee Adams felt this scoreline never reflected his struggling Midland Combination Premier Division side's endeavours on Saturday. The Millers went a goal up through Ryan Field's strike after some good work from Steve

Date

Cool Cross seal it

Rae Valley Ladies 0 Headless Cross Ladies 2 DESPITE missing several key players, Headless Cross were too strong for Rae Valley as they came away with a well deserved 2-0 win. In a tight first-half, player of the match Denise Markham's shot - which was

Date

PAEDOPHILE ON RUN WITH WIFE AND KIDS

THE family of a woman who vanished with a convicted sex offender and their three young children has launched a desperate bid to track them down. John Murrell, with his wife Catherine, disappeared following his release from prison after serving one year

Date

I declare this health centre open!

A NEW multi-million pound GP centre has officially been opened in Worcester. The new £2m Henwick Halt Medical Centre was opened yesterday by the Government's Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Prof Aidan Halligan, who unveiled a special plaque. However, there

Date

Watch out, there's fake notes about...

SHOPKEEPERS have been forced to be extra vigilant as fake £10 and £20 notes have been circulating in Ronkswood. Over the last week, two shopkeepers the Worcester suburb have been handed the counterfeits across the counter. Now they are warning other traders

Date

Join in the Search for Sold contest

FABULOUS prizes from Debenhams worth £2,000 are on offer to lucky Evening News readers every day for the next seven weeks in our brand new competition Search for Sold. From tomorrow, one lucky winner from each day will not only win one of the great prizes

Date

Hecuba comes to the Palace

GREEK tragedy comes to the Palace Theatre tomorrow with Forsight Theatre's production of Hecuba. Written by Euripides two and a half thousand years ago, the play still has a storyline with particular relevance to today's political climate. The new translation

Date

Man hanged himself after row with girl

A YOUNG mountaineer hanged himself from a tree after an argument with his girlfriend, an inquest heard yesterday. James Holmes, of Salamanca Drive, Brockhill Village, Norton, died on Christmas Eve last year at the home of his partner Georgina Payne, of

Date

Class production on way

A NOSTALGIC trip back in time to the classroom is coming to Worcester's Swan Theatre from Monday, with Teechers, written by former teacher and Grange Hill scriptwriter John Godber. The Hull Truck Theatre production has brought the classic play back as

Date

Play your part to stamp out this despicable crime

POLICE are calling on communities across the two counties to help them net "callous" thieves who trick their way into homes to steal cash and valuables. West Mercia police has launched a major crackdown on distraction burglars who mostly prey on the elderly

Date

What's On Guide

Thursday, October 14 Forsight Theatre: Hecuba, Palace Theatre. Tickets from 65203. The Crucible by Arthur Miller, Birmingham Repertory Theatre. Until October 23. Tickets from 0121 236 4455. Going Straight, Festival Theatre, Malvern. Until October 16.

Date

Listen out for singers

KINGSLEY College's Theatre is the venue for Arrow Vale Singers' Annual Autumn Concert on Saturday at 7.30pm. Tickets are £7 with accompanied children free, available on the door at the Woodrow venue, or they can be bought in advance from Christine Parkinson

Date

Ali to help his country defend title

KABIR Ali has retained his place in England's Hong Kong Sixes squad. The Worcestershire paceman, who played a prominent role in England's tournament victory last year, travels again with the party which is led by Matthew Maynard. Ali was the joint top

Date

Pieters waiting for debut

JOHN Brain has revealed that it is "unlikely" that Giscard Pieters will play against Gloucester. Worcester Warriors' director of rugby will put the finishing touches to the South African's move to Sixways today. But because the winger has not been involved

Date

Penalty woe wrecks Titterton's century

DAVE Titterton's 100th match in charge of Stourport Swifts ended in disappointment after dominating their Staffordshire Senior Cup match only to lose 5-4 to Sutton Coldfield Town in a penalty shoot-out. The visitors took the lead in the tenth minute after

Date

Holmes a clear winner to take gold medal for GB

WORCESTER paddler Ben Holmes collected a canoeing gold medal for Great Britain Under 16s in France. Competing on the Loire in central France he raced more than 14 miles with a partner from Leighton Buzzard. The pair took a clear lead over all crews, winning

Date

United skipper Taylor is 'okay'

COACH Gary Whild has allayed fears that influential Redditch United skipper Mark Taylor could be out of action after Saturday's red-hot encounter at Bradford Park Avenue. Taylor failed to re-appear after the break, following a crude sliding challenge

Date

Contribution

ON behalf of our stallholders at St Peter's Fair the previous weekend at St.Peter's school, Droitwich Spa, I want to thank the many contributors - from retailers in the High St and Salter's Precinct, and St Andrew's Street. Their generosity made a big

Date

Generosity

A MASSIVE thanks to all that generously donated and supported the Girls Big Night in Tickled Pink Party on October 2. We aimed to raise funds for Breast Cancer Care through a night of pampering, a mini auction and a raffle. This was a first and joint

Date

Hard to park

CONGRATULATIONS to Bromsgrove District Council. Since restricting and prohibiting station traffic from parking at the lower end of New Road, you have sucessfully moved this traffic to the surrounding side roads. Rigby Lane in particular now suffers as

Date

Opportunism

I REFER to the article in the paper of September 29 with regards to the Oakall residents' problems in Bromsgrove. Councillor Spencer says she is angry at what appears to be "party political opportunism". My colleagues and I wish to point out that we are

Date

Sort it out

I HAVE read that the deadline for full implementation of the recycling scheme in Bromsgrove is March 2005 It would seem that the council have a few problems of their own to sort out. Also they said that complaints from the public have dwindled well this

Date

Hands on

Redditch 18 Handsworth 5 Redditch faced a stern test of their North Midlands One credentials when they faced a well-organised Handsworth team. Some weak scrummaging and poor tackling enabled Handsworth to lay seige to the Redditch line. But Redditch broke

Date

Alcester sink lower as injuries take tolll

Harbury 25 Alcester 5 UNDER-STRENGTH Alcester slipped into the Warwickshire League Division One relegation zone with this defeat to Harbury. However, they did win their fair share of line out ball, principally through middle jumper Phil Birks. But, against

Date

Results

North Mids One: Cleobury 10 Stourbridge Lions 8; Kings Norton 28 Birmingham CS 7; Redditch 18 Handsworth 5; Upton 26 Birmingham Exiles 5. Warwickshire One: Coventry Welsh 13 Rugby St A 14; Harbury 25 Alcester 5; Old Wheats 10 Dunlop 29; Trinity Guild

Date

End of the 'holey war'

A CONTINUING report on my 'Holey War'. Driving through Barnt Green recently I saw the pot-hole repair men. They were repairing holes on Barnt Green Road and I decided to monitor my pot hole to see if they would repair it. Later that morning I saw them

Date

Pace change

'INTELLIGENT politicians not only give thought to policy development and formulation but even greater careful thought to the possible outcomes of their policy decisions.' The number of times that I have used those words in press letters! At nudging 78

Date

Hard to park

CONGRATULATIONS to Bromsgrove District Council. Since restricting and prohibiting station traffic from parking at the lower end of New Road, you have sucessfully moved this traffic to the surrounding side roads. Rigby Lane in particular now suffers as

Date

Touchy topic

IT is in no one's interest to have unrestricted immigration in this country. This subject is controversial but some one has to talk about doing something to avert a catastrophe. We still hopefully have freedom of speech in this country. It seems only

Date

Sort it out

I HAVE read that the deadline for full implementation of the recycling scheme in Bromsgrove is March 2005 It would seem that the council have a few problems of their own to sort out. Also they said that complaints from the public have dwindled well this

Date

Could be an early night for all

A DRAMA group will be getting an early night when they perform Alan Ayckbourn's Bedroom Farce at the Beacon Church Centre on Whetty Lane. Rubery Drama Group, who have been going for more than 50 years, are showing the three-bedroomed play on Thursday

Date

Put pet in the picture

ANIMAL lovers with an arty streak can combine their passions with a demonstration of 'pet portraiture' by Eric Watson for Bromsgrove Art Club. Budding artists will enjoy the display by Eric, who, using mixed media, aims to ensure the character and personality

Date

Bollywood Fame

FAB! - the Fame Academy Bollywood is back for the second phase in Birmingham. Sampad is once again running this singing, song writing and performance project but this time it's even bigger and better than before. The participants have been selected and

Date

Bromsgrove Railway Club

LOCAL Railways in Colour is the title of our next meeting. This is a slide presentation with Redditch-based Audie Baker. Audie is involved at Kidderminster Railway Museum with the archiving of photographs and this is going towards their collection. The

Date

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution - Bromsgrove branch

OUR annual two-day collection took place in September outside Morrisons in Bromsgrove. A total of £769 was raised for which we thank the generosity of the Bromsgrove shoppers. We hold our monthly meetings at Bromsgrove School and after a splendid dinner

Date

A little imagination...

TELEPHONE masts on our Cathedral Plaza? How tasteless. With a little imagination and foresight they could have been incorporated unobtrusively into the design of the new pinnacles at present being erected on the Cathedral itself. Not only would this avert

Date

Bromsgrove and District Flower Arranging Society

AT our meeting in September we were delighted to welcome Elizabeth Bacon, whose demonstration was entitled Just one Of Those Things. Elizabeth last came to demonstrate to us in 1992, so her visit this month was long overdue! She demonstrated six lovely

Date

Robert Kilroy-Silk doesn't respect democratic process

IN view of the recent Hartlepool by-election, why did UKIP only manage a modest third place, in spite of Robert Kilroy-Silk's prophetic claims? Sadly, he is about as invincible as The Titanic. Mr Kilroy-Silk's ambitions to become a Prime Minister were

Date

Hanbury WI

DURING our September meeting Linda stood in for our president, read the minutes and introduced our speaker for the evening, David Cole. David is a member of the Inn Sign Society and told us a fascinating story of public houses and the meaning of their

Date

Nice and three-sy for rampant Reds

Bradford Park Avenue 0 Redditch United 3 IT was a case of blood, sweat and cheers for the roaring Reds as they bounced back from their FA Cup disappointment to record a whopping win over Bradford on Saturday. Rod Brown's men were already two goals to

Date

Bromsgrove and District Canine Society

THE society held the third show of the year at All Saints Hall on September 25, by special dispensation of the Kennel Club. Doreen Paige, a very experienced judge of working and pastoral breeds, came from Shropshire to assess an entry of 76 dogs. Next

Date

Why speed traps are now flouting the law

I WRITE not as a disgruntled motorist, but as one who believes fairness and justice should prevail no matter what the circumstances. Previously published statements by the Safety Camera Partnership have been proven false by Government data and seem to

Date

Surfing the grey wave

TECHNOPHOBES were able to brush up on their computer skills when a special bus visited Stoke Prior for a taster session on Monday. The bus stopped in Ryefields Road and keen-to-learn students could hop aboard to use its mobile computer classroom. Qualified

Date

Children enjoy the wonderful world of books

THE wonderful world of literature was brought to life in Bromsgrove this past week as part of National Book Week. Puppeteer Clive Chandler visited pupils at Sidemoor First School, in Broad Street, and performed Hansel and Gretel for the children. The

Date

Award for fire hero school girl

A HERO schoolgirl was awarded a special certificate after saving her Oakalls' home from fire. Eleven-year-old Rosie Ames was able to act because she remembered a school lesson given by firefighters. Rosie, of Samsara Road, The Oakalls, was given the certificate

Date

Girls catch the judges' eye

A TALENTED group of youngsters danced their way to success at a national competition. Lizzie Moseley, aged 13, Amy Smith, 12, Danielle Donaghey, eight, and Charlotte Jones, 12, hotfooted it to Devon Cliffs to compete at the West Coast Dancing Competition

Date

Threatened with a knife

POLICE are seeking information after three men got into a taxi in Rubery and threatened the driver with a knife. The appeal follows two similar incidents in Redditch where taxi drivers were threatened. In the first incident, last Saturday at 3.45am, a

Date

Councillor to stand down

THE world of local politics was rocked this week by the announcement that Independent district councillor Dr Elizabeth Lammie has decided to stand down with immediate effect. The retired GP, who was in practice in what is now Davenall House Surgery in

Date

Youths flout booze bans

Youths are drinking and gathering in Rubery's alcohol free zones nearly three months after they were set up. Alcohol free areas were created at Callowbrook open space, including Brook Park, St Chad's Park and the alleyway in between Meadowfield Road and

Date

From the Kop to the top

THE man who was brought up in working class Liverpool, in the shadow of Anfield football ground, has an unlikely pedigree for headmaster of Bromsgrove School, writes Adrian Kibbler. But Chris Edwards, who has taught on four continents and in some of England's

Date

Showroom plan backed

A PLAN to build a car showroom and village shop in Dodford has been given the thumbs up. Members of Bromsgrove District Council's planning committee went against the recommendations of their officers after receiving no complaints from Dodford Parish Council

Date

New chapter for Spa vicar

A POPULAR vicar will bid farewell to Droitwich Spa when he leaves for pastures new. The Rev Andrew White, vicar of St Nicholas' Church, has been appointed Priest-in-Charge of Hartlebury and Chaplain to the Bishop of Worcester, the Rt Rev Dr Peter Selby

Date

100 years ago

October 15, 1904 WILLIAM Hemming, needlemaker, of Astwood Hill, Astwood Bank, was charged with being drunk on Astwood Hill on October 3rd. Police Constable Porter stated he was in plain clothes and saw the defendant, who was very drunk and staggering

Date

25 years ago

October 12, 1979 AN embittered picket line of women workers has vowed to stay on strike over claims for a closed shop. The Auto Springs strikers had been expected to work after the national engineers' dispute finished. But they have now decided to stay

Date

13/10/04 - Ali to help his country defend title

KABIR Ali has retained his place in England's Hong Kong Sixes squad. The Worcestershire paceman, who played a prominent role in England's tournament victory last year, travels again with the party which is led by Matthew Maynard. Ali was the joint top

Date

Husband awaits judge's verdict

A WEBHEATH man who has been fighting to get justice for his wife who died from bowel cancer is optimistic following his High Court battle on Monday. Calvin Tudor used the £300,000 compensation he received after his wife Carol's death to challenge a General

Date

Death crash probe

THE Independent Police Complaints Commission will investigate the deaths of two men in a car crash after they were followed by police on the A435 in Studley. Their black Seat Leon coupe collided head-on with a lorry coming the other way on a bend outside

Date

No to post office closures

REDDITCH Council have agreed to formally oppose a proposal to close post offices in Batchley and Abbeydale. During a full council meeting on Monday, Councillor Albert Wharrad submitted a notice of motion totally opposing the closures. He said: "This council

Date

Puzzle over head injury

MYSTERY surrounds how a 50-year-old man received a serious head injury on Saturday night outside a Matchborough pub. The incident happened at about 7pm outside the Sticky Wicket pub, where the man had been drinking with his wife. The man stepped outside

Date

Athletes in funding plea

By Helen Clarke BUSINESSES and individuals in Redditch can help support sporting excellence in the town by sponsoring some talented athletes with special needs to take part in the Special Olympic National Summer Games next year. Redditch Special Olympics

Date

Taxi drivers threatened

KNIVES were pulled on two taxi drivers in separate incidents which are being linked by police. At 3.45am on Saturday, a taxi driver from Birmingham picked up three men from Deelands Road in Rubery before driving them to Batchley. The driver was asked

Date

Probe on bus stop crash

POLICE are investigating a car crash which demolished a Redditch bus shelter. The accident happened last Tuesday just after 11.30am. A Toyota Corolla, driven by a man in his 70s from Bromsgrove, hit the shelter, which has now been replaced. He was taken

Date

Jazz gigs net cash for cause

INKBERROW Jazz has announced the 2004 season of village concerts raised £1,550 for Macmillan Cancer Relief. Sponsored by kitchen and bathroom company Blacks of Inkberrow, Inkberrow Jazz was founded by owner Roger Black to bring world-class jazz to the

Date

Drivers facing pipes chaos

GAS pipeline company Transco is advising motorists temporary traffic lights are due to be installed along the A435 Alcester Road in Studley. Work is now under way on a £406,000 scheme to renew 3.5km of gas pipes. The traffic lights will be installed on

Date

Everywoman's Circle

PRESIDENT Angela Stearn welcomed members to the first meeting of the autumn session. After the dismal August weather, the planned talk on the beautiful island of Madeira was much appreciated. This was presented by group secretary Sandra Boreham, who recently

Date

Inner Wheel Club of Alcester

IN August, the club enjoyed an outing to the beautiful garden of the Drs Cox in Bidford. Unfortunately, it was a rather wet day but it cleared up enough for members to enjoy a walk in the gardens. The visit was followed by tea at president Margaret's

Date

Redditch Music Society

TRIO Tragore - Marie Vassilou, soprano; Verity Butler, clarinet and John Forster, piano - gave a superb concert to open the society's 43rd season. The programme began with a Mozart rarity, the Trio Domine Deus Salutis Meae, which lay undiscovered for

Date

Building careers

PUPILS have been taking part in activities as part of a week of events to interest youngsters in construction industry careers. Youngsters from Trinity High and Matchborough First schools attended Avoncroft Museum during the event, which was funded by

Date

A dream of an idea

A PILOT project is being launched by Redditch YMCA at Birchensale Middle School to help children give back to their community, gain access to out-of-school clubs and receive awards for hard work. Dream Scheme is being funded by the Children's Fund in

Date

School names head

THE governing body of St Augustine's School in Hunt End has announced the appointment of a new principal following the departure of Carol Buchanan. Yvonne Brennan, who is currently vice-principle at St Paul's Girls' School in Birmingham, will take on

Date

Residents' appeal for action

THE police could be drafted in to move travellers from their temporary camp in Oversley Green as the dispute over land ownership has still not been resolved. More than 30 irate residents turned up to an Alcester Town Council meeting to find out how far

Date

Call to sack trustees

A FORMER trustee of the Greig Centre has called for the sacking of the present board to allow the facility to make a fresh start. Bill Bayley wants the Charity Commission to take action to turn the Kinwarton Road centre into "what it was supposed to be

Date

Buy-out talks fail

RETAILER JJB Sports today said talks about a potential £600m takeover of the group had ended. The Wigan-based company - which has branches in Worcester and Kidderminster - said its board had concluded that the takeover approach had been "unlikely to lead

Date

History is made

THE Midlands region of the Institution of Civil Engineers is set to have its first-ever female chairperson. Christina Jackson, an associate director of Ove Arup and Partners, has taken over the position from Mike Mann. The 47-year-old is looking forward

Date

County timber experts are a cut above the rest

A LANDSCAPE and gardening timber specialist from Kidderminster has beaten an impressive list of big-name industry nominees from around the country to scoop a top national award. At a prestigious ceremony at The Savoy in London, M&M Timber Ltd was

Date

Skate park closed down

A NEW skate park in Salford Priors was closed within weeks of opening because of safety fears. The much-welcomed facility, on the village playing fields, was considered to be unsafe by the parish council and contractors were asked to make amendments.

Date

Festival set for lift-off

THE Stratford on Avon Music Festival kicks off on Friday with a varied programme of music, literature and dance. Held at venues throughout Stratford and the surrounding area, the nine-day Festival opens at Holy Trinity Church with Armonico Consort and

Date

Wildlife walk

THE Alcester and District branch of the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) will be stepping out to raise money for the charity on Sunday. Members will be taking part in the annual Walk for Wildlife, which has raised about £10,000 for the protection of endangered

Date

25 years ago October 12, 1979

JOHN Edney, aged 42, a bus driver from Lander Close, Rubery, got a shock when experts told him the misshapen object he had dug up after locating it with bis metal detector was a cannon ball from the Civil War. He returned to the undisclosed spot and dug

Date

50 years ago October 16, 1954

COUNCIL house tenants in Bromsgrove were upset at new rules which limited them to keeping one dog, six hens and an outright ban on cockerels. Frank Taylor an enterprising tenant from Sidemoor who bred Alsations had got round the new ruling limiting the

Date

60 years ago October 14, 1944

WALKMILLS Farm at Wychbold, comprising a house, outbuildings and 57 acres of land came under the hammer at an auction conducted by Luce and Silvers the Bromsgrove auctioneers. After spirited bidding it was sold for £4,000. VISITORS to an open day at Bromsgrove's

Date

Greens strike out

STRIKER Leon Mitchell looks likely to make his Bromsgrove Rovers debut when the Greens take on league leaders Mangotsfield United on Saturday. The pacey frontman has been snapped up from Travel Factory Midland Alliance side Rushall Olympic and could go

Date

Indian call-up

MOSELEY prop forward Mani Samra (pictured above) headed to Sri Lanka this week to team up with the Indian national rugby team. And the former Bromsgrove Colts player will have his family cheering him on - albeit from the other side of the world. Samra

Date

First half tries help Colts to away win

Burton U19s 26 Bromsgrove U19s 31 An impressive first half display steered Bromsgrove Colts to victory over a Burton side that came storming back into the match after the break. The home side started well but were soon struggling against the Boars whose

Date

Kev strike helps lift the gloom

THIS result was just the tonic for Rovers, their fans and above all for match winner Kevin Banner, who was returning to the fray after a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Banner has been struggling to shake off the effects of car crash injuries sustained

Date

Swimmers finish with relay victory

BROMSGROVE met fierce competition in the first round of the Speedo League. Gloucester City took the honours at the end of a tough gala with Bromsgrove claiming an impressive third place. There were some stunning swims which would ordinarily have meant

Date

Autumn colour walk

VISITORS to Croome Park, near Pershore, are invited to join National Trust volunteer tour guides on a journey of discovery through the parkland. The Autumn Colour Guided Walk will teach visitors about the ten-year restoration programme underway in the

Date

It can be right to let sick die - MP

WORCESTERSHIRE MP Richard Taylor has told the House of Commons there are rare occasions when withdrawing food from seriously ill patients is justified. Dr Taylor, MP for Wyre Forest, was speaking in a debate about the introduction of "living wills" which

Date

Wets back on tour

DUE to phenomenal demand pop sensations Wet Wet Wet have confirmed that an extra date at Birmingham's NEC has now been added to their forthcoming Wets Do It Again - Greatest Hits & More UK Tour. The tour opens in December and the second NEC date has

Date

Sirs on the short-list for teaching Oscars

THREE Worcestershire teachers will mingle with the best in the country when they bid to win a prestigious award. The sixth annual Teaching Awards National Ceremony - the "Oscars" of the profession - will be held at the Palace Theatre, in London, on Sunday

Date

Women flock to awareness event

A BREAST cancer awareness day in Droitwich was a resounding success as women poured through the doors to learn about the disease. The day was hosted by the Droitwich Spa Area Forum for Older People in the town's One Stop Shop and offered women a range

Date

Ben's pulling his weight in graduate placement

A PROJECT to help former UCW students take their first steps into the job market has been a huge benefit to one city resident. Ben Cheeseman, from St John's, who left the college in May, is on a graduate development placement at the YMCA, Henwick Road

Date

Tots on a toddle

CHILDREN at Dines Green Family Care Group donned yellow outfits and duck hats to take part in a Toddle Waddle to raise money for charity yesterday. Despite the rain, 17 children between two and four years old took part in the walk around Dines Green Primary

Date

Man ran off with pension

AN elderly woman had her pension stolen soon after collecting it from a post office on Monday. The victim had just been to the post office in Winyates Centre at 10.30am when a man grabbed a bag from the top of her shopping trolley and ran off with it

Date

Thieves strike as woman recycles

POLICE are warning people to be vigilant after a woman's bag was snatched from her car as she used the recycling centre at Morrisons just off Warwick Highway. The 35-year-old woman had parked her car near the paper bank on the car park at 5.45pm on Thursday

Date

Model prisoner sent back to jail

A man regarded as a model prisoner went back to crime after his father died. David Wilkes kicked heroin, got fit in the gym and went on educational courses while in Blakenhurst prison for theft offences. Staff believed he had sorted himself out when he

Date

Burglar faces long jail term

A MAN who burgled an occupied house in Plymouth Road, Redditch, stole a valuable car from the property. Adrian Nichols, aged 28, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to burglary and theft at Worcester Crown Court. Judge John Cavell remanded him in custody

Date

Shop staff threatened in attempted armed raid

STAFF at a store were threatened with what police believe was a handgun in an attempted armed robbery. It happened at the Spar Shop, Drakes Cross Parade, Hollywood, at about 9pm last Wednesday. Three men came into the shop and threatened staff before

Date

United skipper Taylor is 'okay'

COACH Gary Whild has allayed fears that influential Redditch United skipper Mark Taylor could be out of action after Saturday's red-hot encounter at Bradford Park Avenue. Taylor failed to re-appear after the break, following a crude sliding challenge

Date

Nicholson in last-ditch point drama

Kings Heath 3 Redditch 3 An exciting game saw Redditch women's hockey team come back from a 2-0 deficit to take a deserved point and nearly snatch a winner in the dying minutes. Redditch had the majority of the attacking play and dominated possession

Date

Girl power

BROMSGROVE & Redditch Athletic Club competed in the Midland Road Relays at Sutton Park. The senior women's team had one of their best results to date, finishing 18th with Heather Blaymire Brown finishing in 17 minutes 28 seconds, followed by Jane

Date

Parents' fear for son

THE parents of a man with Down's syndrome are fearful for their son's future after plans were announced to close a popular day centre. Millfields, a centre for people with learning and physical disabilities in Enfield, is set to be sold off for housing

Date

Expert speakers to address meeting

THE League of Friends will be holding its annual meeting on Tuesday, October 26, from 6.45pm. During the meeting, members will be giving a run-down on the organisation's finances and what fundraising work they have been doing throughout the year and there

Date

Festive fun date

Redditch folk are asked to make a date in their diaries to help the League of Friends. The league will be holding its annual Christmas fair on Saturday, November 27, at the Alexandra Hospital. Anyone who would like to help make the event a success can

Date

Rowlands gives a stern warning

Studley 2 Oldbury 1 WE'RE not here to make up the numbers - that was the message from Studley boss Kevin Rowlands after his young side chalked up an impressive victory over Oldbury on Saturday. The Bees, who are still undergoing dramatic transition on

Date

Women and witchcraft

THREE contemporary women explore the idea of witchcraft in new touring theatre company Kayelle Productions' first play, Wayward Women. Described as a "wickedly funny, darkly moving drama for adults", the play, written by Simon Andrew Stirling, stars Erin

Date

Hot Hopkins

Redditch United Ladies 4 Tyburn Aztecks Ladies 0 A hat-trick from Rachel Hopkins helped Redditch to a much-needed home win over Tyburn Aztecs. The first half was played at a high tempo with both teams creating chances, but Redditch always had the upper

Date

Results

Nationwide Conference North: Bradford PA 0 Redditch 3; Droylsden 1 Southport 3; Gainsboro 1 Barrow 0; Hucknall 1 Hinckley 1; Kettering 2 Stalybridge 0; Lancaster 3 Moor Green 1; Stafford 1 Vauxhall 1. Travel Factory Alliance: Barwell 0 Stourbridge 4;

Date

Fixtures

Saturday, October 16 Nationwide Conference North REDDITCH UNITED v Gainsborough Trinity 3pm ko Travel Factory Alliance ALVECHURCH v Westfields Oadby Town v STUDLEY Both 3pm ko Midland Football Combination Premier Division Pershore Town v FECKENHAM 2.45pm

Date

Joining forces for police funds fight

THE Home Office has offered little prospect of a boost in funding for West Mercia Constabulary - despite impassioned cross-party pleas by Worcestershire MPs. Michael Foster, Peter Luff and Richard Taylor closed ranks in a debate on the issue yesterday

Date

Robbed

WORCESTER: A man was robbed by two men of his wallet, which contained £45, as he walked on the canal towpath at Lowesmoor, on Monday. The thieves ran off towards Pizza Hut in Tallow Hill after the incident at around 11.15am. Anyone who saw the incident

Date

Thieves ruined mum's birthday

A PENSIONER'S birthday was ruined when thieves stole pots of flowers from outside her Worcester home. Mary Harris' daughters worked all day setting out about £70 worth of plants and bedding in front of their mother's St John's sheltered accommodation

Date

Alarm at increase in county diabetics

MORE than 16,000 residents in Worcestershire are now diabetic - and the figure is set to soar as the nation becomes increasingly obese, a charity has warned. And there could be up to 8,000 county people who are living with the condition but have not been

Date

Willy's show comes back

WILLY Russell's moving musical Blood Brothers returns to the Birmingham Hippodrome from Monday. The award-winning show has been running for 17 years in London's West End and has been described as "simply unmissable and unbeatable". It tells the story

Date

Appeal after another horse is stolen

A HORSE owner is appealing for help after her pet was stolen from land near Kempsey Common, the third to disappear from Worcestershire in 24 hours. The theft of Jaz, a three-year-old piebald (black and white) filly, taken between 6.30pm on Friday and

Date

Wednesday, October 13 FOOTBALL

Midland Floodlit League - Bromsgrove Rovers v Bromyard Town (7.30) SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16 FOOTBALL Southern League Division One West - Mangotsfield United v Bromsgrove Rovers (3pm). Midland Combination (2.45pm unless stated) Premier Division - West Midlands

Date

Chorum in church

VOCAL ensemble Chorum performs a concert at Alcester's St Nicholas' Church on Saturday evening. The Warwick-based 16-voice group has a repertoire incorporating all musical styles including religious, secular, traditional and popular. On Saturday, their

Date

Owen -- I want to be back for good

STRIKER Mark Owen has set his sights on Worcester City's next Nationwide North clash at Southport on October 23 for his first start of the season. Owen was sidelined for the opening two months of the campaign after damaging his right knee in City's pre-season

Date

Bulls striker bags Conference award

HEREFORD United striker Adam Stansfield has been rewarded for his goalscoring prowess by scooping the Nationwide Conference Player of the Month for September. Stansfield, 26, a summer signing from Yeovil Town, bagged three goals from five appearances

Date

Record turnout for annual race

A RECORD 286 runners took to the Malvern Hills for the annual Beacon Race. Athletes flocked from far and wide to brave windy conditions and tackle the tough seven-mile course, starting and finishing in Great Malvern as well as taking in the Worcestershire

Date

Juniors look the part for an award

SOME of the best-dressed swimmers in the area hail from Worcester after a junior team collected an award outside of the pool. Worcester Swimming Club's 'B' team was named the best turned out and supported side at the Division Three final of the Nuneaton

Date

13/10/04 - Owen: I want to be back for good

STRIKER Mark Owen has set his sights on Worcester City's next Nationwide North clash at Southport on October 23 for his first start of the season. Owen was sidelined for the opening two months of the campaign after damaging his right knee in City's pre-season

Date

REDS UP, UP AND AWAY

REDDITCH United boss Rod Brown believes his side can defy all the odds and now finish in the top half of the new Nationwide Conference North this season. The Reds moved just two places off the top six after the thumping 3-0 victory over Bradford Park

Date

End of the 'holey war'

A CONTINUING report on my 'Holey War'. Driving through Barnt Green recently I saw the pot-hole repair men. They were repairing holes on Barnt Green Road and I decided to monitor my pot hole to see if they would repair it. Later that morning I saw them

Date

Bad taste

WE constantly read in the press that the Norbury Theatre in Droitwich is under threat of closure and the public are being urged to use it. On Saturday evening, my husband and I went to see the production of Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell. There was a warning

Date

On the plate

I WAS really upset to find out that the collection at the funeral of my friend's husband, Bill Harrison, was not donated to the cause so close to his heart - the Poppy Day appeal. He took a very active part in the past with the financial running of the

Date

Remembering

AS we once again approach Remembrance Day Sunday, I am writing to seek the support of the community for this year's Poppy Appeal. Last year, the Poppy Appeal raised another record collection, totalling £21,697,387 thanks to the generosity of the public

Date

Pace change

'INTELLIGENT politicians not only give thought to policy development and formulation but even greater careful thought to the possible outcomes of their policy decisions.' The number of times that I have used those words in press letters! At nudging 78

Date

Fine support

THE Multi Agency Resource Centre held a Macmillan Coffee Morning last month in aid of Cancer Relief. The morning was an overwhelming success in which £140 was raised. A tombola was very popular part of the morning in which prizes were very generously

Date

Touchy topic

IT is in no one's interest to have unrestricted immigration in this country. This subject is controversial but some one has to talk about doing something to avert a catastrophe. We still hopefully have freedom of speech in this country. It seems only

Date

Kings made to battle

Kings Norton 28 Birmingham CS 7 THE final score of this hard-fought game fails to reflect how difficult Kings Norton found it to overcome their resolute opponents. The visitors' scrummage gave the home side a torrid time, but failed to capitalise on their

Date

A win Rush

WOODRUSH came away with a 25-5 victory over Warley - thanks to tries from Ed Lerner, Gary Hudson and Martin Leech in a powerful performance on Saturday.

Date

Fixtures

Saturday, October 16 Powergen Vase Round 2 KINGS NORTON v Solihull Worcester Wanderers v ALCESTER 2pm ko Friendly Matches REDDITCH v pool team tba 2pm ko

Date

13/10/04 - Pieters waiting for debut

JOHN Brain has revealed that it is "unlikely" that Giscard Pieters will play against Gloucester. Worcester Warriors' director of rugby will put the finishing touches to the South African's move to Sixways today. But because the winger has not been involved

Date

Bad taste

WE constantly read in the press that the Norbury Theatre in Droitwich is under threat of closure and the public are being urged to use it. On Saturday evening, my husband and I went to see the production of Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell. There was a warning

Date

On the plate

I WAS really upset to find out that the collection at the funeral of my friend's husband, Bill Harrison, was not donated to the cause so close to his heart - the Poppy Day appeal. He took a very active part in the past with the financial running of the

Date

Remembering

AS we once again approach Remembrance Day Sunday, I am writing to seek the support of the community for this year's Poppy Appeal. Last year, the Poppy Appeal raised another record collection, totalling £21,697,387 thanks to the generosity of the public

Date

Fine support

THE Multi Agency Resource Centre held a Macmillan Coffee Morning last month in aid of Cancer Relief. The morning was an overwhelming success in which £140 was raised. A tombola was very popular part of the morning in which prizes were very generously

Date

Contribution

ON behalf of our stallholders at St Peter's Fair the previous weekend at St.Peter's school, Droitwich Spa, I want to thank the many contributors - from retailers in the High St and Salter's Precinct, and St Andrew's Street. Their generosity made a big

Date

Generosity

A MASSIVE thanks to all that generously donated and supported the Girls Big Night in Tickled Pink Party on October 2. We aimed to raise funds for Breast Cancer Care through a night of pampering, a mini auction and a raffle. This was a first and joint

Date

Opportunism

I REFER to the article in the paper of September 29 with regards to the Oakall residents' problems in Bromsgrove. Councillor Spencer says she is angry at what appears to be "party political opportunism". My colleagues and I wish to point out that we are

Date

Trio write

THE talent of Worcestershire's playwrights will be on display at a 'script-in-hand' performance this Saturday night. A Swan Playwright's competition to find three plays under the umbrella title of Scream has resulted in the winning entries of 'Whose head

Date

Dark drama set for one-off show

THEATRE buffs could be swayed by some 'wayward women' in a production coming to Droitwich Spa's Norbury Theatre this Saturday. The touring theatre production Wayward Women, which is a wickedly funny, darkly moving drama for adults, follows three contemporary

Date

Rubery rock band sign off after 12 years

A TOP Rubery band will be rocking out at a Bromsgrove venue as they play one of their last gigs together this Saturday. Having announced they will be breaking up at the end of 2004, Rubery group The Dillingers will play a farewell gig at The Hop Pole

Date

Take a stroll

AN AUTUMN stroll in the fresh countryside air with the Fairfield Ramblers will be the perfect way to spend this Saturday. The walk will last about two and a half hours and starts from Fairfield Stores, opposite the church, on Stourbridge Road, at 10.15am

Date

What's on guide

Wednesday, October 13 Film: Fahrenheit 911, mac, Cannon Hill Park, Edgbaston, Birmingham. Classical Music: The Chilingirian Quartet, the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston. Comedy: Sticky Wicket, Forum Theatre, Malvern.

Date

Dance along

TOWNSFOLK who fancy themselves as a bit of hot stuff on the dance floor should pop along to a new tango class in Bromsgrove. The 'Dance at 8' classes start on Thursday October 28 at the Spadesbourne Suite on Burcot Lane, Bromsgrove at 7pm. All ages are

Date

Lovely, but it's a waste of time

GEORGE Cowley writes (You Say, Monday, October 4) of the dangers and distractions of alcohol, cigarettes and drugs. Although I love his letters, you could argue that he wastes too much precious time writing them. Forgive me, George. MISS MARY COOK, Warndon

Date

Fun in the garden

A FUNDAY is being held at Birmingham's Botanical Gardens this Sunday when visitors will be able to join in 'The Big Draw', the campaign for drawing which aims to help everyone over the 'I can't do it' barrier, while there will also be other attractions

Date

Memories of old Sidbury

SIDBURY holds many happy memories for me where I spent my formative years as a local Bobby back in the 1950s. It was a great place for tea and cake and I never went short, supplied by local shopkeepers who got to know me. However, one day I nearly met

Date

Droitwich Spa Rotary Club

MEMBERS of the Rotary Club of Droitwich Spa and Inner Wheel attended the Evensong Service at St Andrews Parish Church. The Rev Andrew White led us in worship. Lessons were read by president John Skilton and Pat Phillips. After the service refreshments

Date

Village hall is a far better idea

REGARDING the article (Evening News, Tuesday, October 5) about the renewed application for a Lidl store in Malvern Link, it is not needed. We have good Co-op and Kwiksave stores within walking distance and in the Link itself we have local stores selling

Date

Blackwell and Burcot WI

OUR president opened the meeting with the sad news of the death of one of our members. We were reminded that a council meeting was to be held in October for which we were to be responsible for refreshments. The ladies who went to Stapeley Water Gardens

Date

New shape of town policing

THE new face of Bromsgrove police was on show when a town support officer joined the force. Community Support Officer (CSO) Pip Davis took up her duties on Monday when she started her first day on the beat after completing a four-week training program

Date

Rising from the ashes

SCOUTS and guides are joining forces to launch a massive £350,000 building project that could mean a new community centre in a village near Bromsgrove. The building will rise from the ashes of the old wooden Scout hut in Blackwell Road, Barnt Green which

Date

Pet project bears fruit

A PET project for a Bromsgrove poet is helping raise laughs and some cash. Lis Berreen has republished her Pets Aloud book and is aiming to sell 2,000 copies for the Landmark appeal at St John's parish church. Lis has been touring schools in the district

Date

TV's Chris drops in

POPULAR TV gardener Chris Beardshaw took time out from his busy schedule to talk to local gardeners at Webbs of Wychbold last Saturday. The co-presenter of BBC's Gardeners' World delighted his audience of 150 with a talk appropriately entitled Autumn

Date

13/10/04 - Two-week break will ease our injury crisis

WE have got two weeks off until our next Nationwide North fixture against Southport -- but it's a pity it's not two months given our injury situation. What I want is everybody fit and I'm hoping that this fortnight's break gives us the kiss of life in

Date

Splash for cash

KIND-hearted fitness fanatics put their money where their trainers are by raising stacks of cash for the Primrose Hospice. New gym bunnies at the Slideslow Drive David Lloyd leisure centre raised £250 for the St Godwald's Road charity by signing up to

Date

Put safety first

The dangers of playing on building sites have been hammered home to children in Bromsgrove before the new PFI scheme gets under way. Nearly 200 pupils from Meadows and Sidemoor First Schools were invited to Avoncroft Museum during National Construction

Date

Vandal-hit park to be locked up

A PARISH council has resorted to locking a recreation ground overnight in a bid to stop the constant vandalism of its property. Stoke Parish Council has decided to lock the Ryefields Road recreation area and to employ a warden, Barry Taylor, who will

Date

Just the ticket

A RECORD number of happy townsfolk got on the buses last Sunday to celebrate the centenary of the Midland Red bus company. Fourteen-hundred people from all over the country came to Wythall's Birmingham and Midland Museum of Transport to mark the 100 years

Date

A new chapter for town library

A MAJOR cash boost is being earmarked for Bromsgrove library to start a new chapter - but it may not be enough for a happy ending. Visitors can offer their views on how the library could be improved before work gets underway, says Cathy Evans, Worcestershire

Date

New art centre will show films

FILM fans in Bromsgrove may soon be able to watch the latest Hollywood blockbusters - without having to travel outside the town. Facilities for screening films will be included in the Artrix, the town's new £2.6m arts centre, now under construction in

Date

Row rumbles on

A WORRIED Sidemoor resident has criticised his local councillor claiming he must be "living in a bunker or ivory tower" for not knowing the full extent of the troubles in the area. Ray Young, of Melbourne Road, called the Advertiser/Messenger after reading

Date

Service areas are crime hotspots

TWO areas near Bromsgrove have been classed in the top category for crime in the country. People in the rural areas around Frankley service station, on the M5, and Hopwood service station, on the M42, might be surprised to learn they are living in dangerous

Date

New cash boost for Rubery

PEOPLE in Rubery are celebrating after the area got its first major funding for eight years. A total of £225,000 has been granted to improve and develop green space in the village. The money is mainly from the Liveability Fund - from the Office of the

Date

£4.6m lottery cash for canals project

AMBITIOUS plans to restore the historic waterways of Droitwich Spa took a giant leap forward thanks to a £4.6 million cash boost from the lottery. The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) agreed to a grant of £4,658,000 towards the re-opening of Droitwich Barge

Date

Hot new gear for firefighters

IF a heavy goods vehicle should crash in Hereford, a building collapses in Bromyard, or a tractor plunges into a ravine in Pershore, where are you going to call? The answer is Droitwich Spa Fire Station. Since The Saltway station invested in a set of

Date

Paying your rent pays off

ONE Bromsgrove man had a spot of good news this week when he discovered he had won £300 - just for paying his rent on time! Bromsgrove District Housing Trust has handed over £300 to Barry Stout, of Burcot Lane, after he was entered in a new prize scheme

Date

Please come forward

EQUESTRIAN enthusiasts who have recently had equipment stolen are urged to drop in to Droitwich Spa police station. South Worcestershire police have recovered thousands of pounds worth of horse riding equipment after a man and woman were arrested. The

Date

Spa will be split into seven wards

THE Spa is to be split into seven parish wards rather than five - although it will not become effective until the next town council elections in 2007. But there will be no increase in the number of town councillors, they will just be divided differently

Date

Harvesting funds for charity

YOUNGSTERS at a Droitwich school marked the end of the farming season with a traditional harvest festival. Proud parents were invited along to Cutnall Green First School in School Road to watch their children perform the harvest service on September 30

Date

Late forms are costing council

TARDY townsfolk are costing taxpayers thousands of pounds by simply not filling and returning a form. Around 13,000 electoral registration forms are still outstanding after being posted by Wychavon District Council last month. Now the council is having

Date

Safety first at new crossing

PEDESTRIANS can now get from A to B safely thanks to a new pelican crossing. Worcestershire county councillors Pam Davey and Peter Pinfield, who both represent Droitwich, officially opened the new crossing at the junction of Tagwell Road and Dovecote

Date

50 years ago

October 15, 1954 THE first instalment of the proposed site for private house building at Webheath will consist of almost 100 houses, Redditch Urban District Council's Estates Committee was told on Monday. Members saw a sketched plan of the proposed layout

Date

Budget bail-out

A HUGE overhaul of how Redditch Council operates could lead to private organisations being brought in to manage the Palace Theatre, Forge Mill Museum and the Countryside Centre. At a full council meeting on Monday, Leader David Cartwright unveiled an

Date

Doubts over housing scheme

ASTWOOD Bank faces two applications to build housing on largely brown field sites in its green belt. The first, concerning Astwood Farm, is due to be decided by an inspector in January. The second, for the incinerator site, is coming before the planning

Date

Big screen plan for town festival

By Becky Procter STEPS are being taken to have a drive-in cinema as part of a massive week-long festival which will take place in Redditch next year. It is hoped the festival, which will be the first of its kind in Redditch, will include a number of events

Date

New faces on patrol

NEW Community Support Officers (CSOs) have taken up their duties across Redditch, Bromsgrove and Kidderminster after a four-week long training programme. The two new CSOs in Redditch are Sharon Jones and Louise Bradbury. They will be carrying out routine

Date

Bypass still a live issue

IT was interesting to read Richard Timney's spirited defence of his wife, Jacqui Smith MP, (Letters, September 22) regarding her change of mind over the Studley bypass. As a borough councillor and MP, she supported the bypass from 1991 to 1998. The all-singing

Date

The lesser of two evils?

I WISH to respond to Mrs Hay's letter "Decision has left me in despair" (Advertiser, 22nd September) about that honoured, Redditch-Studley tradition. Yes, I'm referring to that damned bypass. I've got nothing against the people of Studley. I've even met

Date

Factory traffic causing chaos

MRS Kendrick says building should stop in Redditch to let the town settle (Letters, September 29). Is this her answer to cure the ridiculous road system we have around us? Traffic calming to stop lorries and traffic? But surely she has forgotten hundreds

Date

Homes scheme backed

PLANS for a multi-million pound housing development on land currently earmarked for an animal carcass incinerator are set to be given the go-ahead next week. Redditch Council planning officers have recommended the plans for seven luxury houses in Popes

Date

Many abusing disabled parking

HOW dare Ms Hammond call me selfish (Letters, September 29). I am one of those who think far too many car parking spaces are given over to the disabled. Ms Hammond might do better to vent her spleen on the so-called disabled who abuse the system. Don't

Date

Friends' thanks for fantastic total

ON behalf of the League of Friends, I would like to say a big thank you for supporting our collection at Morrisons for accessories for the MRI Scanner at the Alexandra Hospital. A fantastic sum of £1,812.98 was collected and my thanks go to all the volunteers

Date

New bid to curb gangs

GANGS of youths have recently started to gather in Winyates Centre again, prompting police to reinstate an order which allows officers to disperse the groups and escort loitering youngsters home. New antisocial behaviour legislation was invoked at the

Date

Letter from Westminster - Jacqui Smith MP

ON Friday, I visited Redditch Ambulance Station to talk to managers and staff about their service. I congratulated them on their excellent performance in recent years during which they have secured a three-star rating for their work and pioneered new

Date

Chance to help

GOSPEL singers, a Reggae artist and a host of entertainers have been drafted in to perform at an event to raise money for the hurricane victims in Jamaica. The Descendants of Windrush, the Community Relations Council, the black community and Redditch

Date

Drivers caught doing 100 mph

THREE motorists were caught driving around roads in Oakenshaw at more than 100mph during a targeted police operation using an unmarked vehicle. The exercise was set up following a special meeting between police and residents, who were concerned the roads

Date

Dance and music mark celebrations

THE Palace Theatre is at the centre of events marking Black History month in Redditch. Celebrations are taking place to mark the contribution black people have made to the town. Spokesman for Redditch Black History Society June Sutherland said: "Black

Date

Girls go green for school

TWO community-minded Redditch pupils are taking great steps to protect and preserve the environment for fellow students and staff. Bethan Kuriger and Kim Nicholas, from Arrow Vale Community High School, decided they would help the school clean up its

Date

Redditch Trade Justice Group

THE group continues to campaign to make Redditch a Fair Trade town. An important first step is to get a resolution of support from Redditch Council and it was agreed at the last meeting that one of the group's members would discuss this with the relevant

Date

The Redditch Society

ON October 1, Simon Topman, chief executive of Acme Whistle Company, gave a talk on the history of whistles. He regaled the audience with stories, many humorous, told with a variety of accents, perfect timing and all beautifully illustrated by the playing

Date

Wythall Writers

CONGRATULATIONS were in order at the group's September meeting, when Joan Johnson and Josephine Chandler reported having work broadcast on BBC Radio 4. A short story written by Eileen Terry has been selected, from more than 200 entries, for a prize in

Date

Schools get a taste of Indian culture

PUPILS at Kingsley College and Dingleside Middle School had a taste of Indian culture last week with music and dance workshops led by theatre company Chitraleka. The company's five-day residency, led by Indian dancing sensation Chitraleka Bolar, saw pupils

Date

Travellers 'taking away my freedom'

A DISABLED woman has had her independence cut after her dog was harassed by two other dogs belonging to travellers camped in Oversley Green. Diane Dodge says she can no longer make the journey from her home in Mill Lane to Alcester town centre for fear

Date

Fun was shared by all

ALL the fun of the fair came to Alcester to uphold a town tradition last week. The annual Mop Fair was formally opened by High Bailiff Keith Tomlinson, one of his last duties before standing down from the post. He had to read the historical proclamation

Date

*Paedophile on run with wife and kids * Watch out, there's fake notes about... *Alarm at increase in

Date

Tribute paid to Duncan

TRIBUTES have been paid to former Alcester landlord Duncan Parker, who died aged 61. Born in Studley, Mr Parker spent much of his life in Alcester. He was an engineer by trade but is best known as steward of the Trades and Labour Club and landlord of

Date

Top award for hotel

THE Elms Hotel, Abberly has received the highest endorsement in the industry by being included in the new Which? Guide to Good Hotels 2005. The guide is widely regarded as one of the leading authorities in the hotel industry with properties undergoing

Date

'We've got our family life back again'

AN ALCESTER man is one of the first patients to benefit from a new renal unit in Stratford. Rob Gilks, of Hertford Road, has been travelling to the Warneford Hospital in Coventry three times a week for the past three years - and says the new facility

Date

Sprouts to take centre stage!

YOU either love them or loathe them - but Christmas would not be Christmas without the traditional helping of sprouts. And Alcester is going to get more than its fair share of sprouts this year because chef Felice Tochini has persuaded the British Sprout

Date

Seeds of business help sown

BUSINESS bosses in Alcester have been challenged to help fund the floral displays for the town's entry in next year's Britain in Bloom competition. Speaking at the Alcester in Bloom awards evening last Friday, when local gardeners and allotment keepers

Date

A city firm with vision!

STAFF members at an optician's in Worcester are hoping to see double at a prestigious national competition to be judged next month. For Specsavers, in Broad Street, is celebrating after reaching the final of the Excellence in Eyecare Awards in two separate

Date

Leet stalwart steps down

ONE of the longest serving members on Alcester Court Leet retired on Thursday when the ancient institution held its annual elections. Ron Leek has been on the court for 42 years - 21 of them as constable - and he says although he no longer wears the robe

Date

Concert was a real gem

THE Greig Centre resounded to an African beat recently when the Pearl of Africa Children's Choir performed. The youngsters are all orphans from Uganda who use their gift of singing to raise money for projects in their home country. The visit to Alcester

Date

Quality joy

SALFORD Priors Parish Council is to be granted more power, responsibility and funding after achieving a Quality Status Award. The parish council is one of four local authorities in the county to have been designated the award, which was conferred in recognition

Date

Talking tourism

A BID to pull together tourism-related businesses in the Alcester area gets under way next week. Advantage Alcester has organised a meeting for those who would like to get involved in advance of the main launch next year. The meeting will be held at the

Date

Town diary

Thursday, October 14 10-11.30am Open Doors parent and toddler group, Methodist Church, Priory Road. 11am-3pm Resource Caf, The Pavilion, St Faith's Road. Friday, October 15 8 .30am-noon Alcester Country Market, High Street. Tuesday, October 19 7.30pm