Archive
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First defeat crucial
BRETFORTON took part in the annual county first team tournament involving six teams at Dene Close School. Their first match was against Premier League opponents Lansdown whose higher status proved crucial in a 1-0 defeat. The next 15-minute encounter
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On the organ
A NEW series of organ recitals arranged by Hill Organ Promotion Society kicks off tomorrow at Kidderminster Town Hall. Town Hall organist Timothy Morris, who is also chairman of the society, will play from 1.10pm to 2pm and admission is £4.
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Time to rock
A POPULAR Bromsgrove rock act is set to wow crowds with their mix of original music and cover tunes. Snakeskin Rose, will play the Hop Pole Inn, Old Birmingham Road, tomorrow. For more information about the band and future gigs visit www.snakeskinrose.com
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Tribute show
TWO top tribute acts will be asking townsfolk to 'Let us entertain you' when they play Bromsgrove. The Frank and Robbie Show is set to play the Hilton Hotel, in Birmingham Road, on Friday, April 15. Hits by Robbie Williams such as 'Millennium' and 'She's
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Electric street cleaning
WORCESTER cleansing teams are going electric in the latest blitz on street litter, with the introduction of two new mini-vans. The electric-powered vehicles replace Worcester City Council's three-year-old manually-operated handcarts in a bid to increase
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The Bootleg Doors will light your fire
A TRIBUTE band to the psychedelic rock music of Jim Morrison and The Doors is to perform at Worcester's Huntingdon Hall. The Bootleg Doors, who hail from Amsterdam and were formed eight years ago, will be at the venue tomorrow night, at 8pm. "Where possible
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Wanted - couch potatoes for walks
PEOPLE who spend too much time in their armchairs are being invited to improve their fitness and well-being on a "Health Walk" in Tenbury Wells. The walking group is part of the South Worcestershire Walking Network and is sponsored by the nationwide "
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Changes to council
WARNDON Parish Council has voted in favour of recommendations aimed at streamlining the way in which its meetings are conducted. Among the changes to take place will be the creation of a Finance group and the amalgamation of Environment, Rights of Way
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Driverless tractor is halted by police car
POLICE officers had to use their own car to stop a run-away tractor after the driver jumped off. The incident happened after the patrol car overtook the Massey Ferguson tractor, which was being followed by a hard-top Land-Rover 90, near the Bell pub at
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04/04/05 - Teenage goalkeeper denies strikers
Sutton Coldfield Town 0 Bromsgrove Rovers 0 Southern League Division One West BROMSGROVE Rovers' slight automatic promotion hopes slipped further out of sight after teenage goalkeeper Anthony Breeden produced a man of the match display to keep them at
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Store raid
THIEVES who forced their way into Budgens supermarket in Bidford on Thursday made off with a large number of cigarettes. They broke in through fire doors at the rear of the building at around 2.30am and searched the main storeroom area. They then forced
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02/04/05 - New striker serves up debut blast
Brackey Town 1 Bromsgrove Rovers 3 SUPER-SUB Matthew Barnes-Homer made a sensational debut to help Rovers brush aside brittle Brackley and maintain their chances of automatic promotion from the Southern League Division One West on Saturday. The teenager
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Sex pest warning
A TEN-year-old girl was indecently assaulted in Headless Cross as she walked home from school. Police investigating the assault on March 18 are also investigating an incident in which a man exposed himself to a teenager three days later. And officers
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Witness appeal on bag snatch
A MAN was hit and wrestled to the ground in Hopwood before his attacker made off with his bag. The man had left Bridge Garage in Redditch Road and was walking into Ash Lane when he was approached at about 2.10pm last Wednesday. After the scuffle, the
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Grill the Rovers manager
BROMSGROVE Rovers' fans can question manager Jimmy Mullen about his 30-year career in football on Saturday (7.30pm start). The former Burnley boss will give a talk on his time in the game at the Victoria Club and answer questions afterwards. Tickets cost
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6/4/05 - Boddy's belief in City charge
DAVE Boddy believes Worcester City can scoop the maximum 15 points from their end-of-season run-in -- providing they triumph at Stafford Rangers and Altrincham. In-form City need to land five straight wins to give themselves a realistic opportunity of
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No place for louts in sport
THERE can be little doubt that sport has a pervasive influence on society. Sportsmen and women are some of the most high-profile, and well-paid, people on the planet - and their behaviour can have a direct effect on our behaviour. If David Beckham has
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Presidents day attracts VIP
WOODRUSH Rugby Club's annual Presidents Day got under way on Saturday but former presidents weren't the only VIPs as Bromsgrove MP Julie Kirkbride dropped in. The Wythall club were keen to show Ms Kirkbride how they would like to develop in the future
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Derby no go
THE expected crunch derby between Kings Norton and Redditch rugby clubs was called off. The Kings men called the game off on Friday because of their lack of front row players. League officials could now step in and penalise the Hopwood side by deducting
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Parking charge on hold
THE introduction of car parking charges for staff at the Alexandra Hospital has been put on hold while workers try to negotiate more reasonable rates. Worcestershire Acute Hospital NHS Trust chiefs were expected to implement the new staff car parking
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Brothers step up at Open
REDDITCH'S Freestyle Kickboxing Association was back in action at the Gloucester Open on Sunday, March 27. Brothers Lewis and Conner Morris were in action in the novice boys section. Eleven-year-old Lewis, who has had just four lessons, was first up in
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Much more than an armful!
A MAN who has been giving blood for almost 35 years is to be honoured at a ceremony. Joiner and carpenter Chris Westbury, of Headless Cross, has donated more than 75 times. He will be attending the ceremony in Bromsgrove, being held by the National Blood
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Robins given green light
COMMON Road has been given the green light to stage Southern League Premier Division matches next season. The Evesham United committee was given several tasks to undertake when the grading committee visited the ground last month and the majority of the
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A chance to put something back
COMMUNITY-minded villagers in Studley who have a bit of free time on their hands can apply to join the parish council after vacancies arose. Studley Parish Council is currently two councillors short, with 10 members instead of 12, following the departure
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Appeal over air rifle theft
POLICE are appealing for information after the theft of an air rifle from a car in Woodrow. Thieves broke into a blue Ford Granada in Rushock Close between 10pm on Sunday and 11.30am the next morning and stole what is believed to be an old Webley BSA
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Golf clubs taken in shed raid
A SET of golf clubs worth £1,500 was stolen during a raid on a shed in Redditch over the Easter holidays. The shed, in the back garden of a house in Throckmorton Road, was broken into between Saturday evening and Monday lunchtime. Seventeen clubs were
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Reunion call to former pupils
FORMER pupils of Redditch County High School are invited to meet up with old classmates at a reunion this summer. Students who started at the school between 1948-50 can relive the happy memories at Cookhill Village Hall on Saturday, June 18. The reunion
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A man's world at Malvern...
By Lynda Morrison ALL-male theatre company Propeller presents Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale at Malvern's Festival Theatre from next Wednesday. Described as "one of the most haunting and profound stories Shakespeare ever wrote", the play tells the story
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Robins given green light
COMMON Road has been given the green light to stage Southern League Premier Division matches next season. The Evesham United committee was given several tasks to undertake when the grading committee visited the ground last month and the majority of the
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Inaugural Open Day
THE STI Midland Junior Premier Football League hosts its first ever Open Day at Hinckley United's new ground, the Marston Stadium on Sunday, April 17. The league, comprised of junior teams from Midlands non-league clubs aged between 12 and 16 is coming
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Ball and Hamilton set to return at Ashford
MANAGER Dave Busst is expected to reinstate Richard Ball and Stuart Hamilton into Evesham United's starting line-up for two crucial Division One West matches in the space of four days. The unavailability of John Gayle, preferred to top scorer Ball last
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Millward's men make it a promotion treble
BROADWAY United clinched promotion to Division One of the Birdseye Sports Evesham and District Sunday League for the first time with a hard- earned win over Defford and Besford. Phil Millward's side had previously been the club's reserve team until this
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Fixtures and tables
Fixture for tomorrow (Friday) Worcestershire FA Saturday Minor Cup final: Littleton v K S Athletic (Pershore Tn, 7.30pm). Saturday Southern League Division One West: Ashford Tn v Evesham Utd. Midland Combination Division One: Stockingford AA v Littleton
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Finals at double
QUINTON'S 3-1 semi-final defeat of Southam last Satur-day sealed a second cup final appearance. The Stratford Alliance first division side face Droitwich Spa Reserves at Broadway United on Saturday (5pm) when the Evesham Hospital and Charity Saturday
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Visitors puzzled after away loss
Polesworth 4, Littleton 2 LITTLETON'S ten-match unbeaten run in Division One of the Midland Combination came to an end when they went down at Saturday's high-flying hosts. However, the final score does no justice to the losers who were the better side
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Nice finish for Ladies
HOCKEY: REDDITCH Ladies finished third in the Worcestershire League Division One after continuing their unbeaten form with a 4-0 demolition of neighbours Bromsgrove. Liz Thomson opened the scoring after good work on the right by Anna Stafford. Emma Preston
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What a way to spend Easter
WHILE Malvern residents relaxed over the Easter weekend, one local man experienced riots, gunfire and looting. Ian Claytor, formerly of Newtown Road, is the general director of a tour operator and two hotels based in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan
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Hick hits ton but County slip to defeat in final over
WORCESTERSHIRE were beaten by Essex in yesterday's friendly during a dramatic final over at Chelmsford. The game was played as a one-day match over 50 overs each as hopes were not high of enjoying any play today due to the weather. With Essex making 303
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Broadway clinch Division One place
BROADWAY United clinched promotion to Division One of the Birdseye Sports Evesham Sunday League with a hard-earned win over Defford/Besford United. Phil Milward's side had previously been the reserve team until this season and the majority of his players
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WBA test for Cross
WOMEN'S FOOTBALL: HEADLESS Cross Ladies will be returning to league action on Sunday when they take on high-flyers West Bromwich Albion at Abbey Stadium (KO 2pm). Cross are currently sitting mid-table in the West Midlands Premier League with the Baggies
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Trophy torture
EVESHAM Under-15s narrowly lost out in Sunday's final of the Worcestershire Cricket Board's Tornado Trophy. They faced Dominies and Guild at the Worcester-shire Cricket Centre after the Avon Street side, captained by Gloucestershire Under-14 starlet Andrew
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Fixing up friendlies
EVESHAM Henricians are looking to fill their four remaining fixtures for the coming season. The free dates are all Sundays, namely June 12, July 10 and September 4 and 18. The club is also on the lookout for new players of any standard. If interested
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Sloppy Boars not out of danger
Broadstreet 21 Bromsgrove 20 Midlands Division One THE DANGER of relegation still lingers over Finstall Park after Bromsgrove failed to perform at Broadstreet on Saturday. Coach Dean Ball blasted his players for their lacklustre display that still leaves
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Bailey plans big changes
Stratford 33 Droitwich Spa 0 Midlands Division Three West (South) DIRECTOR of Rugby Julian Bailey admits there is a lot of work to be done over the summer to prepare his confidence drained side after they were finally relegated from the Midlands Division
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50 years ago April 9, 1955
IN spite of recent unseasonable weather several species of birds, who spend the summer in Britain, had already arrived. These included garganey ducks, lesser black backed gulls at Westwood Park, in Droitwich, and meadow pipits at Frankley. PLANS for an
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100 years ago April 8, 1905
SURGEON/DENTIST Arthur Ward, from Birmingham, took out an advert in the Messenger to inform patients he now held surgeries every Tuesday night until 9pm at a house called Branksome, in Bromsgrove's Marlborough Avenue. All types of operations were carried
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Far too busy
RESPONDING to the letter from Paul Byrne of Wythall - Geoff Denaro was appointed as leader by the Tories. He is also chairman of planning, and chairs two small sub-committees. He has never been known to vote against the Conservatives and he effectively
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Taking the opportunity
THE recent article headed 'newsletter in political pawn row' seems to be yet another example of the Liberal Democrats opportunistic election techniques, on this occasion sadly dragging the Scouting movement into the political circus ring. With the county
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Credit for foresight
CREDIT should be given where it is due. By that I refer to the recent report about the saving of the ophthalmology services in Bromsgrove, following the worries in 2002 that all eye services were likely to be moved to Kidderminster. No mention was made
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Alcester go out on a low
Spartans 29 Alcester 0 ALCESTER slipped to a disappointing defeat in their final league game against a pumped up home side keen to impress a sizeable Presidents Day crowd. The Kings Coughton men said they would stand by the result despite a Spartans member
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Teenage goalkeeper denies strikers
Sutton Coldfield Town 0 Bromsgrove Rovers 0 Southern League Division One West BROMSGROVE Rovers' slight automatic promotion hopes slipped further out of sight after teenage goalkeeper Anthony Breeden produced a man of the match display to keep them at
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New striker serves up debut blast
Brackey Town 1 Bromsgrove Rovers 3 SUPER-SUB Matthew Barnes-Homer made a sensational debut to help Rovers brush aside brittle Brackley and maintain their chances of automatic promotion from the Southern League Division One West on Saturday. The teenager
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Relegation nears
Thimblemill 2 Fairfield Villa 0 RELEGATION came a step closer for battling Villa as they slumped to their 18th defeat of the season on Saturday. Defeat to their fellow relegation rivals saw them fall closer towards the bottom two in the Midland Combination
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Super Sewell's double delight
Barnt Green Spartak 2 Pilkington XXX 0 SPARTAK SEALED the double over their local rivals as they maintained their imperious form in the Midland Combination Premier Division on Saturday. The team's eighth win in nine games made sure Spartak kept their
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Getting together
WE are currently organising a school reunion to celebrate 40 years since we left junior school. The school involved is Charlton Kings Junior School in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. This is for all those who left in 1965, but we are happy if people from
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It's happened
FURTHER to the recent letter from Margaret Warman regarding Wychavon District Council and their decision to end green waste collection from this month. I'm afraid the binmen have brought it forward to now. I put out two green sacks of lawn clippings with
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Reduce cost
FIRST we have Councillor Pam Davey saying she voted to destroy the Lido because she really wants an outside pool. Then Sharon Caswell says by not collecting garden refuse Wychavon is improving waste collection. When even more black bags are dumped in
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Ian's ace
AN ACE from Ian Tyrell helped his team to victory in Evesham's Mixed AM/AM last Sunday. Tyrell's hole-in-one helped teammates Audrey Taylor, Robert Parker and Carol Yates to victory with 97 points a total that proved five too many for runners-up Bill
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Buzzards fly high on their travels
BREDON Buzzards Under-9s returned home tired but triumphant from last weekend's mini tournament at Thornbury RUFC. The opening match ended in a 25-0 defeat of Yatton with Ben Vincent scoring the first try within 60 seconds of the start. The same player
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Musical date
THE stage is set for the first musical production at Bromsgrove's new theatre. Bromsgrove Operatic Society is performing Me and My Girl at the Artrix, in School Drive, from Monday, May 9, to Saturday, May 14. The performances will feature songs such as
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Coming in from the cold
A MAGICAL Shakespeare play will be performed at a Malvern theatre next week. The Winter's Tale, one of the most haunting and profound plays the Bard ever wrote, will be performed by the Watermill Theatre in a touring production at the Festival Theatre
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Marital musings
A COMEDY portraying a mid-life marital crisis is set to keep audiences laughing. Conjugal Rites, written by Roger Hall, opens for a four-night stint next week at the Norbury Theatre, Friar Street, Droitwich, on Wednesday, April 13. The play focuses on
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Star names head for hills
A HOST of star names - Peter Bowles, Sian Phillips, Leslie Grantham, Jean Boht, Shirley Anne Field, Susie Amy, Gaby Roslin, Clare Teal and Julian Lloyd Webber- will be coming to the Malvern Theatres this summer. There's a fantastically diverse line up
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Fame calls
PREPARE yourselves for loads of lycra clad wannabes as all-sing-all-dancing musical Fame comes to the Birmingham Hippodrome between April 18 and 23. Based on the Academy Award winning movie, which defined the 1980s, the show charts the highs and lows
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02/04/05 - Sloppy Boars not out of danger
Broadstreet 21 Bromsgrove 20 Midlands Division One THE DANGER of relegation still lingers over Finstall Park after Bromsgrove failed to perform at Broadstreet on Saturday. Coach Dean Ball blasted his players for their lacklustre display that still leaves
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6/4/05 - Award is honour for all at the club
IT was pleasing to win the manager of the month award for March -- though I would credit the honour to everybody involved at Worcester City. Those sort of awards are not just won by the manager, they are won by everyone who contributes to a football club's
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Bennett bags final win at the Fishery
Evesham Jubilee Society THERE was excellent sport when members competed at the Fishery for the final time before the venue reopens on May 1. Carp, chub, tench and roach were all netted with Brian Bennett taking first place. Members are asked to note that
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Chaddesley Gardeners
Ian and Dawn Nex demonstrated to a well-attended meeting on how much gardeners can do to provide winter interest in their gardens. Ian's talk, entitled trees and shrubs for winter interest, was illustrated by a very interesting collection of slides, plus
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Catshill WI
The president, Mary Davies, opened the meeting and warmly welcomed everyone. Business commenced with news of a Catshill village funday, to be held on Saturday, June 18. The object of the day will be to help raise funds to maintain the George Wagstaff
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Canine Society
BROMSGROVE AND DISTRICT CANINE SOCIETY RINGCRAFT SECTION Members of Ringcraft enjoyed much success at this year's Crufts, held at the NEC, Birmingham. Our star performer was Nicky Colson with her flat coated retriever Rosie who won the bitch challenge
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Sidemoor WI
The president Maureen Smith welcomed members to the 49th birthday meeting of Sidemoor WI. A special welcome was given to WI advisor Greta Mitchell. The institute was toasted by the members with a glass of sherry. Easter eggs were collected. These are
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Bromsgrove WI
The March meeting was as usual our birthday meeting so members joined us from Dodford, Fairfield, and Sidemoor. Brenda, our president, welcomed the visitors and thanked members for giving lots of Easter eggs for children of Chadsgrove School. Betty gave
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Bring on the clown
THE person responsible for partially closing Deansway during the Wednesday evening and Thursday morning rush hours should be placed in the stocks by St Andrew's spire. But it should be done at night to avoid disruption - I'm sure thousands would turn
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Stoke Prior WI
President Betty Wolsey welcomed members to the meeting. Thanks were expressed to Betty Gibbs for ensuring that the hall was adequately heated for the meeting. The recent long cold spell has prevented some of the older members attending. Margaret Chance
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Raiders target tea rooms
A POPULAR town centre tea room was forced to close after thieves broke in and left fridge doors open. Co-owner Marie Turton discovered the break-in last Thursday morning at the Regency Tea Rooms, in High Street. Thieves had prised off an iron security
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Under the hammer
Parents and teachers at a Bromsgrove school have organised a fun way to raise money, writes Lizzie Bryce. The Parent Teacher Association at South Bromsgrove High School has arranged an auction of goods and promises. All proceeds from the event, on Friday
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Rover hoping it won't be the end of the road
A SPECIAL working group is being set up to help find employment and retrain Bromsgrove workers who may lose their jobs at Longbridge-based MG Rover. The group, which could consist of a recruitment agency, the employment service, NEW College and MG Rover
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Gordon Giltrap and The Sheffield Philharmonic Orchestra Symphony Hall
Gordon Giltrap admits he has problems distinguishing a crotchet from a hatchet. But place a guitar in the hands of this adopted Brummie and he becomes a musical maestro. At Birmingham's Symphony Hall for a one-off concert, he showed just why he has built
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Glimpse of our yesteryears through a lens
A SPECTACULAR collection of more than 2,000 Victorian photographs taken by a Bromsgrove photographer at the turn of the nineteenth century will go on display in the town. The glass negatives, taken by Joseph Hughes, were discovered by Bob Richardson,
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Prayers for the pope
WORSHIPPERS at churches of all denominations in Bromsgrove joined in prayer on Sunday to celebrate the life and mourn the death of Pope John Paul II. The 84-year-old head of the Roman Catholic church died on Saturday evening after a long illness. On Sunday
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Taking a walk on the wild side
NATURE-lovers will be taking a walk on the wild side during a series of free events, Worcestershire Wildlife Week, which runs from May 7-15, will celebrate the area's wide variety of wildlife. The week is being organised by the Worcestershire Wildlife
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UKIP to stand in the Beacon
VOTERS in one Bromsgrove area, who are disillusioned at the prospect of more EU controls on Britain, will have the chance to show their feelings in next month's county council elections. The newly-created Beacon division, which takes in Rubery, Cofton
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Church inspires a mosaic marvel
CREATIVE children at a Spa school have been linking up with a parish church. The tots at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School were inspired by the beautiful mosaics in the Sacred Heart Church, in Droitwich. And, with the help of Worcester artist Tina Farrimond
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Use old school for community
A CONCERNED councillor has called for a soon-to-be empty village school to be used for community use. Bromsgrove district councillor John Tidmarsh (Con-Stoke Prior) said Redgrove School, in Shaw Lane, should be preserved before a "golden opportunity"
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Push for cycle volunteers
VOLUNTEERS are needed to help youngsters get on their bikes and make sure they ride safely. Mayor of Droitwich, Councillor Anne Taft, (Con-Droitwich South East), Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator David Paget and Worcestershire County Council's road safety
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The Sugarland Express (PG)
Steven Spielberg's first theatrical feature, based on a true story, follows the adventures of a Texan outlaw couple striving to keep their family together against all odds. Determined not to lose her child to the authorities, Lou Jean Poplin (Goldie Hawn
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A Cinderella Story (PG)
ALL-American sweetheart Hilary Duff stretches her acting ability to the max in the title role of this saccharine, up-to-date version of the classic fairy tale. High school student Sam (Duff) lives at the beck and call of her wicked step mum (Jennifer
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Duel (PG) Special edition
MILD-mannered travelling salesman David Mann (Dennis Weaver) finds himself and his car the innocent targets of a gigantic Petetbilt 351 truck and its maniacal driver. Along a huge stretch of freeway, Mann is shunted, raced, overtaken and terrified by
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Bullseye! Busy Rachael's going up in the world
CONSISTENCY on the oche has seen Rachael Dixon move four places up the darts world rankings, writes Mervyn Collins. It's been a busy schedule since the season started last November but the Vale player's accuracy has brought its rewards. In addition to
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Tough hosts no match for promotion seekers
Ledbury 3pts, Pershore 32 SATURDAY provided another emphatic victory for promotion chasing Pershore against a tough home side. Ledbury have been a tough nut to crack all season, particularly at home, and this clash was played at a frantic pace with no
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New Road duo help stalwarts prepare for summer season
LAST Saturday saw Worcestershire CCC's entire squad turn out in force to help local clubs with their renovations and refurbishments for the biggest cricketing initiative in England and Wales. David Leatherdale and Daryl Mitchell headed over to 98-year-old
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It's not too late!
DUE to a last minute rush to enter, the organisers of the Blackthorn British Skittles Cham-pionships have agreed to put the closing date for entries back to next Tuesday, April 12. The championships are split into three categories, men's, ladies and mixed
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Bunds are not works of art
MAY I refer to the letter from Mr Saunt of Jays Close? (Advertiser, March 23) The grass mounds or bunds built at several places in Redditch over the last few years were put there to prevent the land behind them from being used unlawfully by itinerant
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Tough hosts no match for promotion seekers
Ledbury 3pts, Pershore 32 SATURDAY provided another emphatic victory for promotion chasing Pershore against a tough home side. Ledbury have been a tough nut to crack all season, particularly at home, and this clash was played at a frantic pace with no
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Shock as yobs shoot birds at lake
CRUEL yobs have been shooting birds on Redditch's Arrow Valley Lake with an air rifle and then taking their bodies away in black bags. Horrified staff at the Arrow Valley Countryside Centre are appealing to residents to help them catch the two young men
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Strategy to slash crime
AN ambitious plan to cut crime in Redditch by 17.5 per cent in three years has been announced by the Community Safety Partnership amid political squabbling over whether crime has fallen or not. This week, a Community Safety Strategy controversially stated
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Unwelcome visitor
A CAR crashed into a house in Honeychurch Close, Smallwood, in the early hours of Friday. Firefighters had to remove the car from the front of the house. No-one was seriously hurt. Police were already in Honeychurch Close, dealing with a fight, when the
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Backing for pitches plan
REDDITCH United Football Club's controversial plan to extend its training facilities onto a neighbouring field has been cautiously welcomed by a borough councillor. Greg Chance and fellow central ward councillor Debbie Taylor support the proposal, providing
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Identity theory on woods body
A BODY found in woodland near Redditch last week is believed to be that of a missing Bromsgrove man who died from a gunshot wound. A handgun was found near the body, which police say could be that of 45-year-old slaughterman Christopher Jones, who had
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Play area plan sparks antisocial fears
RESIDENTS' dreams for a new play area in Crabbs Cross could be scuppered tonight because of fears it would attract more antisocial behaviour. More than 300 residents had signed a petition asking the council to install new play equipment, goalposts and
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Martin's masterstroke
THE assistant manager of a Redditch shop has written the only book in existence which will help people create beautiful artistic impressions of their favourite photographs using a computer programme. Martin Addison, who works at WH Smith, has just completed
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Runaway attacker given prison term
A MAN who went on the run for more than three years after a violent incident in a Redditch pub has been jailed for 12 months. Andrew Biggs stamped on Mark Venables' face and was caught on a security camera kicking another victim, said Jonathan Challinor
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Call up your war memories
IT is 60 years since the Second World War finally came to an end after six years of blood, sweat and tears. The people of the Midlands played a crucial part as the workshop and bread basket of the war effort. We need them again - we need their memories
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Light and shade of a Royal tour
A MUCH-admired Redditch-born painter has returned from Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand and Fiji where he was the official tour artist for Prince Charles. Alan Cotton is one of Britain's most distinctive landscape painters and has been exhibiting with
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'As much in love as they ever were'
CHILDHOOD sweethearts Gerald and Violet Paggett have shown their significant difference in height was not a stretch for love after celebrating 60 years of wedded bliss. The happy couple marked last week's milestone anniversary with a family party at The
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Surprise celebration
SIXTY years ago, wedding bells were ringing for one Church Hill couple. Margaret and Douglas Shenton, of Upperfields Close, marked their Diamond Wedding anniversary on Thursday with a surprise celebration with their extensive family. The couple, who are
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Ron's digging in to help
A GREEN-fingered Wythall man has shown he is the cream of the crop by tending to the care home garden where he is a day patient. Residents at the Brambles residential home, Birchfield Road, wanted to thank Ron Randle for bringing a splash of colour to
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Neal's need for speed
MATT Neal believes he can take advantage of the most open British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) in years to challenge for the title this season. The Droitwich driver goes into the first meeting at Donnington Park on Sunday in confident mood after recording
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Cookhill Keyboard Club
AT the concert on March 18, Penny Weedon delighted a packed house with her superb programme and performance and with her sense of humour - largely at her own expense. There is little doubt both members and the large number of non-members who attended
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Cookhill WI
THE March meeting was members' night, when Hilary Armitage and Margaret Jones acted as president and secretary respectively. There have been various invitations, including a talk on the history of the Jewellery Quarter at Bentley on April 12 and a trip
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Cymdeithas Gymraeg (Redditch Welsh Society)
AT the March meeting, Mrs Pat Radford welcomed everyone and paid tribute to Mrs Gwen Jones, who had died. Gwen was the widow of first president the Rev Trevor Jones. Pat then introduced speaker Michael Davies, who explained the philosophy and practicalities
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Bank show fight as Hillcrest falter after good start
ASTWOOD Bank came from 4-1 down to beat Hillcrest 6-4 in the Bromsgrove and Redditch Table Tennis League Division One. Wins for Margaret Dignum (2) and Dave Wood (2) in the singles and the doubles saw off Hillcrest, who had Darren Williams and Alan McLoughlin
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Bromsgrove feel the strain
BROMSGROVE Golf Club were double losers to Worcestershire rivals Gaudet Luce over the weekend. The club's juniors suffered a 5-1 defeat at the hands of their neighbours from Droitwich in a pre-season friendly. James Wheeler and Henry Lydiatt were the
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Blaze tighten grip on title
BASKETBALL: Bromsgrove Blaze A 118 Redditch Royals 49 BLAZE put themselves at the top of the Worcestershire Junior Division by thrashing their county rivals. Bromsgrove enhanced their title chances and avenged losing to Redditch earlier in the season
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100 years ago
April 8, 1905 ALFRED W Smart, Grange Street, was summoned for having no control over a horse and cart in Peakman Street, on March 28th. Pc Bonnel gave evidence. Defendant pleaded not guilty and said he paid a man to stand by the horse while he made a
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Big screen is a bonus
THE good news is that the Land Rover sponsored Gatcombe Novice and Intermediate Event which takes place this weekend features a full entry of riders on both days. The even better news is that all spectators on Saturday can watch the John Smith's Grand
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A hat-trick for Hartwell after triumphs at table
LAST Saturday's Evesham and District Association's Finals Night at Bengeworth Church House saw Matt Hartwell regain the Bob Bryant School of Motoring Men's Singles with a 7-11, 11-7, 11-7, 9-11, 11-8 win over Doug Payne. Earlier in the evening, both Hartwell
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It's not too late!
DUE to a last minute rush to enter, the organisers of the Blackthorn British Skittles Cham-pionships have agreed to put the closing date for entries back to next Tuesday, April 12. The championships are split into three categories, men's, ladies and mixed
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Smyly sights success
KIM Smyly saddled three winners when the Cotswold staged their meeting at Andoversford and, while it is too much to expect the Stanton trainer to repeat that feat, the stable is likely to enjoy further success on Sunday afternoon. Willie the Kid has run
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Pickford picks up the cup
THERE was action all day at Evesham's Common Road club last Sunday when members competed for the Chel-may Cup. There were three one-hour races and there were with many capsizes with John O'Brian (2), Paul Donnahey (3) and Tony Jacks who nearly reached
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Town's young have 'waited long enough'
WORK on Alcester's new Guide and Scout headquarters looks set to start in the summer - despite being turned down for a lottery grant. Campaigners have decided to apply for a £50,000 loan from the national Scout Organisation which, with the funds already
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Battle on bulldozers
BIDFORD residents were preparing for another fight with developers today in their bid to save a Victorian schoolhouse from the bulldozer. Last week, they persuaded planners to defer their decision on Westbury Homes' application to replace the building
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Market theme
CHARITIES and groups will be exploiting their French connections at Alcester's street market this summer. The town's 32nd annual market takes place on Sunday, June 12, and with organisers planning a French feel for the event, organisations taking part
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School's design delights
CLARICE Cliff would have been proud of the ceramic creations produced by pupils at Great Alne Primary School during a recent art event. The famous designs were re-created on paper plates and proudly displayed at the school for all to see.
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Town pays tribute to Pope
MEMBERS of Alcester's Roman Catholic community have been mourning the death of Pope John Paul II in services and private prayers over the past few days. The 84-year-old Pope died on Saturday night. The outpouring of grief, mingled with celebration of
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London Marathon round-up
AN Oakenshaw man is looking to give Paula Radcliffe a run for her money when he takes part in the London Marathon. Alan Lawrence (pictured), of Painswick Close, is hoping to raise at least £1,200 for Vitalise, a charity which provides breaks for disabled
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Dance troupe steps in
ONE of the groups performing at this year's CAFE will be One Step Beyond, an Appalachian dance troop based in the heart of Redditch. In 1988, three town women witnessed a "precision Appalachian step clogging" dance performance that was to change their
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Quarry fears
PARISH councillors are concerned over proposals for a massive gravel quarry near Bidford. RMC Minerals wants to create the 49-hectare quarry at Broom Court Farm and carry gravel on an open conveyor belt across farmland to the company's Marsh Farm Quarry
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A packed programme promised
PLANS are progressing well for the Community Arts Festival Event (CAFE) in Redditch, which culminates on June 11. The CAFE committee is hard at work finalising the arrangements for an eerie ghost walk on the evening of Thursday, June 9, and a variety
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REFEREES FLEE FURIOUS FANS
TWO referees were chased off a basketball court by fans after passions boiled over at a game. The officials were locked in dressing rooms for their safety, then smuggled out of a back door to waiting cars after a Worcester Wolves clash against Worthing
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Traveller families bed down on county sites
TRAVELLERS have descen-ded on sites around the county. Around 10 caravans housing six families parked behind offices on Bromwich Road, Lower Wick, Worcester, opposite the Jet garage, on Friday night before moving to the old Worcester Royal Infirmary on
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Vicious vandals stoned my car
A PARISH council chairman is outraged after vandals smashed his car windscreen with stones - just minutes after councillors discussed plans for a £50,000 playground to be built for youngsters in the area. St Peter's Parish Council chairman Ross McFarlane's
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You can help out in canal clean-up
VOLUNTEERS are needed to help in a major clean-up of the Worcester & Birmingham Canal. A barge will travel from Diglis Basin to Blackpole collecting litter from the canal banks, towpath and the water. On board will be a number of recycling banks so
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The Mormons who swapped the Malvern Hills for Utah
The barren territory of the American West may be a far cry from the gentle green slopes of the Malvern Hills, but the founding of a major religious organisation connects the two places. A total of 80,000 people from the United Kingdom, including nearly
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We're fighting homes plan
NEIGHBOURS in Pershore are fighting a planning application for homes on their doorstep for the third time. Homeowners are once again in uproar over plans to build on two fields on the town's boundary. The current application for Hurst Meadows, Wyre Road
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On the organ
A NEW series of organ recitals arranged by Hill Organ Promotion Society kicks off tomorrow at Kidderminster Town Hall. Town Hall organist Timothy Morris, who is also chairman of the society, will play from 1.10pm to 2pm and admission is £4.
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Seasons in one evening
THE English Symphony Orchestra welcome to the Malvern Theatres on Friday one of the world's most eminent baroque violinists - Monica Huggett. She will perform an evening of Vivaldi entitled 'Four Seasons' as part of the orchestras 2005 Spring Season.
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Sad Stanley finds himself in another mess
Review - The Birthday Party at the Festival Theatre, Malvern, until Saturday. SINISTER events unfold in a somewhat seedy seaside 'boarding house' on Stanley's birthday. He's a long-staying guest, but his continued residency and his mundane life becomes
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A man's world at Malvern...
By Lynda Morrison ALL-male theatre company Propeller presents Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale at Malvern's Festival Theatre from next Wednesday. Described as "one of the most haunting and profound stories Shakespeare ever wrote", the play tells the story
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Plays galore
THEATRE lovers are in for a treat when an annual festival starts. Worcestershire Theatre Festival will be held at the Evesham Arts Centre, Victoria Avenue, on Saturday, April 9, at 1pm. The day long event will feature a total of seven plays, with four
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Star names head for hills
A HOST of star names - Peter Bowles, Sian Phillips, Leslie Grantham, Jean Boht, Shirley Anne Field, Susie Amy, Gaby Roslin, Clare Teal and Julian Lloyd Webber- will be coming to the Malvern Theatres this summer. There's a fantastically diverse line up
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Gordon Giltrap and The Sheffield Philharmonic Orchestra Symphony Hall
Gordon Giltrap admits he has problems distinguishing a crotchet from a hatchet. But place a guitar in the hands of this adopted Brummie and he becomes a musical maestro. At Birmingham's Symphony Hall for a one-off concert, he showed just why he has built
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The Sugarland Express (PG)
Steven Spielberg's first theatrical feature, based on a true story, follows the adventures of a Texan outlaw couple striving to keep their family together against all odds. Determined not to lose her child to the authorities, Lou Jean Poplin (Goldie Hawn
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A Cinderella Story (PG)
ALL-American sweetheart Hilary Duff stretches her acting ability to the max in the title role of this saccharine, up-to-date version of the classic fairy tale. High school student Sam (Duff) lives at the beck and call of her wicked step mum (Jennifer
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Time to rock
A POPULAR Bromsgrove rock act is set to wow crowds with their mix of original music and cover tunes. Snakeskin Rose, will play the Hop Pole Inn, Old Birmingham Road, tomorrow. For more information about the band and future gigs visit www.snakeskinrose.com
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Tribute show
TWO top tribute acts will be asking townsfolk to 'Let us entertain you' when they play Bromsgrove. The Frank and Robbie Show is set to play the Hilton Hotel, in Birmingham Road, on Friday, April 15. Hits by Robbie Williams such as 'Millennium' and 'She's
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Chart stars hit Brum
THERE'S the chance to see chart topping pop stars in the musical Love Shack. It will run from Monday, April 25, until Saturday, April 30, at the Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham. The cast is lead by S Club's Jon Lee, who has just finished starring in a West
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Call goes out for singers
CASTING its net far and wide for a special celebration of Mozart next month is Ludlow's enterprising choral society. It wants to draft in amateur singers from all over the Midlands for its Mozart Fest in St Laurence's Church on May 14. The event is in
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Chart toppers set to play
MUSIC lovers are in for a treat this summer with some of the most accomplished British bands of the last two decades playing at Gloucestershire's Westonbirt Arboretum. Madness will showcase their unique brand of ska on June 17, while Jools Holland and
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Hit and miss - like America's version of history
Review: Churchill: The Hollywood Years (15) AMERICA'S habit of changing history to make it look like they won World War Two completely on their own is mercilessly sent up in this hit-and-miss spoof. Remember Winston Churchill as the venerable old chap
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Where to go
Wednesday April 6 Music: Manic Street Preachers, Civic Hall, North Street, Wolverhampton. Theatre: Big Wooden Horse, The Legend of Perseus, mac, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham. Music: My Chemical Romance, Wulfrun Hall, North Street, Wolverhampton. Thursday
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Dancers set the stage on fire!
"A MAGICAL and entertaining" double bill of dance, created especially for children aged six-10 and their families can be enjoyed at DanceXchange at The Patrick Centre, Birmingham Hippodrome, next week. Bare Bones, the resident dance company at DanceXchange
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Musical date
THE stage is set for the first musical production at Bromsgrove's new theatre. Bromsgrove Operatic Society is performing Me and My Girl at the Artrix, in School Drive, from Monday, May 9, to Saturday, May 14. The performances will feature songs such as
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Coming in from the cold
A MAGICAL Shakespeare play will be performed at a Malvern theatre next week. The Winter's Tale, one of the most haunting and profound plays the Bard ever wrote, will be performed by the Watermill Theatre in a touring production at the Festival Theatre
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Marital musings
A COMEDY portraying a mid-life marital crisis is set to keep audiences laughing. Conjugal Rites, written by Roger Hall, opens for a four-night stint next week at the Norbury Theatre, Friar Street, Droitwich, on Wednesday, April 13. The play focuses on
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Fame calls
PREPARE yourselves for loads of lycra clad wannabes as all-sing-all-dancing musical Fame comes to the Birmingham Hippodrome between April 18 and 23. Based on the Academy Award winning movie, which defined the 1980s, the show charts the highs and lows
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New Order Waiting for the Siren's call
WHILE time has marched on since New Order's heyday back in the 1980s, it seems the band's distinctive sound has not. This has the unfortunate effect of leaving the listener with a feeling of having heard it all before and being stuck in some kind of bad
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Ocean Colour Scene A Hyperactive Workout For The Flying Squad
APPARENTLY, this is Ocean Colour Scene's best album since Moseley Shoals. High praise indeed and a sentence that really tells you something when there's been about 10 years and six albums between the two. Whatever the boys from Birmingham have been up
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Duel (PG) Special edition
MILD-mannered travelling salesman David Mann (Dennis Weaver) finds himself and his car the innocent targets of a gigantic Petetbilt 351 truck and its maniacal driver. Along a huge stretch of freeway, Mann is shunted, raced, overtaken and terrified by
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Chart stars hit Brum
THERE'S the chance to see chart topping pop stars in the musical Love Shack. It will run from Monday, April 25, until Saturday, April 30, at the Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham. The cast is lead by S Club's Jon Lee, who has just finished starring in a West
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Date
Call goes out for singers
CASTING its net far and wide for a special celebration of Mozart next month is Ludlow's enterprising choral society. It wants to draft in amateur singers from all over the Midlands for its Mozart Fest in St Laurence's Church on May 14. The event is in
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Date
Seasons in one evening
THE English Symphony Orchestra welcome to the Malvern Theatres on Friday one of the world's most eminent baroque violinists - Monica Huggett. She will perform an evening of Vivaldi entitled 'Four Seasons' as part of the orchestras 2005 Spring Season.
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Lady sings the blues
THE sound of blues singer Connie Lush can be heard at Worcester's Marr's Bar this week. Connie is now widely recognised as one of the UK's finest blues singers . She was voted Best UK Female Vocalist by the readers of Blues In Britain on five occasions
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Chart toppers set to play
MUSIC lovers are in for a treat this summer with some of the most accomplished British bands of the last two decades playing at Gloucestershire's Westonbirt Arboretum. Madness will showcase their unique brand of ska on June 17, while Jools Holland and
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Cheers for our spears
A FARMER who bet he could produce the first crop of British asparagus this year is being given a run for his money by Worcestershire growers. County growers have begun to cut the vegetable three weeks before the traditional start of the season and one
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Epilepsy sufferer fell into the Severn
AN epilepsy sufferer suffered a fit as he walked along the River Severn, fell in and drowned, an inquest heard. Thomas Loveridge was walking along the towpath 200 yards from the Diglis Hotel with his friend Paul Mann on Friday, March 11 when the incident
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Party surprise for golden duo
A COUPLE from Fernhill Heath, near Worcester, have told of their delight after a surprise party was thrown for them in celebration of their golden wedding anniversary. Eileen and John Worth, of Cresswell Close, were told that they were going out for a
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Age is no barrier to keep fit group
AGE is no bar to keeping fit for people who take part in Extend exercise classes. Teacher Jeanette Bourne, who has a a Monday class at Warmstry Court, in Worcester city centre and another on Wednesday mornings in Hallow Parish Hall, has pupils of all
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Gunman in store raid
A GUN-toting thief stole a large quantity of cash from Aldi supermarket in Trescott Road, Redditch. The raid happened on Thursday at 5pm when a man approached an open till and took the cash. He left the store and was chased by staff but produced what
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06/04/05 - Rovers enter crunch time
MANAGER Jimmy Mullen has not given up on Bromsgrove Rovers gaining automatic promotion from the Southern League Division One West - despite Monday's draw with Sutton. The Rovers boss has targeted four wins from their final games to give them a chance
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Hit and miss - like America's version of history
Review: Churchill: The Hollywood Years (15) AMERICA'S habit of changing history to make it look like they won World War Two completely on their own is mercilessly sent up in this hit-and-miss spoof. Remember Winston Churchill as the venerable old chap
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Sad Stanley finds himself in another mess
Review - The Birthday Party at the Festival Theatre, Malvern, until Saturday. SINISTER events unfold in a somewhat seedy seaside 'boarding house' on Stanley's birthday. He's a long-staying guest, but his continued residency and his mundane life becomes
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HOME ADVANTAGE
REDDITCH United will play their Birmingham Senior Cup Final against Birmingham City at Valley Stadium on April 26. The Reds were given an option of venues between Solihull Borough's Damson Park and their own ground by the Birmingham County FA after St
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Sands of time slip by Arrows
TERRY Sands could never have imagined the sucess of Redditch Arrows from its humble beginnings. Now - 20 years on - the founder and life president is arranging a reunion bash to celebrate. Sands was bitten by the American Football bug after numerous trips
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Satlwarts leave in club shake-up
THERE have been more ins and outs at Redditch Arrows than the hokey-cokey this close season. After their unbelievable unbeaten season last year in the South Western Division Two the Arrows are eager to go again. Their first game on Sunday, April 10 against
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Ball and Hamilton set to return at Ashford
MANAGER Dave Busst is expected to reinstate Richard Ball and Stuart Hamilton into Evesham United's starting line-up for two crucial Division One West matches in the space of four days. The unavailability of John Gayle, preferred to top scorer Ball last
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Where to go
Wednesday April 6 Music: Manic Street Preachers, Civic Hall, North Street, Wolverhampton. Theatre: Big Wooden Horse, The Legend of Perseus, mac, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham. Music: My Chemical Romance, Wulfrun Hall, North Street, Wolverhampton. Thursday
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Rickards to the rescue
Redditch United 1 Runcorn FC Halton 0 AFTER a barren spell of three losses on the trot the Reds got back to winning ways against Nationwide North strugglers Runcorn thanks to a single goal by Scott Rickards. The Redditch striker was quickest to react
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Clubs stolen
POLICE are appealing for information after a distinctive set of tailor-made golf clubs were stolen. Thieves broke into the garage of a house in the Turnpike Lane area of Brockhill between 10.30pm on Friday and 11.30am the next day and stole the clubs
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Bromsgrove RFC First XV fixtures 2004/2005
HOME, away (Midlands One fixtures unless stated) SEPTEMBER Sat 4 BROADSTREET 29-0 Sat 11 Dunstablians 31-42 Sat 25 KETTERING 19-38 OCTOBER Sat 2 Leicester Lions 17-54 Sat 9 LUCTONIANS 17-12 Sat 23 Derby 16-9 Sat 30 LONGTON 32-15 NOVEMBER Sat 13 Scunthorpe
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Late leveller hits promotion quest
Evesham Utd 1, Yate Tn 1 WITHOUT wishing to reopen old wounds, Saturday's important Division One West contest was a huge anti-climax, writes Mervyn Collins. The Robins didn't show anything like their real form yet were within two minutes of claiming three
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Eatery scheme for post office
BATCHLEY Post Office, which sold its final stamp earlier this year, could be turned into an eatery. A planning application has been submitted to Redditch Council seeking permission to convert the Batchley Road premises into a restaurant, caf or snack
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Breathing space is welcome for Bees
Studley 2 Cradley Town 0 STUDLEY have just five games left to make sure they avoid Midland Alliance relegation. Goals either side of the break courtesy of Adam Blake and Anthony Savery on Saturday have given the Bees a one point cushion and a game in
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Concern at homes plan
PROPOSALS which could have seen the old Megabowl site in Greenlands demolished and redeveloped have been recommended for refusal by planning officers. Craypond Limited applied to Redditch Council to develop 131 apartments on the old bowling alley site
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Dancers set the stage on fire!
"A MAGICAL and entertaining" double bill of dance, created especially for children aged six-10 and their families can be enjoyed at DanceXchange at The Patrick Centre, Birmingham Hippodrome, next week. Bare Bones, the resident dance company at DanceXchange
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Local teams in county quest
LITTLETON Reserves and Bretforton Sports Club Old Boys are in Worcestershire FA County Cup final action this weekend. The former, members of the Stratford Alliance, face Kidderminster League side K S Athletic contest in the Saturday Minor Cup Final that
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Junior round-up . . . Junior round-up . . . Junior round-up
Balsall Hornets 1, Evesham Utd U-14 3 UNITED travelled to Balsall Common at the start of their cup final preparation and produced a strong, disciplined performance to overcome the Mid-Warwickshire League champions. Despite Hornets taking the lead after
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Glory for Gareth in knockouts
KNOCKOUT action took centre stage in the Stratford and District Alliance last weekend when a quartet of clubs made progress in four separate competitions. Jon Guest and Jim Bunn found the net while an own goal also helped Quinton defeat Southam 3-1 to
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Seven out of 10 want new hospital at Seaford Court
Seven out of 10 people want to see the new Malvern Hospital built at Seaford Court, according to the results of a recent public consultation. The majority also see a minor injuries unit as a priority. A report on the consultation will be presented to
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Showman given a real send-off
HUNDREDS of mourners in Malvern paid tribute to a showman who lived and loved the fairground life. A funeral service for David Rogers, who died aged 56 on March 16, was held on Wednesday at St Matthias' Church. Mr Rogers was a member of the family who
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Hill-top haul to re-enact pioneering tale of struggle
A pioneering tale of struggle will be re-enacted in Malvern. Around 120 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints will dress in American period costume and haul 12 hand-carts up Worcestershire Beacon. The event, on Saturday, April 9,
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Boddy's belief in City charge
DAVE Boddy believes Worcester City can scoop the maximum 15 points from their end-of-season run-in -- providing they triumph at Stafford Rangers and Altrincham. In-form City need to land five straight wins to give themselves a realistic opportunity of
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Bulls up to third but more twists ahead
AS they streamed away from Edgar Street last night, fans of Hereford and Carlisle could have been forgiven for wishing the season had ended with the final whistle of their important Conference match. The shared points, which ensured Barnet could not be
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Jefferson pounces to clinch double
WESTFIELDS completed a Travel Factory Alliance double when they beat Racing Club Warwick 1-0 at allpay.park last night. A goal from recalled striker Chris Jefferson separated the two sides in an entertaining end-to-end match. Westfields, who had won 1
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Pershore draw with high-fliers
IMPROVING Pershore Town were held 1-1 at home by third-placed Coventry Sphinx last night. Pershore's results have improved to pull them away from the Midland Combination Premier Division relegation zone in recent weeks. They are without a game this weekend
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Teenager misses out on jump-off
HANLEY Castle High School pupil Sophie Perry has missed a place in the jump-off at the 2005 Pony Club Dengie Winter League show jumping championships. More than 80 riders from all over the British Isles qualified for the final at Warwickshire College.
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Campbell and Smee get first
THREE races were staged at Arden Sailing Club's (Defford) annual Easter Egg event. The first handicap race was won by the Enterprise of Niall Campbell and Jane Smee from Andrew Potts (Solo) and Ralph Evans (Solo). Evans won the second pursuit race from
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Harry just too Sharpe
JUNIOR FOOTBALL: Studley Juniors under 12A demolished Coppice United 8-1 on Easter Monday despite being a player short. Hat-trick hero Harry Sharpe took the man of the match award to add to his treble. Nathan Hurly and Joseph Levermore both hit two and
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Players brush up on skills
THE Cricket Force was with Ashton CC last Saturday when David Leatherdale and Daryl Mitchell got down to some serious work in readiness for next month's start of the new season. The two Worcestershire CCC players were, like their fellow New Road men,
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Nets next week
AFTER a well attended winter programme of coaching indoors, youngsters from Evesham Cricket Club move outdoors next week in readiness for the start of the new season. Coaching and practice for youngsters up to the age of 16 will be held every Wednesday
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Youngsters are well catered for in village
EXHALL and Wixford will again be entering two sides - Under-16 and Under-13 - in this season's Cotswold Hills Junior League. The club also run a highly successful Kwik Cricket evening each Monday from early June through to end of the Summer term and would
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25 years ago April 3, 1980
A FIRE destroyed the Jehovah's Witnesses' Kingdom Hall, in York Road, Sidemoor, during the early hours of Sunday causing £40,000 worth of damage. Some nearby residents were evacuated as firemen from Bromsgrove and Redditch fought to control the blaze.
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Building could fill new roles
IT was understood that Redgrove School in Stoke Works, now scheduled for closure, has an uncertain future. The building is very much a part of the Stoke Works heritage and could be used to satisfy the needed social centre for village activities catering
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Return it
I WAS horrified to read that we have been over charged by two per cent by the Conservative controlled Bromsgrove District Council. I think the people of Bromsgrove should be refunded this figure. It amazes me, if we owe the council anything we get letters
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Cutting out extra waste
REGARDING the letter from Ian Spencer and the difficulties he has encountered with his wheelie bin. We acknowledge our failure to deliver his second bin, which has now been remedied. But the main thrust of the letter refers to the council removing waste
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Rovers enter crunch time
MANAGER Jimmy Mullen has not given up on Bromsgrove Rovers gaining automatic promotion from the Southern League Division One West - despite Monday's draw with Sutton. The Rovers boss has targeted four wins from their final games to give them a chance
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Promotion in sight
Droitwich Spa 3 Castle Vale 1 SPA'S promotion hopes remain alive and kicking in the Midland Combination Division Two after an emphatic win on Saturday. Strikes by Gregg Cooper, Andy Keenahan and Richard Maguire enhanced Spa's chances. Droitwich's reserves
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Ravens get ready to roll
THE town's new rugby league outfit Redditch Ravens have just finished their first training session at Abbey Stadium as they prepare for the summer season. In order to give the Ravens a professional start to the season, arrangements are already being made
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Rubery edge final
Advertiser/Messenger League RUBERY RBL lifted the Centenary Cup on Sunday night after winning a thrilling final 3-2. Rubery were given a tough game by Wychbold Wanderers at Redditch United, but edged to victory. In Division One Cofton Falcons defeated
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Junior football round-up
Callowbrook Swifts U6s A 2 Balsall Common U6s A 0 Dominic Martin and Sam Power saw off Balsall. Jay Forrester was man of the match. Callowbrook Swifts U6s 1 Redditch United U6s 9 Nathan Derrick got a consolation goal for Swifts. Callowbrook Swifts U7s
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Safe swim lessons are a priority
I WRITE as a former secretary and swimming teacher of the Droitwich Dolphins in the days when the only pool we had in which to teach non-swimmers was the Lido. Today, we anticipate the re-opening of the canal and a 'water feature' in the park and there
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Beginning to look Bard!
THE Pleasure Park, How fantastic. What a brilliant scheme. To convert our Lido into a pleasure theme. It's so amazing one can only wonder, How Wychavon almost made a blunder. With a Lido, theatre and cinema together, Enjoyment throughout all kinds of
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Litter is big problem
NEVER mind the Doorstep Green being developed along Primsland Way, next time you are passing take a look at the 'Doorstep Dump' being created next door! Our local shopping centre is now rapidly becoming nothing less than a filthy litter strewn car park
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Ocean waves
I WRITE in respect of HMS Protector, a former net layer first commissioned in 1938 and which saw wartime service in Norway and the Eastern Mediterranean in 1941 where she was damaged by an aerial torpedo. After extensive repairs she returned home and
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Ignoring the public
THE standing room only meeting called by SALT (Save A Lido Today) to consider calling a Parish Poll last week was further evidence to Wychavon and the controlling Conservatives how strong the feelings are in the Spa and how so out of touch they are. None
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Volunteering has helped
I WOULD like to thank all the children and young people who volunteered during the second month of the Year of the Volunteer 2005. February was Youth and Children Month and across the country over 50 projects and events attracted new volunteers and helped
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Costly poll
SOME residents in Droitwich are calling for a Parish Poll about the Lido. Knowing the legal rules I believe they should know the true costs and influence a poll has. Parish Polls can only take place between 4 and 7pm, so those voting in national and county
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True figures
OVER the weekend a letter was put through our letterbox listing the names of councillors who voted against the Lido. This was old news as it had appeared in the newspaper after the meeting, however no name was given as to who had prepared this letter.
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Champs show mettle
Evesham 8, Solihull 55pts EVESHAM entertained champions Solihull on Saturday in their penultimate league match. The visitors have not only won the title but have also reached this month's National Vase Trophy final at Twickenham. They showed their pedigree
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Plays galore
THEATRE lovers are in for a treat when an annual festival starts. Worcestershire Theatre Festival will be held at the Evesham Arts Centre, Victoria Avenue, on Saturday, April 9, at 1pm. The day long event will feature a total of seven plays, with four
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Rickards to the rescue
Redditch United 1 Runcorn FC Halton 0 AFTER a barren spell of three losses on the trot the Reds got back to winning ways against Nationwide North strugglers Runcorn thanks to a single goal by Scott Rickards. The Redditch striker was quickest to react
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Mayor right to call for a return of city's carnival
WORCESTER Mayor Allah Ditta is right to suggest a revival of Worcester's carnival. As an ex-carnival chairman myself I would like to make the following points. Carnivals are a wonderful way of spreading happiness. Often, whole families are involved in
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More than 800 foxes legally killed
THE letter from Marion Large (Worcester News, Monday, March 28) confirms the Hunting Act has not and never was intended to save one fox. More than 700 hours of valuable Parliamentary time have been wasted to produce this comedy of errors. Since the Act
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We're on a war footing
APPARENTLY, Roger M Barrett is incapable of understanding that we are, virtually, in a state of war against both internal crime and external terror (Letters, Monday March 28). In such a situation as we find ourselves, it is necessary to curtail the freedom
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War wasn't over for all
I CAN well understand the point N VJones is trying to make (Letters, Tuesday, March 29) concerning the date The Second World War ended. I recollect the widespread hurt experienced in the Far East when people at home began celebrating. Until that date
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No chance of following
MARY Dhonau (Letters, Wednesday, March 30) accuses Labour of following the Liberals in supporting free bus travel. What a laugh. It has been Labour-run authorities that for years have had free bus travel for pensioners - including Birmingham, London and
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Call up for Bank girls
Two cricket mad Astwood Bank girls have been selected to represent Worcestershire at the under 13 level. Clare Boycott and Jenni Haslam (pictured right) have been training throughout the winter at indoor nets in Pershore after successfully coming through
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Funky Friday Feel
FUN-loving girls are being invited to an action-packed activity day this Friday. The Funky Friday event, which is for 12-16-year-olds, offers dance, nail art and fitness yoga. There will even be a chance to have an Indian head massage. The fun will be
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6/4/05 - Hick hits ton but County slip to defeat in final over
WORCESTERSHIRE were beaten by Essex in yesterday's friendly during a dramatic final over at Chelmsford. The game was played as a one-day match over 50 overs each as hopes were not high of enjoying any play today due to the weather. With Essex making 303
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A window in their diaries
A GROUP of stained glass enthusiasts from Cambridgeshire visited Bromsgrove yesterday (Tuesday) to see some local church windows. The Friends of the Stained Glass Museum, based at Ely Cathedral, were due to visit All Saints', St John's and St Mary de
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Success on a plate
A COMMEMORATIVE plate will be up for grabs in this year's Bromsgrove carnival. To mark the 25th anniversary of the restarting of the event, the Red Lion pub, in High Street, has sponsored the special plate for the overall winner of the procession, which
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Tree-mendous
GREEN-fingered townsfolk can check out a trio of rare Japanese giant bonsai trees at Webbs of Wychbold garden centre. The three trees are worth a shocking £40,000. One of them is 149-years-old with the Japanese White Pine having the highest price tag
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Tributes flood in for Jane
A PACKED Tardebigge church heard friends and family pay their last respects to a well-known Bromsgrove woman who was described as an inspiration to all. Esther Jane Boyer, who was known as Jane to her friends, died on March 17 at the age of 99. She founded
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Residents demand a parish poll over lido
A PARISH poll will be called on the future of the Droitwich Spa Lido thanks to the overwhelming response of town people last week. Spa folk voted with their feet at the meeting last Thursday to decide whether a poll should be called. There were so many
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Police name dead man
A man found dead in woodland near Bromsgrove has been named. Police believe the body to be that of missing slaughterman Christopher Jones. A post mortem examination, which was carried out last week, also confirmed that the cause of death was a gunshot
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Shops feel the pinch
SMALL businesses in Bromsgrove could feel the pinch after two dramatic rate rises. Firstly small retailers throughout the country were hit with an average 15.7 per cent rate rise on their premises last week, following a nationwide review conducted every
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MP hits back over leaflet
SPA MP Peter Luff has slammed the distribution of an anonymous leaflet in the town that he says seriously misrepresents his views. Conservative MP Peter Luff said: "The future of the lido is strictly for the town and district council, working with the
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Free passes are a 'con'
DROITWICH MP Peter Luff has labelled the Government's free bus pass scheme for pensioners and the disabled as 'a con trick'. The Conservative MP has dismissed the plans and says there are serious flaws in the scheme. "I had already pointed out free bus
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Worries over jobs at store
A TOWN councillor has raised his concerns that the new Waitrose supermarket may not employ Droitwich Spa people in the available job positions. Councillor John Cook (Lab-West) is worried the 170 opportunities at the new Saltway supermarket will not be
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Cash boost for canal scheme
CANAL lovers received a boost this week when the Spa restoration project was awarded a massive £250,000 windfall from the National Lottery. The cash will help provide a canalside path for walkers and cyclists through Salwarpe valley, as well as a trim
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Residents fear for their safety
RESIDENTS are being terrorised out of their homes by vandals in a Spa street. The residents of Ombersley Street West, who did not want to be named for fear of their safety, are waking up to find their cars and property damaged each weekend. They suspect
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New Order Waiting for the Siren's call
WHILE time has marched on since New Order's heyday back in the 1980s, it seems the band's distinctive sound has not. This has the unfortunate effect of leaving the listener with a feeling of having heard it all before and being stuck in some kind of bad
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Ocean Colour Scene A Hyperactive Workout For The Flying Squad
APPARENTLY, this is Ocean Colour Scene's best album since Moseley Shoals. High praise indeed and a sentence that really tells you something when there's been about 10 years and six albums between the two. Whatever the boys from Birmingham have been up
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Late leveller hits promotion quest
Evesham Utd 1, Yate Tn 1 WITHOUT wishing to reopen old wounds, Saturday's important Division One West contest was a huge anti-climax, writes Mervyn Collins. The Robins didn't show anything like their real form yet were within two minutes of claiming three
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New Road duo help stalwarts prepare for summer season
LAST Saturday saw Worcestershire CCC's entire squad turn out in force to help local clubs with their renovations and refurbishments for the biggest cricketing initiative in England and Wales. David Leatherdale and Daryl Mitchell headed over to 98-year-old
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TSUNAMI VILLAGE SAYS THANKS
A MASSIVE £60,000 has been raised by a group of divers for Sri Lankan villagers who saved their lives when the Asian tsunami struck on Boxing Day. And this week, the villagers sent their heartfelt thanks to townsfolk who donated to the Hikkaduwa Village
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Local teams in county quest
LITTLETON Reserves and Bretforton Sports Club Old Boys are in Worcestershire FA County Cup final action this weekend. The former, members of the Stratford Alliance, face Kidderminster League side K S Athletic contest in the Saturday Minor Cup Final that
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Fixtures and tables
Fixture for tomorrow (Friday) Worcestershire FA Saturday Minor Cup final: Littleton v K S Athletic (Pershore Tn, 7.30pm). Saturday Southern League Division One West: Ashford Tn v Evesham Utd. Midland Combination Division One: Stockingford AA v Littleton
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Matt's magic in track start
THERE was debut delight at Donington Park for Vale racer Matt Nicoll-Jones last Sunday. The 19-year-old started the new racing season in spectacular style when taking the chequered flag in the AVO Ginettas race, a support event for Formula 3 and the GT
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Smyly sights success
KIM Smyly saddled three winners when the Cotswold staged their meeting at Andoversford and, while it is too much to expect the Stanton trainer to repeat that feat, the stable is likely to enjoy further success on Sunday afternoon. Willie the Kid has run
