Archive

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Fourth for great gymnasts

ALICE Ottley's girls secured an exceptional fourth position overall in the Independent Schools Championships national finals. Sixteen UK teams were joined by entries from the British School of Brussels and the Netherlands for the finals in Surrey. They

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NIGHT-TIME VISION FOR CITY CCTV

63 'metal mickey' spy cameras get radical £85,000 makeover THE spy camera system in Worcester is undergoing a radical £85,000 makeover - equipping every single one with special night-time vision. The city council said new cameras would make Worcester

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New league in need of teams

A FLEDGLING junior cricket league is looking for teams to sign up in time for the new season. The Under-15s Junior Cricket League needs eight teams to take part. Teams will play on the Astroturf pitches at Colmore Farm School and Community Leisure Centre

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Widdecombe tells the WI she's retiring from politics

HUNDREDS of Worcestershire WI members were in the audience to hear colourful MP Ann Widdecombe announce her retirement from British politics. The Conservative favourite was addressing 800 members at their annual council meeting in Malvern Theatres yesterday

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Bishops Wood wins title for environmental arts

PROMOTING green art has led to a county environment centre scooping a national award. Bishops Wood Centre, near Stourport-on-Severn, won the Inspired by Heritage accolade for encouraging residents to get involved with environmental arts. Hundreds of people

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Tutors from across the globe take part in sports week in Worcester

A LIVE transatlantic debate was one of the highlights of an international sports week which was hosted by the University of Worcester. Tutors from across the globe attended the School of Sport and Exercise Science's annual event, which provided students

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Russian journos drop in to Worcester University

A PARTY of Russian business journalists has visited the University of Worcester as part of a tour of UK higher education institutions. The nine journalists were hosted by the university's international department on the trip which was organised by the

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Motorists will be quizzed on new housing developments

MOTORISTS are to be stopped and asked for their opinions on future developments, such as new housing sites and how it will affect traffic timing and flows. Worcestershire County Council's Transport Planning Unit will be conducting 24 surveys in the Worcester

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Coach ushers in new era at Boars

HEAD coach Iain Hall has started his revolution at Bromsgrove RFC by drafting in a fitness expert to get the first team players in super-fit shape. The headman at the Finstall Park club has also hinted that there will be sweeping changes to the coaching

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18/03/06 - Spa win to close in on fourth

Cleobury Mortimer 17 Droitwich 31 Midlands Division Four West (South) DROITWICH took a big step forward to securing fourth place in the Midlands Division Four West (South) by getting the better of Cleobury Mortimer on Saturday. Spa moved to within a point

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Droitwich thrash Malvern

DROITWICH under-15s ran Malvern ragged to beat them 50-7 on Saturday. Will Baillon opened the scoring for Spa when he touched down, before Malvern replied with a converted try. Jack Pomroy restored Droitwich's lead when powered past several tackles to

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All to play for as Reds have rest

REDDITCH United are facing one of the most important weekends in the club's history, despite the prospect of not a ball being kicked on Saturday. With the Reds handed a blank weekend by the Conference North fixture list, manager Gary Whild will be anxiously

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Pay-rise puzzle

I HAVE read with interest an item in the Advertiser indicating that the local coouncil tax is to be increased by 4.99 per cent. I also read that the 'wages' of the district councillors are to be increased by an extremely generous £500 minimum, with a

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Join TV party

DO you want to be on TV? Did you go on a stag or hen party in the 1990s? Channel 4 is making a documentary and is looking for your stories. Were you the stag, the hen, a friend or the strip-o-gram? Maybe you went to Blackpool, Prague or Dublin, or just

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18/03/06 - Taunton rock Rovers

Bromsgrove Rovers 1 Taunton Town 2 Southern League Division One West By Peter McKinney A CLANGER by goalkeeper Lee Evans and a moment of magic made sure that Rovers' woes at the Victoria Ground continued on a bitterly cold Saturday afternoon. There has

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Walsh's late winner books final spot

Fairfield Villa 2 Polesworth North Warwick 1 (Fairfield Villa won 4-2 on aggregate) TWO goals in extra-time ensured Villa booked their place in the final of the Presidents' Cup on Saturday. Polesworth had scored in normal time to make it 2-2 on aggregate

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Millers win lifts Spa to top half

Feckenham Reserves 0 Droitwich Spa 2 DROITWICH cemented their place in the Midland Combination Division Two and strengthened their chances of a mid-table finish by seeing off a strong Feckenham side on Saturday. A spectacular effort by Chris Hartshorne

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Promotion slipping away from grasp

Barnt Green Spartak 0 Alveston 1 PROMOTION slipped further from Barnt Green's grasp in the Midland Combination Premier Division after losing to Galveston on Saturday. Spartak weren't able to hit back after Luke Edwards had put Alveston ahead at Lye Meadow

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You've read the book, seen the film... now visit those Dambuster targets!

I WOULD be grateful if you could bring to your reader's attention the unique service offered by The Birmingham War Research Society which has been taking people on escorted battlefield trips and cemetery visits to northern Europe for nearly 30 years.

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No Kwik fix for Kwik Save

I am delighted to be able to assure Mr John G Smith that his grocery bill need not increase due to his no longer being able to shop at KwikSave. A pricing of a random ten commonly-bought items in KwikSave, Waitrose and Morrisons produced basket prices

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Fears grow for pet stores

I am not excited at the prospect of 15 new jobs being created at the now defunct Kwik Save store, soon to be Wilson's Pets. I am more concerned for the two smaller pet shops which are privately owned and have had to compete with the likes of Wilkinsons

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Happy Pets

MY daughter has a rabbit, His name is Happy Bun. He bounces round the garden. They have a lot of fun. He came from Happy Pets, Hence his happy name. Now Wilson's is a comin', Isn't it a shame? Happy Pets may close, It depends where Joe Public goes! Mrs

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Brilliant piece

WHAT a brilliant piece of journalism. I refer, of course, to last week's article entitled 'Geesers enjoy a close shave'. Excellently written and highly amusing. The basis for a comedy sketch, maybe? John Phillips, Wychbold.

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Drinking alert

Your readers may well have seen recent reports highlighting the issue of young people misusing alcohol. I would like to let everyone in Worcestershire know about our new national awards scheme, which recognises the vital work being done to prevent alcohol

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Birmingham band premier show at theatre

A POWERFUL new musical using the tunes of Birmingham reggae heroes UB40 starts at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre this week. Promises and Lies is the uplifting story of people battling against the odds to survive on the fringes of a big city. The international

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Stoke Prior WI

JOAN Peck and her friend, June, demonstrated flower arranging incorporating the use of candles. Joan afterwards judged our 'flower from the garden' competition, which was won by Betty Wolsey with an unusual flower shrub. Tea and biscuits followed. Names

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Barnt Green Garden Society

MEMBERS were treated to a talk and slide-show at the March meeting by Peter Preece who is an excellent photographer and whose subject, 'Wildlife Photography' kept us riveted to the screen from start to finish. The wildlife shown was mainly indigenous

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Catshill WI

GUEST for the meeting was Brian Eland of the Acorns Childrens Hospice who was presented with a cheque for £55. He told members it was particularly welcome due to a fall in their funds. He said the public had given generously to requests for money to help

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Bromsgrove Railway Club

FOR the April meeting the club will welcome a new speaker, Les Henshaw from Derby, with a cine-film presentation entitled 'Railways in the Steam Age'. Cine film presentations are always interesting with a lot of old footage available and Les has an excellent

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For anyone apiring to a high life

LUCKY Jo Slade had that thrilling 'on top of the world' feeling when she dared to climb the 200 feet to the weather cock on the spire on Bromsgrove's St John's parish church, the town's loftiest building.HIGH PRESSURE: Jo (right)gets a bird's eye view

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Kinzie was pop finalist

A TALENTED Bromsgrove pupil hit the high note by clinching a place in the finals of a top county music contest.TOP OF THE POPS: Kinzie Watts in action. Kinzie Watts, from Catshill Middle School, in Meadow Road, got through to the finals of Pop Icons 2006

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DVD - The Constant Gardener (15)

IF a film ever deserved an award, The Constant Gardener is it. Quite often, movies that have been hyped as much as this are be something of a let down, but Fernando Meirelles' sinister and moving tale of drugs companies' work in Africa, really hits the

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DVD - Revolver (15)

AS confusing and convoluted as this Guy Ritchie film is, it doesn't take away from the fact that this was actually a darn good watch. Jake Green (Jason Statham) gets out of prison after a seven-year stretch of solitary confinement for a crime he didn't

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Homes crisis as list tops 2,000

NEW homes are urgently needed across Bromsgrove for 2,000 families waiting for properties. The waiting-list figures from Bromsgrove District Housing Trust (BDHT) has prompted its chief executive to urge the county's top decision-makers to work together

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DVD - Howl's Moving Castle (U)

AN enchanting, magical story, Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki's latest work is beautifully told and animated in this stunning production. Set in a dystopian world where war is raging and life is hard, a young girl finds life working in her sister's hat

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Future of health services

A PUBLIC consultation period over moves to merge the Primary Care Trusts in Worcestershire, including Bromsgrove and Droitwich, comes to an end today. This follows last year's announcement by the Strategic Health Authority about proposals which could

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Theatre - A Good Old Variety Show, All & Sundry, The Artrix, Bromsgrove

FOR an evening's entertainment, a variety show is not something that immediately springs to mind. But All & Sundry have probably gained a few converts to this music hall-style show, pulling it off in style as usual. The Good Old Variety Show comprised

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Double dates!

CARING youngsters at a Bromsgrove nursery have been busy making special treats for their mums for Mother's Day this Sunday (March 26). Children at Perryfields Day Nursery, in The Flats, Sidemoor, have designed their own cards with some cutting out objects

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Mum's fear over drugs menace

A SPA mother has expressed serious concerns about the town's continuing drug problems after moving to the area only a few months ago. The homeowner moved on to the Westlands estate just before Christmas and said she was shocked by the presence of both

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Bogus caller targets resident's good nature

POLICE are warning residents in Droitwich Spa after a bogus caller targeted a woman victim in the town. Police are urging members of the community - especially elderly residents - to be wary about letting callers into their home who they do not know.

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Dan's charity marathon

SIDEMOOR resident Don Harvey cycled more than 300 miles to raise £1,079 for the County Air Ambulance. He set out from the Wildmoor Oak pub, in Wildmoor Lane, and rode for 32 hours over three days to reach Hayle in Cornwall.PEDAL POWER: Wildmoor Oak landlady

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Work begins on town makeover

WORK is set to start this week to give shops in Droitwich Spa's High Street a facelift. Improvements will take place at 14 units in the High Street and will be funded by traders and landlords themselves with a match-funding grant from the Droitwich Spa

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'Greedy' blast in mayor protest

A Labour town councillor has called for the mayor-making process to be brought into the open, claiming that the Conservative group is being greedy and selfish about the role. He said that leading Tories in Droitwich will be holding a secret meeting this

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It's a fair swap as Heather books Kiwi trip

Droitwich Spa sixth-former Heather Verdant has been selected to take part in an exchange programme to New Zealand.KIWI ADVENTURE: Droitwich spa sixth form pupil Heather Verdant is going to New Zealand in an exchange programme. Seventeen-year-old Heather

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Heavy mob lift garden stonework

A SPA couple was left angry and saddened to find thieves had struck during the night to take garden decorations. Christine Rouse and Christopher Chatwin woke to discover that around 20 rounded concrete edging stones had been taken from the garden of their

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Joy for needle-jab girl, 5, in HIV scare

A DROITWICH Spa family has described their joy after their five-year-old daughter was finally given the HIV and Hepatitis all-clear - seven months after she was pricked by a drug user's needle. Martin Griffin, of Thatcher's Court, Westlands, Droitwich

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Reds hit by Poppies

Kettering Town 4, Redditch United 0 The loss of star man Mark Creighton proved costly as United's five-match unbeaten run came to an abrupt finish. Kettering offered little to suggest they were worthy of such an emphatic scoreline but made the game safe

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Craig's plight sparks appeal

THE race is on to raise the £10,000 needed to buy Winyates West man Craig Evans a new electric wheelchair. The Redditch Advertiser is launching an appeal for the severely disabled 26 year old after we were flooded with calls from kind-hearted readers

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Campaign has led to re-think

I WOULD like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have supported the Save the Alex Campaign so far. We have made a difference that has resulted in the saving of accident and emergency trauma services at the Alexandra Hospital. However, paediatrics

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Bypass plan on the right track

CONTROVERSIAL plans for a Bordesley bypass were given the green light by the county council's planning committee yesterday. Members agreed unanimously to give the go-ahead to the £10.7 million project, set to serve the long-awaited Abbey Stadium development

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They're living dolls!

LIVE mannequins captivated shoppers at a Redditch department store. About 30 performing arts students from NEW College became living dolls in the shop windows of Debenhams last week. The students, based at the Bromsgrove Artrix, simultaneously changed

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Parents join call for road safety

THE parents of an Alvechurch teenager who suffered severe brain injuries in an accident are backing community efforts to improve road safety. Glenn and Andrea Perrygrove, whose son Andrew was involved in an accident 15 months ago, have joined calls to

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Judo joy at mat cash

FIGHTING fit members of a thriving Redditch judo club have thanked town organisations for helping them buy much-needed new equipment. MF1306001 Forge Judo Club is delighted with its new training mat, which was bought with donations totalling £4,000. The

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Cut the spin, not services

LABOUR spin, a little like bird flu but much more pervasive and aggressive, travels the world making people feel confused and often abused. Now there have been sightings in my home town of Redditch as a spinning Jacqui Smith MP and her cohort of councillors

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Thoughts from Italy

TOM Wareing is, of course, right - I should get out more. (Letters, March 15). I was saying the same thing to some people here in Italy tonight and I can imagine me saying the same when I am in New York the week after next and in Paris a couple of weeks

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Accepted at last

SIR - I feel accepted at last. I see that Tory city councillor Barry Mackenzie-Williams has a beard - though not quite as rough as mine (page 13, Worcester News, March 11). GEORGE COWLEY, Worcester

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Recipe for divine food

MANY years ago, while a pupil at Redditch County High School, I used to attend school dinners. Two meals I remember particularly: one, a winter salad of shredded cabbage, grated carrot, sliced beetroot and grated cheese with boiled potatoes and a mustardy

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Fridge gag gives me cold comfort

SIR - I was looking at the damaged Worcester river bridge parapet for the umpteenth time thinking just how lethargic people can be when they are paid by the week and not by results. Then a story popped into my mind that was going around when the communists

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Be proud to fly our flag

AS April 23 is St George's Day and in view of the amount of coverage that is given to St Patrick's Day et al, I wondered what Reditch Council has planned for the day. The flying of the flag of St George on that day would be a good start. While I realise

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Culprit got off but my brother paid

SIR - Do I not recall that when the mighty Blair came to power, he said he would be tough on criminals and help the plight of victims? Perhaps he could explain to me why my brother was the recent victim of a crime and it cost him £100. He had his garage

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Quest for home's records

IN the 1920s, my wife's twin uncles were sent to St Joseph's Home in Sambourne, near Alcester. This followed the remarriage of her grandmother to a man much younger than herself who seems to have done all he could to rid himself of the children from the

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Patients' group shuns shake-up

A PATIENT group has added its weight to calls to reject a possible merger of Redditch & Bromsgrove Primary Care Trust (PCT) with others in the area. Redditch & Bromsgrove Patient & Public Involvement in Health (PPI) Forum has voiced concerns

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Books take the cake!

YOUNGSTERS at a town hall nursery brought their favourite books to life and had a tea party to celebrate World Book Day. Children at Bright Eyes Montessori Day Nursery dressed as their favourite characters from books to mark the event, which is the biggest

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25 Years Ago March 20, 1981

FOR the first time in it's history, Bromsgrove held the pomp and ceremony of a 550-strong Girls Brigade annual march. Girls from the Bromsgrove division were included in the Hereford and Worcester division of the brigade. Vice Chairman of the council,

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50 Years Ago March 24, 1956

MEMBERS of Rubery WI were given a demonstration on rug making from Mrs Hooper. With the members in a circle around her, she spread the floor with beautiful rings and then showed the incredible speed with which she could do a row of stitches. Great interest

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A kindness that gives us all hope

IT'S not difficult to despair of human nature. Just a cursory glance at the late-night television news can so easily administer the emotional coup de grace to days overburdened with depressing developments. At times, the world can be a hostile environment

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Bromsgrove Rovers fixtures and results 2005/2006

HOME, away (Southern League Division One West fixtures unless stated) JULY Wed 13 KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS (friendly) 2-4 (Blakemore, Hadland). Sat 16 HEDNESFORD TOWN 0-3 (friendly). Tue 19 MOOR GREEN 0-1 (friendly). Sat 23 BRISTOL ROVERS 3-4 (friendly)

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A novel look at life on the coast

A PROLIFIC Webheath author has just penned her fourth book in time for her 90th birthday. Lily Norris Tucker, of Heathfield Road, was so inspired by her time spent living on the south coast she felt compelled to write about it in A Fiddle for 18 pence

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Everywoman's Circle

AT the first meeting in February, a warm welcome was given to Helen Kimberly and Terry Bill, representing Headless Cross Girls and Boys Brigades. The modern Girls Brigade was formed in 1965 and is a Christian international charity working alongside girls

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New cancer drug set to be offered

REDDITCH patients in the early stages of breast cancer are to be offered the new drug herceptin. Up until now the unlicensed drug has only been offered to women in exceptional cases but the criteria has been relaxed following positive feedback from patients

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Girls are cream of country

THE under-12s netball team from Bromsgrove School showed they are one of top sides in the country by finishing runners-up at the IAPS National Championships.NETTING SUCCESS: Bromsgrove School's under-12s netball team were runners-up at the IAP National

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Young face health fears

YOUNG people in Redditch and Bromsgrove are not taking adequate care of themselves, a damning new report claims. Director of Public Health Dr Caron Grainger delivered her report on the welfare of residents in the two towns at a meeting of the Redditch

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Inner Wheel Club of Alcester

PRESIDENT Sheila Girvan welcomed members to the monthly meeting and asked them to observe a minute's silence in memory of Pat Ison, a founder member, and Rotarian Malcolm Haigh, husband of club secretary Norma, who both died recently. After business,

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Red hot Blaze singe Pacers and hold off Milton Keynes

BROMSGROVE Blaze savoured a satisfying weekend as it enjoyed double victories in the county and national leagues. The A team playing in the Worcestershire under-18s League got the ball rolling by thrashing Pacer Pros 146-21. They then completed a good

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Music makers to form band

TALENTED young musicians are being invited to join a new band focusing on hip-hop and reggae. The Descendants of Windrush (DOW) are looking for singers, drummers and guitarists to perform in weekly practice sessions at the Oasis studio in Redditch. Sessions

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St Mary's Wives' Club

AT the last meeting, Martin le Paige gave an insight into life on the Channel Island of Hearn during the Nazi occupation. He recalled how his family survived on minimum rations and how they used the island's resources to help their diet. The next meeting

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Scramble at BSA auction

BUSINESSMEN put in their top bids for assets of a defunct Redditch factory. More than 100 buyers flocked to BSA Castings in Lakeside to take advantage of the range of machinery and equipment that went under the hammer and there were 74 further bidders

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Dozens brave the weather

GOLF: Nearly one hundred competitors braved cold weather to compete in Bromsgrove Golf Club's Spring Scramble event over the weekend. The tournament, the club's first major of the 2006 season, attracted 96 competitors, despite windy and freezing temperatures

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Studley Daytime WI

MEMBERS at the meeting on March 1 were given a talk by June Carmichael on her hobby of spinning and felting. She told how she was able to obtain fleeces and how she prepared them to spin. Members were able to watch her spinning and to handle some of the

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Council's bright idea

REDDITCH Council is installing new street lighting in Matchborough East. The scheme includes the removal of asbestos from the properties, which have bridge bedrooms. The asbestos is being replaced with non-asbestos boards. Council works manager Ian Shanks

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The Redditch Society

THE talk on February 10, entitled India, Pushkar and the Taj Mahal, was given by John Wilson, a professional photographer. It was illustrated by a wide variety of slides. Some of these were of historic buildings going back to the Mogul era of the 16th

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Plea for baby clothes

REDDITCH parents looking to spring-clean their homes of outgrown baby clothes and toys can donate them to a worthwhile cause. The Redditch branch of the National Childbirth Trust needs quality clothes, toys and children's books to sell at its nearly new

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Campaign's next step

MEMBERS of education subsidies campaign group F40 are hoping to meet headteachers, county councillors and county council officers to discuss funding in Worcestershire. Plans to change the funding situation were discussed at a recent F40 conference in

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Wythall Allotments Association

THE 30-year celebration of the association was held at Wythall House on Friday, March 4, with a skittle night and fish and chip supper. This was arranged and run by Sue and Dave Pearce. A quiz also took place involving questions on flowers and vegetables

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Scheme sets sail

EXCITING opportunities exist for Redditch people wanting to make a splash in youngsters' lives. Youth Afloat, based at Arrow Valley Countryside Centre, is looking for volunteers of all ages to help with a range of activities. Responsibilities will include

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Wythall WI

THE March meeting was members' night and Bernice Peach was president for the evening. Arrangements were made for members to be hostesses at the group meeting, and volunteers were asked to make cakes and help prepare the hall. There was a competition to

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It's forest funtime!

GREEN-fingered youngsters at Tardebigge First School have been getting closer to nature with their new Forest School. An area of the school's playing field has been set aside, and children have planned and planted their own forest area where they will

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Learning through the soles of his feet

A TEACHER from Ipsley had the chance to visit an Indian village he has actually been teaching about for nearly a decade. Jeff Thomas, 62, has just returned from a trip to Chembakolli to experience what life is like for villagers there. The Berrington

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Neville is back in the swing!

A RETIRED Alvechurch businessman who contracted prostate cancer and underwent revolutionary keyhole surgery was back on the golf course just six weeks later. Neville Jinks, 66, of Icknield Street, is fighting fit after receiving the pioneering treatment

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Sri Lanka venture

A BIG-hearted Redditch couple will be building houses and friendships in a Sri Lankan village devastated by the tsunami. Ann Chandler and Colin Hornsby, of Hither Green Lane, are appealing for help in raising the £3,000 needed to take part in the house

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X-Factor night

TALENTED members of a Redditch arts group hope they have enough X-Factor to survive the recent council cutbacks. Indigo Arts Music Maker is holding an X-Factor-theme fundraising talent night at Rocklands Social Club in Headless Cross on Saturday. Musicians

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Halt called to paths work

CONTROVERSIAL plans to build new cycle paths in Alcester have been given the thumbs down by residents. Proposals to build the connection route from Kinwarton Farm Road to Captains Hill to gain access to another cycle route have gone back to the drawing

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Leave ambulance trust alone, says Maples

LOCAL MP John Maples has responded to the consultation on proposals to merge the region's ambulance services. Mr Maples said the Warwickshire Ambulance Service was efficient and provided an excellent service in the county and should be allowed to continue

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P3 gets busy at The Pleck

ENTHUSIASTIC Bidford residents have started clearing footpaths to make them more accessible. Members of the Parish's Path Partnership (P3) chopped down the overhanging trees and debris at The Pleck footpath - and plan to tackle more in the coming months

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Diary of Events

Friday, March 24 ST Luke's Hall, Headless Cross, will be the venue for an illustrated talk on The Last Forbidden Himalayan Kingdom of Mustang by Tony Caldwell to members of Redditch Welsh Society. The talk will be held at the Evesham Road hall from 7.30pm

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Throwing light on town revamp

A LOCAL businessman will soon be lighting up Alcester with his unique lanterns. Malcolm Cox was commissioned to make two solid copper Victorian streetlights by Warwickshire County Council as part of the work now being carried out to improve the town.

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Dynamic duo take up capital challenge

A FATHER and daughter team have been inspired to run the London Marathon in memory of the wife and stepmother they lost to breast cancer. Student Bethany Dagger, 20, and her dad Bob, 54, of Station Road, Alcester, have joined forces to run together to

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22/3/06 - Tigers nip in to sign Hickie

WORCESTER Warriors hooker Gavin Hickie admitted the opportunity to join Leicester was "too good to turn down" after signing a two-year contract with the Welford Road club. The Irishman will move across the Midlands in the summer but admits it will be

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Coach ushers in new era at Boars

HEAD coach Iain Hall has started his revolution at Bromsgrove RFC by drafting in a fitness expert to get the first team players in super-fit shape. The headman at the Finstall Park club has also hinted that there will be sweeping changes to the coaching

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Girl shaken by theft bid

A TEENAGE girl was left shaken following an attempted robbery in Smallwood on Monday night. The 17 year old girl was walking down Summer Street at 9.05pm when an Asian man approached her. He asked her for money and then her mobile but when she refused

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Laughter is springboard to a tonic

Review - Present Laughter at the Festival Theatre, Malvern (until Saturday) TAKE a bow Simon Callow (Gary Essendine). In fact - take several bows because they are so well deserved. He is, and this is, an absolute delight - just the right tonic to welcome

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I'M SEEING SPIRALS AT NEW SHOW

A DIVERSE group of six artists has brought a new exhibition to Worcester. Salamagundi is a group that met while studying art and have now brought their latest work called Spirals to the Worcester Arts Workshop, in Sansome Street. The exhibition runs until

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Ex-boxer's club plan

REDDITCH'S future boxing stars are being short-changed. That's the message from former fighter Lee Prudden who is keen to raise the profile of the sport in the town. Prudden was one of a number of rising stars to come out of Redditch Amateur Boxing Club

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Lodge Park reach mark

THE Van Den Eynde Clubman League first round was fished at Manor Farm Leisure (Windmill Pool) on Saturday. Strong cold winds made fishing difficult but Paul Knight (Ombersley AC) caught 25lbs 9ozs of carp to win. M Marshall (Bridge AC) came in second

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50 years ago - March 23,1956

REDDITCH councillors are still uncertain about the date of the demolition of property in Unicorn Hill and Hill Street, Redditch, and are not yet prepared to take action which will turn the remaining tenants out of the property. At Monday's meeting of

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100 years ago - March 24, 1906

REDDITCH gained another brace of points on Saturday as a result of the visit of Foleshill, Great Heath. There was a high attendance of spectators but those who expected to see a keen fight were rather disappointed. True, the game in the first half was

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Bees take foot off gas

DESPITE their manager's warning against letting an anti-climactic season 'peter out' Studley slipped to a poor 3-0 defeat at Romulus on Saturday. Bees manager Kevin Rowlands picked the right weekend to be unavailable, leaving assistant manager Trevor

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Liar! Liar!

STUDLEY'S own New Century Theatre Company is set to entertain with its production of Billy Liar. The group will present the 1960s hit comedy on Friday at Studley Village Hall, echoing previous successes of Pygmalion and Hobson's Choice. The play, set

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Time to prioritise

FECKENHAM manager Lee Adams says the Midland Combination fixture list will force him to prioritise his side's Challenge Cup semi-final second leg by resting a trio of regulars for next Wednesday's league trip to Coventry Copsewood (ko 7.45pm). The rearranged

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Russian ballet back by popular demand

BACK by popular demand, the Russian State Ballet of Siberia returns to Malvern Theatres with its performances of Romeo and Juliet and The Nutcracker. The Festival Theatre will host the visiting ice stars for both performances, starting on Monday and running

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Packed line-up at Artrix

THE Artrix is the place to be this week with an exciting array of entertainment lined up. The Bromsgrove venue will host The Feinstein Ensemble on Friday as part of the Bromsgrove Concerts programme. The group of eight specialist performers will play

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Cross hit in late show

Headless Cross Ladies 1, Stratford 2 Headless Cross Ladies played host to second-placed Stratford in a re-arranged fixture with Cross looking to get a result following their 4-0 beating a fortnight ago. Cross started in confident form and Vicky Gardiner

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School's joy

Worcestershire champions St Bede's RC Middle School blitzed Shropshire representatives Rhyn Park, of Oswestry, 5-0 at home on Friday to book a semi-final berth in the Coca Cola Midlands Schools Cup, part of the Coca Cola English Schools Cup tournament

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18/03/06 - A bittersweet taste for Boars

Redditch men's 1st XI 2 Bromsgrove men's 1st XI 4 BROMSGROVE experienced a bittersweet weekend as they defeated derby rivals Redditch but missed out on promotion in the Coaching Solutions West Midlands Division One. While the Boars maintained their excellent

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Tigers nip in to sign Hickie

WORCESTER Warriors hooker Gavin Hickie admitted the opportunity to join Leicester was "too good to turn down" after signing a two-year contract with the Welford Road club. The Irishman will move across the Midlands in the summer but admits it will be

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Try dance uncovered!

WARRIORS try-scoring sensation Aisea Havili has revealed the secret behind his distinctive try celebration. But, contrary to popular belief, it has nothing to do with the kick immortalised in the Karate Kid films in the 1980s. Read more in today's Worcester

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Women's cup final

HEREFORD'S Pegasus Ladies will take on Kidderminster Harriers in the Worcestershire & Herefordshire FAs Sunday Women's Cup. The game will be played at Malvern Town's Langland Stadium ground tomorrow night (7.30pm). Burlish Olympic You-th take on Inkberrow

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James in a great return to old roots

FORMER Worcester Tri Club athlete James Gillfillan eased to victory in their duathlon at Peopleton. Now representing Primera Bournemouth, Gillfillan beat a strong field in the event which comprised a four-mile and two-mile run with an 18-mile bike ride

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Shrub Bargains

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Spa Decorators

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Razors

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Take a bite out of the Biscuit Boys

BIRMINGHAM jazz and blues legends King Pleasure and the Biscuit Boys perform at Huntingdon Hall on Friday, March 24. Tickets for the show cost £13.50 and can be bought by calling the box office on 01905 611427. It starts at 8pm.

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Abba show will get you dancing

DO you get the urge to jump on the dance floor when you hear Super Trooper? Then Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre has the show for you! Voulez Vous - The Abba Story will be on for one night only at the Birmingham Theatre on Sunday, March 26. Now in it's

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Quartet to shine

aTHE Allegri Quartet and Ross Daly will bring some class to Mothers' Day when they perform at the Artrix as part of Bromsgrove Concerts' winter season on Sunday, March 26. This well known foursome will play the first string quartets of Shostakovich and

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The Health and Safety Practice Limited

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Advanced Heating Services

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Laughter is springboard to a tonic

Review - Present Laughter at the Festival Theatre, Malvern (until Saturday) TAKE a bow Simon Callow (Gary Essendine). In fact - take several bows because they are so well deserved. He is, and this is, an absolute delight - just the right tonic to welcome

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Where to go

Wednesday, March 22 THEATRE: Promises and Lies, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Centenary Square, Birmingham (until April 14). THEATRE: Smaller, Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham. THEATRE: Showstopper, Swan Theatre, Worcester. Thursday, March 23 MAGIC: Geoffrey

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Liar! Liar!

STUDLEY'S own New Century Theatre Company is set to entertain with its production of Billy Liar. The group will present the 1960s hit comedy on Friday at Studley Village Hall, echoing previous successes of Pygmalion and Hobson's Choice. The play, set

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Packed line-up at Artrix

THE Artrix is the place to be this week with an exciting array of entertainment lined up. The Bromsgrove venue will host The Feinstein Ensemble on Friday as part of the Bromsgrove Concerts programme. The group of eight specialist performers will play

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Strings sensation

IN the latest of its programme of concerts, Redditch Music Society presents Morgan Szymanski on guitar on Saturday, April 1. The nimble-fingered guitarist will entertain with music from Spain and Latin America at the Ecumenical Centre in Evesham Walk,

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Edward set to tug on heart strings

GOTHIC fairytale Edward Scissorshands makes a smooth transition from silver to screen to stage at the Birmingham Hippodrome all week. This adaption of film director Tim Burton's classic modern cinematic fairytale has been transformed into a ballet by

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Theatre - A Good Old Variety Show, All & Sundry, The Artrix, Bromsgrove

FOR an evening's entertainment, a variety show is not something that immediately springs to mind. But All & Sundry have probably gained a few converts to this music hall-style show, pulling it off in style as usual. The Good Old Variety Show comprised

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Always a warm welcome at this place

EVEN a basic component failure on a modern heating boiler can leave you in the cold and facing a bill for hundreds of pounds. That is why father and son duo Malcolm Lee Cox and Malcolm Cox are worth snuggling up to if you want to keep warm and safe. Malcolm

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Latest in technology

A YEAR after moving to new premises in St Andrew's Street, M-Viron is continuing to build positive relationships with many other businesses in and around Droitwich, providing the latest in mobile communications technology as well as excellent standards

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Cosy salon

A BEAUTY treatment should leave you feeling totally relaxed as well as looking gorgeous - and Le Spa in Droitwich promises to offer its clients a friendly and comfortable environment in which to receive a range of therapies. The Victoria Square salon

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Stage study

WHEN the summer term begins there will be over 560 Stagecoach schools throughout the UK; an impressive growth record considering that 18 years ago there were just three in Surrey. The fact that Britain's largest part-time theatre school is now established

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Joint force

FASCIA Fascia is happy to announce that it has joined forces with local company Vision Windows, enabling the two firms to provide double the amount of expertise and experience. As well as the uPVC fascias, soffits and guttering offered by Fascia Fascia

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Endowment Support Liimited

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CORBYN

CORBYN Maureen A great big kiss and lots of huge hugs especially for our Grannie! Happy 60th birthday. With all our love from John, Stephanie, Molly, Elliot, George and Saffron. xxxxxx Published in paper 22/03/2006

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METCALF

METCALF Dorothy nee Lipscomb Former Deputy Head Mistress at Cherry Orchard Primary School, Worcester. Passed away peacefully on March 19th 2006, after a long illness, aged 72 years. Dearly beloved mother of Christine and Brian and devoted grandmother

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CLEMENTS REA

CLEMENTS Christine Passed away on The Primrose Unit, on March 21st, aged 59 years. She will be sadly missed by all her Family and Friends. Funeral service at St Johns Church, Bromsgrove on Monday, March 27th, at 10.30 a.m., followed by interment at North

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PALMER

PALMER Frank Remembering you today and always. Love Bett, Nick, Mandy, Simon and Chris. xxx Published in paper 22/03/2006

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SKIDMORE

SKIDMORE Jack The Angel sang "Amazing Grace", The Lord came down and touched your face. He held your hand and whispered low, "Come with me Jack, it's time to go". Look after him Lord, as he takes his rest, For he was my dad, and was

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Premier Sodablasting

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The Royal Oak

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Trio to hit the right keys

THE Kungsbacka Piano Trio are playing for Droitwich Concert Club at Droitwich Methodist Church on Saturday, March 25 (7.30pm start). The trio will play works by Mozart and Schumann. Tickets are available from the secretary on 01905 775246, or at the door

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Choral music

BARNT Green Choral Society will be performing Austrian composer Mozart's most famous works to celebrate the 250th anniversary of his birth on Saturday, March 25. The concert is being held at the Artrix, School Drive, from 7.30pm. Tickets cost £8.50 (£4

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Bromsgrove and Redditch Roofing Services

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Great choice for home projects

CUSTOMER service is the key theme at The Granite and Marble Company, which offers a vast range of high quality marble and granite to suit any home or budget. Founded 18 months ago, the company employs experienced fabricators to ensure that customers get

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Controversial film flicks V sign at Western powers

Review: V for Vendetta PRODUCERS the Watchowski brothers' comic book thriller V for Vendetta is bound to court controversy when it explodes into the screens. Based on legendary comic book scribe Alan Moore's seminal piece, it is a politically charged

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What's On Guide

Wednesday, March 22 Edward Scissorhands, Hippodrome, Hurst Street, Birmingham. Until March 25. Tickets on 0870 730 1234 or www.birminghamhippodrome.com Promises and Lies, Repertory Theatre, Broad Street, Birmingham. Until April 15. Tickets on 0121 236

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Russian ballet back by popular demand

BACK by popular demand, the Russian State Ballet of Siberia returns to Malvern Theatres with its performances of Romeo and Juliet and The Nutcracker. The Festival Theatre will host the visiting ice stars for both performances, starting on Monday and running

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Birmingham band premier show at theatre

A POWERFUL new musical using the tunes of Birmingham reggae heroes UB40 starts at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre this week. Promises and Lies is the uplifting story of people battling against the odds to survive on the fringes of a big city. The international

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Lies come back to haunt Billy

THE 1960's classic play Billy Liar comes to the stage for one night at the Norbury Theatre on Saturday, March 25. Billy Liar charts the life of a charming young dreamer who lives in his own fantasy word to escape from his dull life working at an undertaker

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Tour de force

STUDENTS from NEW College explore the themes of war, peace, violence and oppression when they perform the Caucasian Chalk Circle at the Artrix on March 29 and 30. Based on Bertolt Brecht's powerful parable about the affects of war the play charts innocence

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Band raising cash for nursery

LOCAL band Reflections are holding a charity fund raising concert for a pre-school group near Droitwich on Friday, March 31.ON THE MICROPOHNE: Kids from Hadzor and Oddingley Pre-School make some noise with Reflections drummer Andrew Ford. The band, made

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DVD - The Constant Gardener (15)

IF a film ever deserved an award, The Constant Gardener is it. Quite often, movies that have been hyped as much as this are be something of a let down, but Fernando Meirelles' sinister and moving tale of drugs companies' work in Africa, really hits the

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DVD - Revolver (15)

AS confusing and convoluted as this Guy Ritchie film is, it doesn't take away from the fact that this was actually a darn good watch. Jake Green (Jason Statham) gets out of prison after a seven-year stretch of solitary confinement for a crime he didn't

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DVD - Howl's Moving Castle (U)

AN enchanting, magical story, Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki's latest work is beautifully told and animated in this stunning production. Set in a dystopian world where war is raging and life is hard, a young girl finds life working in her sister's hat

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Theatre - The Marriage of Figaro, Welsh National Opera, Birmingham Hippodrome

ONE of the world's best-known opera companies celebrating its 60th anniversary with a trio of productions is something that should at least be tried. And indeed, it was well worth it. With Marriage of Figaro as one of its shows, Welsh National Opera helped

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Where they're still at the cutting edge

TO maintain a successful company over a period of 130 years is an unbelievable achievement; to retain the same family ownership in a competitive and sometimes aggressive market makes this achievement even more remarkable. Frank Hedges and Sons Limited

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Leisure facilities for all to enjoy

THE Dolphin Centre in Bromsgrove offers a vast range of leisure and sports activities for both adults and children, all under one roof in a convenient town centre location. Countless children have been taught the essential life skill of swimming in the

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It's the height of luxury travel

FOR the past seven years, Independent Chauffeur Services has been providing luxury private transport not only in the UK and Europe but also the wider world - the Droitwich-based company's aim is to deliver a 'best in class' service, whether the client

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Clooney and Crowe go for luxury on the road

MERCEDES-Benz Kings Norton has taken delivery of the brand new S-Class - widely acknowledged to be the most advanced car on the road. Birmingham's Independent Chauffeur Services will be amongst the first to take delivery after founder, Peter Priest, ordered

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Great advice

TRAIN4SECURITY Limited delivers nationwide courses and workshops tailored to raising the standards of corporate and individual performance. Combining practical experience with industry knowledge, the firm offers companies reliable, high-quality training

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Tamanna

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We've got a stimulating haven for children here

WARNDON Junior School has been complimented for its "outstanding levels of care". Inspectors called the school, which is likely to merge with its infant school counterpart in September, as a "safe and stimulating haven" for children. Some of the teaching

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Taunton rock Rovers

Bromsgrove Rovers 1 Taunton Town 2 Southern League Division One West By Peter McKinney A CLANGER by goalkeeper Lee Evans and a moment of magic made sure that Rovers' woes at the Victoria Ground continued on a bitterly cold Saturday afternoon. There has

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Take a bite out of the Biscuit Boys

BIRMINGHAM jazz and blues legends King Pleasure and the Biscuit Boys perform at Huntingdon Hall on Friday, March 24. Tickets for the show cost £13.50 and can be bought by calling the box office on 01905 611427. It starts at 8pm.

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Abba show will get you dancing

DO you get the urge to jump on the dance floor when you hear Super Trooper? Then Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre has the show for you! Voulez Vous - The Abba Story will be on for one night only at the Birmingham Theatre on Sunday, March 26. Now in it's

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Quartet to shine

aTHE Allegri Quartet and Ross Daly will bring some class to Mothers' Day when they perform at the Artrix as part of Bromsgrove Concerts' winter season on Sunday, March 26. This well known foursome will play the first string quartets of Shostakovich and

Date

Trio to hit the right keys

THE Kungsbacka Piano Trio are playing for Droitwich Concert Club at Droitwich Methodist Church on Saturday, March 25 (7.30pm start). The trio will play works by Mozart and Schumann. Tickets are available from the secretary on 01905 775246, or at the door

Date

Choral music

BARNT Green Choral Society will be performing Austrian composer Mozart's most famous works to celebrate the 250th anniversary of his birth on Saturday, March 25. The concert is being held at the Artrix, School Drive, from 7.30pm. Tickets cost £8.50 (£4

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18/03/06 - Taunton rock Rovers

Bromsgrove Rovers 1 Taunton Town 2 Southern League Division One West By Peter McKinney A CLANGER by goalkeeper Lee Evans and a moment of magic made sure that Rovers' woes at the Victoria Ground continued on a bitterly cold Saturday afternoon. There has

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Malvern Town FC - Fixtures/Results - 2005/6 Season

FIXTURES Harvey World Travel Midland Football Alliance Saturday, March 25, Oadby Town v Malvern Town (3.00). West Midlands League Division One Saturday, March 25, Malvern Town Reserves v Ellesmere Rangers(2.45). Saturday, April 8, Malvern Town Reserves

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Terror in raid at hotel

THIEVES wearing black balaclavas tried to run over a Redditch hotel employee after breaking into Campanile Hotel and making off with a cigarette vending machine. They threw a boulder taken from the hotel grounds in Far Moor Lane through a conference room

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Handbag snatch

A WOMAN in her fifties had her bag snatched as she pushed her bike along Bromsgrove Road on Monday at about 4.40pm. The woman became aware of two teenage boys walking slowly behind her. She then felt a jolt on her bike and realised one of them had taken

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Church vandalised

VANDALS scrawled graffiti on tables, drank communion wine and smashed candles in St Mary's Church, Alvechurch. Wythall police are appealing for information following the incident, which happened sometime between 8pm on Tuesday, March 12 and 8.30am on

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Controversial film flicks V sign at Western powers

Review: V for Vendetta PRODUCERS the Watchowski brothers' comic book thriller V for Vendetta is bound to court controversy when it explodes into the screens. Based on legendary comic book scribe Alan Moore's seminal piece, it is a politically charged

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Games delight

STUDLEY sharpshooter Stevan Walton is among England's medal winners at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. The former Bromsgrove College student bagged a bronze in Sunday's men's double trap pairs alongside partner Richard Faulds. Walton, a former European

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Stourport dismissed

Redditch Ladies 4, Stourport Seconds 2 Redditch Hockey Club stayed hot on the heels of leaders Worcester. Sharon Fish went close after a good cross on the right from Claire Steadman and Emma Preston broke the deadlock after 20 minutes with an excellent

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What's On Guide

Wednesday, March 22 Edward Scissorhands, Hippodrome, Hurst Street, Birmingham. Until March 25. Tickets on 0870 730 1234 or www.birminghamhippodrome.com Promises and Lies, Repertory Theatre, Broad Street, Birmingham. Until April 15. Tickets on 0121 236

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25 years ago - March 20, 1981

FIREMEN answering an automatic alarm in Redditch's Kingfisher Centre had a shock when they arrived - there was actually some smoke. For the past year, gremlins in the fire alarm system at the shopping centre have meant regular false alarms - but no real

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Where to go

Wednesday, March 22 THEATRE: Promises and Lies, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Centenary Square, Birmingham (until April 14). THEATRE: Smaller, Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham. THEATRE: Showstopper, Swan Theatre, Worcester. Thursday, March 23 MAGIC: Geoffrey

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Bromsgrove RFC First XV fixtures 2005/2006

HOME, away (Midlands One fixtures unless stated) SEPTEMBER Sat 03 Whitchurch (Powergen National Trophy, Midlands round one) 3-51 Sat 10 BURTON 14-41 Sat 17 Luctonians (Powergen National Trophy, Midlands round two). Sat Dudley Kingswinford 48-12 OCTOBER

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VC batter sorry Hinton

Hinton Ladies 0, Redditch VC Women 5 JENNA Dedicoat was again the hero on Sunday as she scored four of the five goals in a comfortable victory at Hinton Ladies to reach the forty-goal mark. VC started brightly without scoring, Natalie Lawrence playing

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Studley Ladies breeze to victory

Studley 3, Knowle 0 Studley entertained Knowle knowing three points were crucial for their relegation battle and started brightly, rewarded for their pressure when a right-wing cross from Sarah Edney eluded everyone in the box and Rosy Hughes was on hand

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Trio's county success

THREE junior players from Bromsgrove Hockey Club have been part of the successful Worcestershire under-15s side that stormed to the Midlands finals. Charlie Cole, Alice Taylor and Tricky Burton all played their part, as Worcestershire won all their matches

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18/03/06 - Droitwich suffer a heavy loss to Sikhs

DROITWICH men's team was on the wrong end of an 11-goal defeat as they were beaten 9-2 by Sikh Union in the Coaching Solutions West Midlands Premier Division on Saturday. Beleaguered Spa was unable to match high-flying Union. Spa, currently bottom of

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Strings sensation

IN the latest of its programme of concerts, Redditch Music Society presents Morgan Szymanski on guitar on Saturday, April 1. The nimble-fingered guitarist will entertain with music from Spain and Latin America at the Ecumenical Centre in Evesham Walk,

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Neighbours may help Liam strike gold

FOR most people the trip to Ramsey Street takes place during a sneaky lunchtime break, or maybe just before the evening news, but Worcestershire's Liam Killeen has been taking it virtually every day since he arrived in Melbourne for the Commonwealth Games

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Play-offs odds are stacked against us

THE ANDY PREECE COLUMN FOR us to be even talking about making the play-offs is impressive after the start we made to the season -- but I still think it will be very difficult to achieve now. It is tough for us to make the play-offs because of the start

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Swifts in double signing

Roy Rencher has delved into the transfer market to sign two new attacking players in an attempt to ease Stourport Swifts' goal-scoring woes. Meanwhile, Stourport Swifts go to Solihull Borough tonight (7.45) hoping to move away from the Southern League

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BUSHELL

BUSHELL Donald George Passed away on March 17th, 2006, aged 72 years. Beloved partner of Jean, much loved father of Alan, Margaret, Steven, Stuart, Neil and the late Phillip, grandfather to eleven, great grandad to five, stepfather to Tina and Family.

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TAYLOR

TAYLOR Burns Passed away March 10th, 2006, aged 58 years. Former employee of Midland Red, Worcester. Much loved husband, father and grandfather. Funeral service will take place on March 24th, at 3.30 p.m, followed by cremation at Coney Hill, Crematorium

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HEMMING

HEMMING Albert Harry Dorothy, the sister of the late Bert would like to thank Relatives, Friends and Neighbours for cards, letters, messages of sympathy and donations for St Richard's Hospice received in her sad loss. Special thanks to Judy for all her

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Dig out your walking boots and head to the hills for St Richard's

HUNDREDS of walkers of all ages are expected to dig out their walking boots and join the 22nd annual Malvern Hills Walk for St Richard's Hospice in May. Last year, more than 600 people took part in the family fun day, raising a record £27,500 towards

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Captaincy is handed to Froggatt

EXPERIENCED batsmen Simon Froggatt has been given the challenge of leading Barnt Green's Birmingham and District League Premier Division title defence this season. Froggatt has been a key player for the Cherry Hill Walk side for the last five years and

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Radford crosses boundaries to join Bears

GIFTED all rounder Luke Radford has been put on the fast track to success after being selected to join Warwickshire County Cricket Club's youth academy. The Bromsgrove School pupil, who is the son of Worcestershire and England international Neal Radford

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It was the theft and drugs that got to me

A RUNAWAY soldier is refusing to return to the Army after alleging a culture of drug abuse, fighting and theft. Pte Darren Pollock is with his parents in Green Lane, Rainbow Hill, Worcester. Pte Pollock said: "I'm staying here at the moment doing a bit

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Toni can hear teacher again, thanks to donor

A PARTIALLY-deaf school girl will be able to hear her teacher again after a mystery donor paid for her stolen hearing equipment to be replaced. Some of Toni Ward's equip-ment was stolen from Har-vington C of E First School, near Evesham, last month. The

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You could be that special employee

WE all know that special someone at work... the person who picks you up when things are not all that great and generally inspires and motivates you. The Chamber of Com-merce Employee of the Year Award, in conjunction with the Worcester News, aims to recognise

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You can get your hands on a Morgan far quicker

ONE of Malvern's best known symbols - Morgan Cars - has set out to quash the "urban myth" there is a seven year wait for one of its classic sportsters. The company has a unique product in the automotive industry, offering a range of hand-built British

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County bus drivers are sticking to speed limits

BUS drivers in Worcestershire are among the most conscientious in the Midlands according to new findings. A check on speed camera fines issued in the Midlands found that the county, along with the rest of West Mercia, had the lowest number of coach drivers

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It is springtime, although there's little sign it's sprung

Spring has far from sprung this year. In fact, it seems to be making heavy weather of lifting the winter gloom. This time last year, we were enjoying a balmy 19 degrees C while, over the next day or two, the biting winds and freezing temperatures will

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Do you have 'specs' appeal?

MEN and women with 'specs' appeal are being sought for a special competition which is being held in Worcester, Evesham, Stourport and Kidderminster. National spectacle chain Specsavers opticians has launched its nationwide Spectacle Wearer of the Year

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Win a super hot tub for your mum

IT'S the last chance for sons and daughters throughout Worcester to nominate their mums for our competition. Stories about mums in a million have been dropping through the Worcester News letterbox since we launched our Mum In A Million competition. Proud

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21/03/06 - Coach ushers in new era at Boars

HEAD coach Iain Hall has started his revolution at Bromsgrove RFC by drafting in a fitness expert to get the first team players in super-fit shape. The headman at the Finstall Park club has also hinted that there will be sweeping changes to the coaching

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Spa conquer all comers

DROITWICH RFC under-8s beat all comers to win St Mary's Boys tournament in Bristol on Saturday. The team won five matches and beat Clifton 20-15 to lift the trophy. Droitwich started the tournament by beating Winscombe under-8s 10-5, with tries for Ieuan

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Crane seals Irish win

FORMER South Bromsgrove High School pupil Jordan Crane grabbed the final try as England under-21s beat Ireland 40-5 at Worcester Warriors and sealed a grand slam in the Six Nations. Crane took advantage of a quickly taken tap penalty to crash his way

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Sauce makers tap in to export agency's expertise

WORCESTERSHIRE firm Essential Dressings is reaching new markets with help from UK Trade & Investment. The company, based in Welland Road, Upton-upon- Severn, makes high quality dressings, drizzles, dips, sauces, coulis and jellies for independent

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22/3/06 - Ex-Harrier dies at 81

FORMER Kidderminster Harriers goalkeeper Dennis Crowther has died at Worcestershire Royal Hospital aged 81. Crowther, who was born in Stourport in 1924, joined Harriers just after the Second World War and went on to make 299 first team appearances during

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You've turned town into dump

Having walked around Bromsgrove town centre on Saturday, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the present council and sitting MP on turning Bromsgrove from a desirable place to live to a town that is bordering on a DUMP! The roads are

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Protest leaders say 'thank-you'

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have supported the Save the Alex campaign. We have made a difference that has resulted in the saving of A&E trauma services. However paediatrics, maternity and gynaecology services are still

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Lacking wisdom

REGARDING the council's suggestion that street vendors are needed in Bromsgrove to enhance its character as a market town, many older people remember Bromsgrove as a much-loved and busy town. I cannot remember vendors, only on fair day. We have enough

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Saving what?

THE article about alternative recycling in the Advertiser last week mentioned 'substantial savings' if Bromsgrove Council were to drop its collection of garden waste. Those of us in the Austin Road flats, Charford, do not have green wheelie or even black

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Good show

THROUGH 'Your View', I would like to send my congratulations to the students and members of staff at North Bromsgrove High School for a splendid performance of the show Guys and Dolls. Thank you all for a very pleasant evening. D C Walton, Stourbridge

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Drinking alert

Your readers may well have seen recent reports highlighting the issue of young people misusing alcohol. I would like to let everyone in Worcestershire know about our new national awards scheme, which recognises the vital work being done to prevent alcohol

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War of words

A WAR of words has erupted between local rivals Redditch and Woodrush over the North Midlands One (South) derby match which was postponed last week because of a waterlogged Bromsgrove Road pitch. Responding to criticism from Woodrush coach Matt Elwell

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Duo ready for debuts

TWO new siginings could make their debuts for title-chasing Fairfield Villa in Saturday's game at Polesworth North Warwick in the Midland Combination Division One (2.45pm kick off). Striker Colin Tandy and midfielder Mark Clements are set to bolster in-form

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A stroll in the...

Alcester 28, Manor Park 10 Alcester recorded a second win in a fortnight over the visitors from Nuneaton after the league's hierarchy ordered last week's match replayed because of injuries in Manor Park's front row that left the final twenty five minutes

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Kings do job in style

Bromsgrove 5, Kings Norton 41 Kings Norton coach Ian Jackson was able to examine his squad at closer quarters when he found himself called upon to sub for the seconds. And the coach found himself on the scoresheet in a Merit League encounter. He was drafted

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Falcons stay ahead at top

COFTON Falcons maintained their slender lead at the top of the Advertiser/Messenger League Division One by holding nearest challengers Victoria Barnt Green 1-1 on Sunday. Cook scored for Falcons but Perry scored for second placed Victoria. British Oak

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Where were those voters?

In reply to John Stanley's questions about my last letter, here are answers and some posers for him. The parish poll was for a supermarket of any brand in Kidderminster Road, so why does he name Tesco? As 85 per cent of actual voters in the parish poll

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Drugs horror

AS a parent of a child who attends Westlands First School and also having moved to Droitwich just before Christmas from Charford, Bromsgrove, I thought we had moved away from all the bad drug dealers and users. But I was so wrong, judging by what we have

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Great Dame

I should like to let your readers know about my backing for an excellent initiative which is re-engaging young people with school through sport. As the new National School Sport Champion, I am supporting the Youth Sport Trust, Sky and the Department for

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Boys' reunion

I WOULD be grateful if you could announce details of the Holly Lodge and James Watt Schools' Old Boys' Association Dinner at The Clarendon Suite, Stirling Road, Birmingham on Friday, May 12. The association was formed from ex-pupils of two schools which

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Bromsgrove Rovers Football Club - Match Stats - 2005/2006

GOALSCORERS 10 - Hadland, Banner, Dyer. 9 - Davis. 6 - Barnes-Homer, Moore. 5 - Danks. 4 - Porter. 3 - Curtis, Szewczyk. 2 - Smith, Ramsay, Johnson, Maguire, Reynolds, Williams. 1 - Collins, Mitchell, Geohaghan, Willetts, Hurren, Benbow. ADVERTISER/MESSENGER

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What a State!

What have we become? Why do we stand for so much grief? As if an illegal war in a far-off, third-world country were not enough, as UK citizens we are forced to endure on a daily basis one scandal after another, from ever-increasing taxes to the great

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Tow-path joy

Well done to the Droitwich Canals Trust team which has rebuilt the tow-path just below Salwarpe bridge. I now can't wait to see the narrow-boats tied up alongside! Country Jogger, Droitwich Spa.

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11/03/06 - Summerfield bags a treble

Burton 36 Bromsgrove 25 Midlands Division One KENT Summerfield bagged a hat trick as Bromsgrove refused to go down without a fight at strugglers Burton in the Midlands Division One on Saturday. Summerfield produced a determined attacking display as Bromsgrove

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Edward set to tug on heart strings

GOTHIC fairytale Edward Scissorshands makes a smooth transition from silver to screen to stage at the Birmingham Hippodrome all week. This adaption of film director Tim Burton's classic modern cinematic fairytale has been transformed into a ballet by

Date

Lies come back to haunt Billy

THE 1960's classic play Billy Liar comes to the stage for one night at the Norbury Theatre on Saturday, March 25. Billy Liar charts the life of a charming young dreamer who lives in his own fantasy word to escape from his dull life working at an undertaker

Date

Tour de force

STUDENTS from NEW College explore the themes of war, peace, violence and oppression when they perform the Caucasian Chalk Circle at the Artrix on March 29 and 30. Based on Bertolt Brecht's powerful parable about the affects of war the play charts innocence

Date

22/3/06 - Play-offs odds are stacked against us

FOR us to be even talking about making the play-offs is impressive after the start we made to the season -- but I still think it will be very difficult to achieve now. It is tough for us to make the play-offs because of the start we made, not because

Date

Band raising cash for nursery

LOCAL band Reflections are holding a charity fund raising concert for a pre-school group near Droitwich on Friday, March 31.ON THE MICROPOHNE: Kids from Hadzor and Oddingley Pre-School make some noise with Reflections drummer Andrew Ford. The band, made

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Chaddesley Corbett WI

SIMON Cleaver was the guest speaker at the March meeting on the subject of the restoration of the back-to-back houses in Birmingham. A partnership between Birmingham Conservation Trust and the National Trust enabled the work to be completed in 2004. Four

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Dispute ends in courtroom

A BLACKWELL couple have been found guilty of assault, after a long running neighbourly dispute boiled over in a social club. Redditch magistrates heard this week that Stephen and Rachael Rees, of Badger Way, Blackwell, and neighbours John and Toni Carrington

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When life has lost its lustre...

Special Report By Sarah Mawhinney LARGER-than-life character Steve Allen was just 55 when he was found dead in the River Severn. He suffered from depression. His sister-in-law Jan Adkins-Allen, who lives in Acocks Green, Birmingham, said she wished she

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Centre springs to it with bumper pansy festival

ONE of the biggest displays of flowers ever seen in the Midlands is expected to draw the crowds from across the country.Claire Darby of Webbs' garden centre, Wychbold, prepares for the pansy festival. Webbs' of Wychbold garden centre, near Droitwich Spa

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'Salt boy' couple case goes to Appeal Court

THE case of a couple who claim they were wrongly convicted of killing the three-year-old boy they planned to adopt is being heard in London's Criminal Appeal Court. Ian and Angela Gay, formerly from Bromsgrove, but now of Halesowen, were each jailed for

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Prison praise

HEWELL Grange open prison near Bromsgrove continues to move forward, according to the watchdog appointed by the Government to monitor conditions in jails. The Independent Monitoring Board says that during a year of reorganisation, following the amalgamation

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Cox Seb gets boat race 'nod'

AN Upton Warren student whose father and grandfather both worked as doctors in Bromsgrove has received a late call-up to cox the Oxford University crew in the 152nd Boat Race next month. Worcester Rowing Club member Seb Pearce, whose mother Judith represents

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Theatre - The Marriage of Figaro, Welsh National Opera, Birmingham Hippodrome

ONE of the world's best-known opera companies celebrating its 60th anniversary with a trio of productions is something that should at least be tried. And indeed, it was well worth it. With Marriage of Figaro as one of its shows, Welsh National Opera helped

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Take care of keys!

DRIVERS in Bromsgrove and surrounding districts are being warned by police after reports of car key burglaries in the area. Police say offenders have used fishing rods, bamboo canes or similar items to hook keys through letterboxes or open windows, particularly

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Call us - say police

A CONCERNED police officer has urged Stoke residents to report anti-social behaviour in the parish. At a meeting of Stoke Parish Council beat manager PC Louise Munslow said she was worried she was not receiving calls about incidents. She said: "I could

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Centre springs to it with bumper pansy festival

ONE of the biggest displays of flowers ever seen in the Midlands is expected to draw the crowds from across the country.Claire Darby of Webbs' garden centre, Wychbold, prepares for the pansy festival. Webbs' of Wychbold garden centre, near Droitwich Spa

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Accident is the fear

WORRIED motorists fear one of Bromsgrove's busiest roundabouts is an accident blackspot waiting to happen. Worcestershire County Council completed a £100,000 project in June, in a bid to prevent accidents at the Slideslow island. But motorists have contacted

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Smokers facing ban at hospital

BROMSGROVE'S Princess of Wales Community Hospital and clinics are to become smoking-free zones. Redditch and Bromsgrove Primary Care Trust (PCT) is taking steps to organise a smoke-free environment in hospitals, clinics and NHS offices it owns or manages