BROMSGROVE Rovers boss George Rooney is closing in on several more new signings. Rooney, whose side entertain Second Division Walsall in a friendly tonight (7.45), has made a seven-day approach for defender Ian Cooksey, brother of former Rovers goalkeeper
A MUM-OF-TEN who wants to have a child for her daughter, is planning to go ahead with the pregnancy despite warnings from top doctors. Annette Edwards, of Birmingham Road, Brom-sgrove, has put her hopes in a top London clinic so she can make her daughter
REDDITCH town centre rota chemist is Carrington and Turner, Church Green West, open every day except Saturday and Sunday until 7pm. Foxlydiate Chemist, Batchley Road, Batchley is open on Sunday from 10-11am. Knights Chemist, Evesham Road, Crabbs Cross
AN hotel owner from Callow End is imposing rigorous checks on future bed & breakfast tenants after a previous guest committed an armed robbery at the local post office. Twenty-two-year-old Rickardo Khan shocked the village when he held-up the post
WYRE Forest GPs and MP David Lock have met health chiefs to thrash out concerns about the shake-up of medical services in the county. Mr Lock, who has been under pressure from local politicians, said he and the doctors present at yesterday's meeting were
BROMSGROVE sprinter Richard White is among 47 track and field athletes selected by the British Paralympic Association (BPA) for the Sydney Paralympic Games, which run from October 18 to 29. The Catshill teenager has just returned from Nottingham, where
BROMSGROVE rally pairing Nathan Crewe and Chris Clifford have increased their lead in the 1400CC class of the Heart of England Championships. The sixth round of the series, backed by Advanced Autosport Technologies, meant a return visit to the stages
BROMSGROVE and Redditch AC approached the third of four Midland Track and Field League fixtures in second place, but with some star athletes missing through injury and holiday. The team finished third in a close fought competition and are lying second
LAURIE Brooks's aims are to run faster, jump further and become a better goalkeeper. And only a fool would bet against her achieving all three -- and in double quick time. The 15-year-old is one of Bromsgrove's most prolific sporting performers. During
IF Bromsgrove First XI were to find themselves at either end of the table, fighting for promotion or battling against relegation, they will look back on Saturday's clash against struggling Penkridge and see exactly where it all went wrong. Although this
FAMILIES living near a convicted sex offender - who has been named and shamed by a national newspaper - have given their backing to the campaign. Kevin Milton, of Bourne Close, who is on probation after exposing himself to children this year, is featured
A DROITWICH Spa man has appeared in court charged with offences relating to alleged drug trafficking following a police raid which netted more than £250,000 worth of controlled substances. On Saturday, Kuldip Singh Kang, aged 36, of Harris Close, appeared
A RETIRED farmer who plunged 30 feet from a third floor window had a history of nervous breakdowns, a coroner's court heard. James Townsend died after being found badly injured outside his Rashwood Farm, Droitwich, home, having told his wife he was going
IT is with dismay I once again write in reply to refugee concerns. To my knowledge, Kosovan refugees are housed privately and do not receive the large amounts of assistance from the social services Mrs Davies suggests (Letters, July 19). Social services
IT comes as no surprise that Worcester City soccer officials have been told to go back to the drawing board and reconsider their hopes, dreams and plans for their new stadium. The club and the city were on a collision course from the moment a council
WE in Redditch should be considering the cost of the Worcester Royal Infirmary. A report by Prof Pollock of UC London highlights some facts. The rebuilding is financed by private initiative; the initial cost has doubled since 1996 (from £49 million);
AT this time of year, many people will be looking forward to jetting off on their summer holiday and for most this will be a package deal. Despite some horrendous stories recounted in the popular press and on television, only seven per cent of package
A BROMSGROVE hotel has won an accolade for quality and service and has become the first in the Midlands to be upgraded under new assessment standards. The Pine Lodge Hotel, in Kidderminster Road, now boasts four stars after gaining an extra one from the
A NEW fire station could be built in Redditch in order to reach set response time targets, a union spokesman claims. The news comes as part of a review of the county's complete fire service structure to comply with the Government's Best Value initiative
THE newly crowned Junior Miss Redditch is feeling on top of the world and looking forward to her time as the carnival princess. Young beauty Natasha Reid, 11, was thrilled to win the title and can't wait for her big day at Redditch Carnival on Saturday
PLANS to transfer surgical patients to the Alexandra Hospital over the August Bank Holiday weekend have been criticised. The moves are part of the merger of the Alexandra, Kidderminster Hospital and Worcester Royal Infirmary into the Worcestershire NHS
THE consultation period on the final phase of Redditch Council's Focus on the Future spending review was launched yesterday. Residents and council staff are being asked to give their views on a series of savings and cost-cutting exercises to generate
A GREENLANDS playwright has won the chance to have his name in lights and see a piece of his work professionally performed on stage. Andy Higgitt's play beat off competition from hundreds of aspiring playwrights to join two other writers as a winner in
AN amendment to the Local Government Bill will mean Redditch Council can draw up its own modernisation programme to best suit the needs of townsfolk. Under the current Bill, councils have three options to change the way decisions are made. But according
REDDITCH folk were able to delight in the aromatic scents of the continent last week when a foreign market came to town. Garlic, French wines, pastries and a variety of gourmet delicacies were snapped up by shoppers. Other senses were also adequately
PROPOSED improvements to footpaths and roads in and around Redditch have been highlighted in a £1.3 million scheme. The move comes as part of the Redditch Review and the county council's Safer Routes to School initiative. The county is asking for a £700,000
REDDITCH ambulance service has a new recruit in the form of Conservative prospective Parliamentary candidate Karen Lumley, who will spend a 12-hour shift on call. Ms Lumley is concerned about the low level of pay that paramedics receive compared to other
AFTER two years' hard work preparing for the village's millennium celebrations, the Cookhill Open Millennium Integral Celebration committee, or COMIC, is to continue its good work. The committee was set up solely for the purpose of preparing for the millennium
POLICE are to target villages to crack down on crime following a successful series of drug raids in Inkberrow. Seven officers with police drug dogs carried out three searches at different addresses in the village, which resulted in the discovery of cannabis
TOWNSFOLK rallied round on Saturday to support the appeal for the Diana, Princess of Wales Children's Hospital, Birmingham, where Alcester toddler Joshua Conway is being treated for a brain tumour. The "tramps parade" brought in an impressive £919 for
ALCESTER will be hosting the Royal British Legion County Parade this year and organisers are hoping for a massive show of support from the public. It's the first time the town has held the annual parade, which visits a different part of Warwickshire each
ANOTHER school in the Alcester area is to benefit from Government funding after securing a grant for a £426,000 extension. Temple Grafton Primary School has been offered the money under the Government's New Deals for Schools initiative. If the planning
THE Greig Centre is hosting a number of youth initiatives throughout the rest of the summer. Gym sessions for teenagers are being held every Tuesday and Thursday between 2.30-3.30pm at the cost of £1 per session. On Wednesday, August 9, fans of the Spice
A YOUNG Alcester woman is setting off for Africa next year to help the poor and needy of Ghana. Stephanie Blake, 18, of Ropewalk, is in the process of raising £3,000 for the expedition, which will see her camping within a community and helping to build
YOUNGSTERS ditched the world of high technology and went back to the roots of Japanese culture as part of a fun-filled holiday club. Origami -- the Jap-anese art of folding paper -- was one of the activities enjoyed at Droitwich Library, Victoria Square
MINDLESS vandals who throw things onto a town railway track are putting lives at risk, a councillor has claimed. Droitwich Spa town councillor John Cook (Lab, Droit.West) campaigned for nine years to improve safety at the Colford Walk crossing but says
THE Spa's very own 'Marathon Man' is pulling on his running shoes again after a break because of injury. Ashley Philbrick, of Hawthorne Walk, kicked of a rigorous training regime on Monday because he is hoping to take part in the Great North Run in October
DISAPPOINTED Droit-wich residents living near St Andrew's House Hotel have written to complain about Wychavon District Council's handling of a recent planning appeal - after a Government inspector granted permission to build. Controversial plans to extend
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers are continuing to gear up for their debut season in the Football League -- both on and off the field! As the countdown gets underway for their opening Nationwide League Division Three clash with Torquay United at Aggborough on Saturday
Worcester Rugby Club flanker Simon Daws was set to start for England against Russia this afternoon -- their opening game in the Students World Cup. Fellow Sixways squad member, Chris Simpson-Daniel was expected to start on the bench for the match in Rome
TWO garages in the same Droitwich Spa street were broken into overnight last Monday. Burglars struck in Rose Avenue between 4pm on Monday and 10.30am the next day. The lock of one garage door was chiselled off causing £15 worth of damage and the window
HEREFORD United put in an encouraging performance to draw 1-1 against a predominantly first-choice Oxford United side at Edgar Street last night. It was a vast improvement on Saturday's lacklustre showing against Aston Villa, and an 80th-minute equaliser
Punters can shout Far Cry home in the J P Morgan Goodwood Cup at the Sussex track tomorrow. Martin Pipe's tough stayer won the Foster's Lager Northumberland Plate and Doncaster Cup last year but has raced only once on the Flat this season after showing
REDDITCH slumped to their first league defeat of the season when they were thrashed by a buoyant Ombersley. Put into bat, Alan Houghton, 10, and Dan Protherough, 25, put on 24 for the first wicket and Protherough and Luke Wells, 48, added 52 for the second
Batting first, Redditch totalled 243-8 off their 50 overs. Luke Davis and Nick Fowkes both made 57, Dave Apperley 47 and Spencer Cox 30, with Gary Stevenson making 12 in support. Steve Merry and Matt James, 2-14, both bowled economically and with Wil
FECKENHAM lost the toss and were put into bat. Rain interruptions meant the batsmen struggled against a tight seam attack and the main batting contributions came from skipper Kevin Baylis with 24 and Nick Cockrell and Ed Sellwood with 22 apiece. With
FECKENHAM were put into bat on a pitch hit by a heavy downpour. Phil Teskey top-scored with 36 as the home team struggled to 99-6 from a reduced allocation of 40 overs. Lye's batsmen were soon in trouble on the difficult pitch and they were reduced to
CHRIS Newton (New End AC) returned to winning ways at Broad Acres on Monday evening with 29-12-0 of carp by pole fishing corn at peg 30. Paul Newell (Fosters Tipton) was a close second with 28-6-0, third Keith Deaner (Redditch) 23-14-0. With the school
A CONVENIENCE store in Droitwich Spa showed off its new look when it was officially launched by the town's mayor. The Stores, in The Holloway, has joined the Londis group which means it has gained a new frontage, as well as a bigger and better range of
FOOTBALL chiefs in Worcester have been told to go back to the drawing board after unveiling fresh plans for a 6,000-seat stadium. City councillors sided with the director of technical services, Stuart McNidder, who said the retail development to accompany
BROMSGROVE & Redditch Athletics Club racewalkers Sharon Tonks and Dave Henley were both selected to represent the Midlands in an inter-area full athletics match. The event at Solihull involved teams from the South, North and the RAF, as well as the
ALCESTER Bowls Club's Northfield League team entertained Warstock last week, wanting to get revenge from the previous away defeat. John Alderson got the squad off to a tremendous start with a career best 21-0 but Alcester's joys were quickly dashed when
ALL the best showbiz stories have an unexpected twist -- and this one's no exception. Stoke Prior dad Neil Kenny was flicking through The Stage magazine when he noticed an advert for the Gloucester Music Festival. Did his 15-year-old son Howard want to
IT'S not unusual to want a memorable Saturday night out. So if you're a fan of Welsh wonder Tom Jones, the place to be this weekend is Euphoria Nightclub in Bromsgrove. The Worcester Road venue is staging a TJ tribute show by Martin Goodyear. Martin has
A MAN was knocked unconscious and had his left arm broken when he was attacked by two youths near the Mount School. The incident happened in Birmingham Road, Bromsgrove, in the early hours of Saturday. The man, in his 30s and from the Norton area, was
A POLICEMAN accidently hanged himself from the banister at his home in an "experimentation that went wrong". Andrew Parker, a 27-year-old officer from Bromsgrove, was found attached to the banister by two leather belts, with his clothes on the floor at
I AM sorry that Lucy Holmes does not feel that the new Arcade is appropriate, so near to the Guildhall and other parts of old Worcester. Surely the modernity of the new construction does no great harm to the Guildhall and other old buildings, however?
BOB Peachey (You Say, July 19) refers to the Colin Buchanan Report. Look what he says on park-and-ride. "Park and Ride facilities are generally used by non-residents for trips into the city centre. The maximum transfer from car to bus that this is likely
WHAT is our country coming to? A headteacher was told she could face a prison sentence for slapping a pupil. The police force is undermanned and bogged down by paperwork and the NHS short-staffed. Tony Blair says he is keen on education but surely discipline
BRITAIN, Napoleon once famously said, is a nation of shopkeepers, obsessed by money and short term-gain but lacking the wider picture. The view has never been truer then today and never more applicable than over the issue of Europe. Why, when the issue
Evesham United 1, Bury 6 EVESHAM'S new striker Sam Bowen was sidelined by a back injury when the Robins put in a creditable performance against Nationwide division two side Bury at Common Road on Tuesday night. Bowen, who is a former Worcester City player
In her last talkback column, sports editor TERESA PHILLIPS reflects on some sporting highlights - and looks forward to the future. WELL, after 13 years, I'm packing up my Basil Brush photos and Coronation Street mouse mat and moving to pastures new. And
I AM absolutely disgusted. I was the founder member of Droitwich Stroke Club. We were the first club to move into the new Covercroft Day Centre on May 16 1986, using what was called the Community Room. Now we have been thrown out, together with the Fellowship
HOW lovely the tubs, baskets and gardens are looking in Droitwich at the moment. Our town gardener must have really worked hard. What with rain and windy weather, he has done well to keep everything growing. I meet lots of visitors to the town and the
DEAN Meyrick has signed for Alvechurch FC to rejoin manager Mick Preece, whom he previously played for at Bromsgrove. Dean was an Alvechurch player for many years but last year joined Studley BKL and scored more than 40 goals. Preece said: "I'm very pleased
I WOULD like to congratulate the Droitwich Spa Town Council's gardener, John Quinn, on the beautiful floral displays in the gardens fronting St Richard's House and also on the hanging baskets and tubs in and around the town. From the many compliments
IN the last game of the season, Redditch under-16 cricket team beat Five Ways to take their first league title. Redditch, chasing 96, maintained their unbeaten record in the last over to win by three wickets. In the previous match, Redditch U16s beat
GOODFELLAS remained top of the premier in the Leisure Leagues five-a-side league at St Augustine's Sports Centre this week after an easy 7-2 win over Dopeheads, who are still looking for their first points. However, Exel Recon are still in contention
Leamington Ladies 1 Redditch United Women's FC 5 THE women's side travelled to Leamington on Sunday to test the talents of their new squad against more seasoned opposition in a pre-season friendly. While Redditch were adjusting to the pitch and their
FORMER Wolverhampton Wanderers and Ipswich Town football player Derek Jefferson will be in Studley next week to coach children. Jefferson, who also coached at Birmingham City, now heads an organisation called Sports Pursuits, which is linked with Christians
FECKENHAM FC recently played two pre-season friendlies with mixed fortunes. Last Wednesday, they lost at home 1-3 against Fairfield Villa. The scorer for the Millers was Stuart Douglas. However, on Saturday, they won 4-0 against Kenilworth Wardens with
A SAFETY-MINDED resident claims moves to close two short-cuts in Bromsgrove could put people's lives at risk. Wilf Banner is urging residents to put pen to paper to stop Bromsgrove District Council sealing off Santridge Lane after Churchfields Road was
A TWO-DAY recruitment drive is being held in Bromsgrove in an attempt to combat a desperate shortage of supply teachers in the county. It is being organised by specialist Kings Heath-based agency Quality Teachers, at the Pine Lodge Hotel, Kidderminster
BOUNCING baby Brandon won the hearts of Bromsgrove Advertiser/Messenger readers who voted him bonniest tot of the Millennium. The Sidemoor youngster came top in the under nine months category to the delight of his parents, Martyn and Hayley Hinson. Five-month-old
A CONCERNED Bromsgrove councillor is urging more residents to have their say on a massive education shake-up in the town. Worcestershire county councillor Cllr Russ Clayton (Lab, Broms.North) said there had only been 37 responses to the review in a month
THE parents of a Bromsgrove girl denied a place at a town school say they are unhappy with the way education chiefs handled their case. Jon and Beth Harris wanted nine-year-old Amy to attend Aston Fields Middle School, in Drummond Road, where her brother
A SCHEME to create a conservation area to protect the character of a picturesque village has been welcomed by Bromsgrove planners. Bromsgrove District Council planning committee members received a report about the project in Barnt Green. The designated
AN interesting meeting and two evening outings completed the summer programme. Secretary Sandra Boreham presented a millennium video entitled "The Harbury Chronicles". Harbury is a small village near Leamington and the video depicted the village's monthly
GARAGE forecourt staff in Bromsgrove and Droitwich reported a slow start to a national campaign to boycott petrol stations yesterday. The Dump the Pump campaign is organised by Essex website designer Garry Russell to force petrol firms to cut prices.
Members of the WRVS day centre and lunch club in Redditch took their annual trip to Herefordshire recently. They paid a visit to their sister centre in Glenton Lodge to have lunch and enjoy a game of bingo and raffle.
August 4, 1900 A question of considerable importance to the residents of Studley was discussed at a meeting of the parish council on Monday evening. Mr G Hodges signed the declaration of office and took his seat on the council for the first time. The
Last month marked the 25th anniversary of the launch of the Redditch Advertiser. The first issue on July 10, 1975, was at the cutting edge of free newspaper publication in the UK. This new medium would soon swamp the country and see the decline of many
l Friday, September 8, 7.30pm: The Blues Brothers l Saturday, September 9, 1.30 and 4.30pm: Bananas in Pyjamas l Tuesday, September 12, 2pm: Music Hall Matinee. l Thursday, September 14, 7.30pm: The Imposters in the Ultimate 60s Show l Tuesday, September
THERE will be a distinct lack of boredom in Studley for a week this summer when a range of arts and sports activities are put on to keep youngsters entertained. From Monday, August 21, until Friday, August 25, Stratford Council's sports and arts workers
POLLUTION firm Briggs Environmental Services has won a "substantial" contract to stop the risk of spills for the UK's largest rail freight company. The Droitwich firm will run the three-year deal with English, Welsh and Scottish Railways (EWS) from its
FAMILIES are being urged to help track down an arsonist who struck in Droitwich Spa at the weekend. A wooden shed belonging to the Royal British Legion Club, in Salwarpe Road, was burned to the ground after someone set fire to a pile of newspapers. Only
A DUNKIRK veteran found floating face down in the River Severn had fallen in before, an inquest heard. George Watts was seen floating in the river 300 yards upstream of Bewdley Rowing Club. He had taken his dog Tilly out for a walk on Friday, July 21,
DROITWICH Dolphins appeared in the final of the 2000 Ross on Wye PGL Junior League held at Halesowen, competing with Stourbridge, Torfaen, Cheltenham, Gloucester and Ross-on-Wye. In a competitive gala, a number of individuals stood out. At ten and under
DROITWICH Spa First XI's miserable run of form in Worcestershire League Division One continued on Saturday with only a torrential downpour at St Peter's Fields saving them from certain defeat. Spa were put into bat by opponents Netherton on a seaming
HAVING lost last week due to a poor batting performance, Bromsgrove Second XI were all too aware of the need to keep the runs down when Feckenham won the toss and decided to bat, in their Worcestershire Sunday Club League encounter. A tight fielding display
IT WAS with great alarm and misgiving we read about the plans to axe or scale down play areas. Surely, in this day and age and with the tragedy of Sarah Payne still in our minds, small-scale play areas situated among houses where children live and where
GAVIN Smithers, in his rambling reply about Conservative plans for education, doesn't seem to understand his party's policy. His leader, William Hague, said that Conservatives would set schools free to decide their own admissions policy, exclusion policy
I WONDER if I may, through your Letters Page, ask whether anyone can explain to me the purpose of the annual summer festival of covering our roads with tons of loose gravel? Most of the time, the stretches of highway chosen seem merely in need of repair
I KNOW very little about particle accelerators, gamma radiation or changing nappies. If the town ever needs a spokesperson on these issues, there is no point in asking me. In my time at a councillor, I would not comment on issues I did not understand.
ON August 15, Wythall Post Office will close for good and the service will be transferred to Drakes Cross. On behalf of the residents of Wythall, I would like to express my thanks and appreciation to the village Postmaster, Paul Ankcorn, for his service
I think Gavin Smithers has a cheek to insist Richard Timney should write letters as Jacqui Smith's husband and not as the parent that he is. I have read letters of Gavin's condemning the euro currency. Gavin never declares that he is a banker, more specifically
PROPOSALS to slash ambulance night cover by half across Redditch have been stopped, it has been revealed. The news the town's ambulance station is to keep two vehicles full time comes after paramedics experienced their busiest week last week. Original
THE Royal British Legion will be holding a night of musical wartime nostalgia when it hosts Eric and the Two Js on Monday. People who remember Vera Lynn, Gracie Fields and George Formby, who entertained troops during the war, will be transported back
TWO brothers who brought terror to a group of four Kosovan refugees have both been given custodial sentences. Daniel Evans disapproved of the way the men were talking to women inside The Works pub in Redditch. He told them they were not welcome in the
A BATCHLEY shopkeeper has been left distraught after being wrongly accused of shoplifting. Susan Finch, of Hawthorn Road, described the ordeal as her worst nightmare and vowed she would never visit the Kingfisher Shopping Centre again. The 43 year old
SUPPORT staff at the Alexandra Hospital will still take strike action over plans to downgrade them unless an agreement can be reached during crisis talks on Monday. Unison has implemented an industrial dispute procedure at the hospital, meaning proposals
WORK on a major £100,000 project to refurbish the outpatient department at the Alexandra Hospital has begun. The revamp forms part of a £200,000 scheme to clean up the appearance of the hospital. And the Government announced on Monday it is to allocate
MORE than 40 nurses have been recruited at the Alexandra Hospital following the announcement it is to become a centre of excellence. And several nurses from Kidderminster Hospital have opted to transfer to the hospital in September. The news follows a
PLANS to make it compulsory for new taxi drivers to take an advanced driving course before gaining their licence have been backed by Redditch Councillors. If a driver fails, he or she would need to undergo further training instead of an outright rejection
By BECKY PROCTER THE daughter of an Oakenshaw pensioner says she is watching her elderly father slowly deteriorate at the Alexandra Hospital because there is no NHS funding for a nursing home. Edward Bishop, 84, who suffers from Alzheimer's disease, was
A display by American skating experts went ahead at Redditch Skate Park yesterday, despite the venue being closed yet again by the council. This is the second time the Matchborough park has been shut when youngsters have broken up for the school holidays
REDDITCH police have targeted the town centre to try to stop a predicted increase in violent crime during the summer months. The move to promote more pro-active policing comes after statistics showed a year-on-year rise in mainly alcohol-related incidents
IN this day and age, it's fair to say people don't often stop to think about the origin of the humble needle. But for one man, this uncomplicated tool has provided a lifelong career and now, in his retirement, the basis of three years of research into
THE new central Redditch first school has been named as Oak Hill First School. The name was chosen by pupil Aimee Murray, eight, from Arrowcrest First School, which is due to be merged with Ipsley First School as part of the Redditch Review. Aimee chose
A CHARITY appeal is to be launched to raise £600,000 and make life perfect for elderly townsfolk moving into a £4 million state-of-the-art housing project. Developed by Touchstone Housing Association in partnership with Worcestershire County Council and
PLANS to make a town green on the corner of Unicorn Hill and Bates Hill are to be amended following consultation with nearby businesses and the public. Members of the public and environmental services committee met last Wednesday to discuss the proposals
REDDITCH Council is comparing itself to other authorities after being praised on its Best Value performance by an audit watchdog. Auditors KPMG were impressed with the way the council delivered its services to ensure value for money and the best use of
Young cyclist Jessica Adams, 10, is gearing up for a sponsored bike ride around north Worcestershire. Jessica, a pupil at Walkwood Middle School, will be joining 1,000 other people on Sunday, September 10, to raise money for Leukaemia Research. When she
THE Conservative prospective Parliamentary candidate for Redditch has called it a "victory for common sense" after Tories voted down a bid by Labour and Liberal Democrats to abolish Section 28. Karen Lumley said the decision not to axe the law, which
CHILDREN in Redditch are getting creative thanks to a holiday activities program at Forge Mill Museum. Last week was Archaeology Week and children had the chance to design hands-on activities which will be permanently kept in the museum. They were taught
THIS Friday sees the Queen Mother reach the grand old age of 100. But just over 71 years ago, a lifetime in itself, the Queen Mother, or Duchess of York as she was then, was in Studley visiting the Horticultural College at Studley Castle. The picture
TWO Redditch girls are feeling like royalty this week after winning a competition organised by St Stephen's Church, to honour the Queen Mother's 100th birthday. Alma Aspindale and Charlotte Smith, who both attend Ridgeway Middle School, designed the front
RESIDENT living near Meadow View Care Home have raised fears about plans for an alternative access route to the new development. Warwickshire Care Services, which owns the home, met people living in Wharrage Road on Thursday to discuss the proposals.
ORGANISERS of the Depot Bus, which offers young people help and advice, have reported no problems following trouble last year. The bus has been to Alcester every Monday since June, allowing people aged 14-25 access to advice on issues such as bullying
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers are continuing to gear up for their debut season in the Football League -- both on and off the field! As the countdown gets underway for their opening Nationwide League Division Three clash with Torquay United at Aggborough on Saturday
TODAY sees the launch of our exciting new-look website. We have a new web address - www.thisisdroitwichspa.co.uk The site offers the same great local news and sports but with the added bonus of being updated DAILY and WEEKLY. As well as offering you all
AMBITIOUS plans to breathe life into the Spa's landlocked canals have been officially announced as part of a multi-million pound British Waterways rescue package. At its annual meeting in London last Wednesday, the waterways giants pledged to use some
ANGRY town MP Peter Luff has called for improvements to rural roads after a Spa resident complained. The Tory MP for Mid-Worcestershire said a Droitwich resident wrote to him because of potholes. Mr Luff said: "He finds they pose two threats. "If he goes
A CRACKDOWN on unauthorised posters has been called for by concerned councillors. At last week's Droitwich Spa Town Council planning committee meeting, members called for tougher action against firms attaching adverts to signs and lampposts. They are
LONG-SUFFERING Droitwich Spa residents are calling for overgrown trees to be cut back after years of neglect. Vines Lane householders are demanding action from Wychavon District Council before someone is hurt. Karen Bradley, who lives in Vines Lane, said
A COCKTAIL of drugs which went missing from a house in Droitwich Spa could be lethal in the wrong hands, police have warned. The anti-psychotic medication, anti-depressants and tranquillisers were reported missing after a call from a person in Nunnery
WORCESTER City's injured trio of Micky Cotter, Andy Ellis and Chris Greenman are almost certain to miss the start of the new season. Manager John Barton, whose side entertain Bristol City in a friendly tonight (7.45), says the three are unlikely to be
A LUCKY Droitwich Spa woman was back at work on the tills at the town's Safeway supermarket hours after rubbing shoulders with Hollywood superstar George Clooney. Susan Hughes, of Alexander Avenue, was invited to the star-studded Birmingham launch of
ANOTHER season for Worcestershire Saints has ended and once again it has ended with the side struggling for consistency both in form and team selection. On the plus side the moral 'victory' over Coventry Bears was perhaps the side's best performance of
Evesham United turned in a creditable performance before losing 6-1 to Nationwide Second Division side Bury at Common Road last night. New signings Steve Taylor and Mark Wolsey took the eye for the Robins, but in the end they were outplayed by a slick
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers are continuing to gear up for their debut season in the Football League -- both on and off the field! As the countdown gets underway for their opening Nationwide League Division Three clash with Torquay United at Aggborough on Saturday
THE sight of the official car hired to bring Bromsgrove District Council's chairman to Rubery has led to some incorrect assumptions by two of your correspondents. Unlike many less prudent authorities, Bromsgrove does not have an 'official car' and resorts
Studley 1sts beat Olton & WW 1sts by 54 runs OLTON won the toss on a wet wicket and asked Studley to bat. The batsmen struggled with only Stamenkovic, Smith, Gregory and Ward reaching double figures. A good rearguard action by Gregory, Ward and Freeman
ASTWOOD Bank lost the toss and were put in on a damp wicket. Runs came quickly for the Bank openers against some good seam bowling but after losing Clayton, Bank's top and middle orders struggled against good controlled bowling by Thompson. Robinson,
BIRMINGHAM Co-op were unable to stop Redditch's good form. Taking first innings, Co-op slumped to 91 all out, only Omar with 56 showing any defiance. Fiaz, 4-39 and Paul Lees, 4-7, broke the back of the innings and there was a wicket for Richard Stokes
FECKENHAM were put into bat and Simpson and Daniels put on 40. Simon Dunn batted well for his 40, with Hussain and Perry giving valuable support against the bowling of Rees, who took 6-64. Skipper Terry Bird scored a quick 18 as the Feckenham score reached
ALCESTER won the toss and elected to bat. Despite interruptions for rain, they made a rapid start, reaching 50 in the 12th over. Once again, all the top order scored heavily, with Paul Hedges 71, Richard Reader 25, Gerald Greenway 28 and John King 21.
ON a rain-affected wicket making batting difficult, a young Redditch team were well beaten. Batting first, Bretforton were made to work hard and were reduced to 73-9 but an unbroken last wicket stand of 92 enabled the home team to total 165-9 off their
BROMSGROVE were put into bat and their openers batted confidently to take the score past 50. Some excellent catches provided good support for the bowlers and a brake was put on the scoring as wickets fell and Bromsgrove were dismissed for 145. Feckenham
FECKENHAM batted first and soon found heavy overnight rain had got into the wicket, giving helpful lift to Bromsgrove's bowlers, who reduced the visitors to 42-6. Greg Griffiths batted well for 21 and Rob Simpson helped him take the score to 76. Steve
(2pm start unless otherwise stated) Saturday, August 5 WORCESTERSHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE DIVISION ONE Chaddesley Corbett 1sts v REDDITCH 1STS REDDITCH 2NDS v Chaddesley Corbett 2nds WEST MIDLANDS THIRD XI DIV 2 SOUTH Water Orton v REDDITCH 3RDS BIRMINGHAM
BROMSGROVE Rovers boss George Rooney is closing in on several more new signings. Rooney, whose side entertain Second Division Walsall in a friendly tonight (7.45), has made a seven-day approach for defender Ian Cooksey, brother of former Rovers goalkeeper
Thursday August 3 Cinema: Chicken Run (U), Warwick Arts Centre, University of Warwick, Coventry. Until August 6. Cinema: Magnolia (18), Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry. Drama: Hamlet, Festival Theatre, Grange Road, Malvern. Until August 12. Drama: Boeing-Boeing
NEWS of some forthcoming attractions to start this week. As in past years, Malcolm Hayes is again organising matches at Broadacres lakes for both ladies and disabled anglers. This year's events will be held on September 15 and 16 and are sure to be well
ALCESTER Tennis Club are holding summer holiday courses for children of all ages at a cost of £12.50 for a five-day course. The courses take place Monday to Friday during most of August and are open to members and non-members. Children aged between 6-
NORFOLK-based duo Stealer are the guests of the End of the Trail Country Music Club this Friday. A new name to the club, but with a wealth of experience on the country scene, you can catch them at Droitwich Royal British Legion, Salwarpe Road. The show
JAZZ fans are in for a treat at the Talbot Inn, Belbroughton, this Monday. The Tim Ward Jazz Quartet, featuring Pete Tantrum, will be appearing at the Hartle Lane venue from 8pm. Supplying the top tunes are experienced keyboard wizard Paul Buck, Pete
A HUNT has been launched for a hit-and-run driver following a collision with a teenage cyclist in Bromsgrove. The 15-year-old was riding in Yarnold Lane when a black VW Golf - which police said was on the cyclist's side of the road - was in collision
A PLUCKY ten-year-old boy from Barnt Green has been hailed as a hero after he jumped on his dad's jet-ski to save a family. PP:BA32MATT.JPEG: BRAVE ACT: Matthew dyson, who rescued a family from the sea Matthew Dyson, a pupil at Bromsgrove Lower School
CAN someone explain to me why anyone starts taking heroin in the first place? Are young people really so weak-willed - or is their life really so unbearable that they have to take a temporary escape? Thank God for people like Terri Preece, co-ordinator
D E MARGRETT (Evening News, July 20) thinks we should welcome immigration because of an ageing population and an infusion of new blood is needed. If so, this should be limited, open and above board. Not shrouded in secrecy, deceit and Big Brother tactics
I WRITE in support of Susan Coombs RGN (You Say, July 20). Incensed is too mild a word to describe my feelings about Councillor Colin Beardwood. Has he, I wonder, any elderly frail relative just waiting in their twilight years to end this misery? We seem
THE final race of Bromsgrove Olympique Cycling Club's ten mile club time trial series was held on Thursday, with veteran Alan Cox winning the series by the slender margin of three points from Mike Solloway, 73 to 70. Mike won all seven events he contested
Worcester Rugby Club flanker Simon Daws was set to start for England against Russia this afternoon -- their opening game in the Students World Cup. Fellow Sixways squad member, Chris Simpson-Daniel was expected to start on the bench for the match in Rome
WORCESTER City's injured trio of Micky Cotter, Andy Ellis and Chris Greenman are almost certain to miss the start of the new season. Manager John Barton, whose side entertain Bristol City in a friendly tonight (7.45), says the three are unlikely to be
I WOULD like to sound out the reaction of the residents of Sidemoor who have been affected by the recent closure of Churchfields Road. It is a very useful link for people to get to the town. Because of this closure, the only way in and out of the town
RE: Proposed community hall. I appreciate that, as one ages, memory begins to lapse. I know to my cost. Indeed, I do support the provision of community facilities as Cllr Pam Davey well knows. My memory tells me that I attended the first part of a meeting
WE are exhorted to save water and I do. Severn Trent Water is allowing gallons to run down the drain (two, in fact) in Orchard Croft, Barnt Green. There are 50 households in The Croft, and our water pressure is very low. The lavatory cistern takes a long
Redditch United 7 Stourbridge 0 STRIKER Paul Danks notched a hat-trick against his former club as the Reds stormed to victory at the Valley Stadium. But it could have been so different had the visitors not missed three golden chances in the opening 10
STUDLEY BKL open their season with three out of four games at home. On Saturday, August 19, they kick-off the season at home with a game against Continental Star (ko 2.45pm). Then an away game at Kings Heath on Wednesday, August 23, (ko 7.30pm) is followed
ALVECHURCH FC eased into their pre-season schedule on Saturday with a double-header against Birmingham AFA club Colinthians. The first team started tentatively, missing a number of key players including marksman Dean Meyrick, recently re-signed from Studley
HEADLESS Cross ladies FC held their first ever presentation night at Hewell Road Sports and Social Club last week. They had a successful first season, finishing third and just missing out on promotion. Highlights included a 1-0 victory over champions
MOATFIELD Middle School's Year 7 and 8 girls' football team let their feet do the talking in the final of the outdoor five-a-side district cup at St Peter's Middle School, Winyates. And it was a sweet victory for the talented group as they took revenge
THREE of Redditch United's junior teams are on the lookout for new goalkeepers ahead of the new season. The under-7s, 8s and 9s are searching for the next David Seaman and are offering specialist training to the new recruits. Players aged six-nine are
REDDITCH & South Warwickshire Combination football clubs will meet on Tuesday, August 8, at South Redditch Sports and Social Club, Greenlands. Premier division clubs will meet at 7pm, followed by a general meeting at 7.30pm.
A BROMSGROVE police officer died after an experiment went wrong and he was found hanging, an inquest heard. Andrew Parker, aged 27, of Waltham Close, was discovered by his wife, Susan, at their home with a belt around his neck hanging from the stair bannisters
A BROMSGROVE worker has completed a 3,500-mile mercy mission to help impoverished Romanian orphans. Severn Trent Water team leader Mike Taylor, based at the Sugarbrook depot, in Buntsford Hill Road, recently returned from Siret. Joined by five colleagues
TWO hospitals used by Bromsgrove residents are to get a share of a £3.5m grant to spruce themselves up. The cash award, announced on Monday, is the region's share of a £31m allocation to clean and redecorate NHS hospitals throughout England. The Princess
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a 15-year-old boy was knocked from his bike in a hit-and-run accident at Bournheath. The youngster had just passed the Nailer's Arms pub, and was travelling towards Dodford, along Yarnold Lane, when a black VW
POLICE have issued a warning to residents after fuel tanks were stolen from outside a Bromsgrove firm. The incident happened at TFW Dixon and Son Ltd, in Park Road, when a trailer, containing a hot air balloon, balloon basket, burner and fuel tanks was
A BREWERY giant wants to turn three empty shops in Bromsgrove's High Street into a pub restaurant. Whitbread Plc has applied to Bromsgrove District Council to make the changes to the shops, which have flats behind and above them, and are situated opposite
A 'MODEL' Rubery pensioner is showing off his talents this week during a special exhibition. Bob Edwards, of Rea Avenue, is displaying his handcrafted models of Worcestershire buildings, many of which are in Bromsgrove, at Rubery Library, in Library Way
ON a lovely warm summer evening George Shiers, former chief guide at Charlecote Park, took members on a tour of the house and its surroundings to illustrate his talk. He traced its history from the Saxons through to the Normans, then the Regency period
GENEROUS residents are needed to answer the prayers of campaigners raising funds to preserve a crumbling town landmark. The Rev John Cook, of All Saints' Church, in Birmingham Road, is calling on residents to dig deep this Saturday. He is hosting a gift
ON June 14 the annual meeting took place with the election of officers as follows: Enid Phillips, president; Doris Short, vice-president; Marian Buchanan, secretary; Joan Howarth, treasurer; Noreen Ratledge, social secretary; Betty Bullock, press officer
Women's Section. On March 4, the committee attended the Masonic Hall in Worcester. Olive McHugh, retiring chairman, received a crystal bowl from Redditch committee members on March 23 and secretary Marguerite held her coming of age party on July 3. On
A RETIRED Bromsgrove painter and decorator died after he was found lying beneath his son's porch where he had been working, an inquest heard. Douglas Rea, aged 71, of Durham Close, Sidemoor, was found by his daughter-in-law on the ground beneath the porch
MEMBERS visited Kew Gardens on July 16. A slight wind kept members cool enough to enjoy the 300 acres of lush green gardens and there were a wonderful variety of trees and plants. There will be an open flower and vegetable show on September 9 and anyone
AN outraged Lickey End resident has blasted a decision by councillors to scrap plans for a parish council which won the support of more than half of voters. Frank Howard, of Alcester Road, says he can't believe Bromsgrove District Council has refused
THE red light could be given to traffic problems in Lickey End. A number of proposed plans are on display today at Lickey End First School, in School Lane, telling residents about the scheme. A platform could be put at the junction of School Lane and
August 5, 1950 In order to preserve for future generations a pictorial history of Redditch and its neighbouring villages as they are now, the Redditch Urban and District Council is sponsoring a photographic survey of the district. The council will shortly
August 1, 1975 Distraught mothers on an Alvechurch estate have petitioned the area's authorities for the children's play area they thought they were going to have. "We were all under the impression that a kids' play area was supposed to be provided for
TWO Redditch swimmers will be representing Britain at the Sydney Olympics. Matchborough swimmer Jamie Salter, 23, qualified in three events at the national longcourse championships in Sheffield. He will compete in the 200m and 400m freestyle and the 4x200m
THOSE cold and windy autumn evenings can easily be put to rights with a trip to the Palace Theatre with a season entertainment to suit all tastes. The fun-packed run kicks off on September 8 with a good boogie, when the Blues Brothers are in town. Eddy
A TOWN centre pub keen to promote live music will be welcoming budding boy band Caf tomorrow evening as part of an ongoing programme of events. Yate's Wine Lodge, in Alcester Street, hosts live bands on the first Thursday of every month. Tomorrow's group
CHARLES Tandy was hauled before Bromsgrove Petty Sessions charged with being drunk in charge of a pony and trap in Stoke Heath. 100 years ago August 4, 1900 CHARLES Tandy was hauled before Bromsgrove Petty Sessions charged with being drunk in charge of
WORCESTERSHIRE'S small firms are being given the chance to shine in this year's Parcelforce Worldwide Small Business Awards. The prize money is to top £80,000 in the event, which features 11 regional heats. Ted Fuller, chairman of the national judging
MORE than 350 coffee drinkers poured through the doors of Marks & Spencer on the first day of its new caf opening. Store manager Adrian Lowe hailed Caf Revive's debut "outstanding". He claimed the success of the new 1,500 sq ft facility would filter
THE licensee of a Redditch pub was subjected to a terrifying ordeal when he was ordered to hand over the contents of his safe by a masked raider wielding a sawn-off shotgun. The incident happened at about 1.30am on Sunday at Brodies Wine Bar on Evesham
THE 10-year-old son of a Redditch businessman has been praised after risking his own life to save a family from drowning. Brave Matthew Dyson performed the dramatic sea rescue while on holiday in Pwellhi, north Wales. He leapt onto a jet-ski after seeing
