NEW Year's Eve revellers will be able to party past midnight in Worcester thanks to the efforts of local licensees. Venues across the city and surrounding district will be allowed to stay open until 1.30am, unlike many other places across the country,
SERIAL killer Rosemary West, who is convicted of murdering a Droitwich Spa teenager, has made a formal bid to clear her name. Fifteen-year-old Shirley Hubbard, of Ombersley Road, was one of nine victims found at 25 Cromwell Street, in Gloucester. West
TWO Worcester footballers ended up in Kidderminster General Hospital after violence erupted on the field in a cup match, a court has heard. The score was 0-0 when the second half started in the bad-tempered game between Wilden Steelers and Archdales 73
RETAIL crime has been slashed in a county town thanks to a radio network designed to crackdown on shoplifters. Droitwich's retail crime initiative has cut the number of offences from 143 in 1997-1998 to 69 in 1999-2000. Police have been working with traders
ST PETER'S Parish Council is to lobby bus chiefs to create a new route so teenagers from the estate cut down the amount of time they spend travelling to and from school. The council is concerned that pupils are spending up to two hours a day travelling
A FORMER Mayor and founder of the first housing association in Worcester, Stanley Marshall, has died in hospital, aged 87. The well-known public figure was born in Park Avenue and attended Worcester's Royal Grammar School, where he later became a governor
VIOLENCE erupted on the football field in a cup match at Stourport and two players from a visiting Worcester side ended up in Kidder-minster Hospital, a court heard. The score was 0-0 when the second half started in the bad-tempered game between Wilden
AN elderly Stourport woman was terrified when a teenager accosted her in an alleyway and snatched her purse, Worcester Crown Court was told. The 80-year-old woman had just visited the Post Office at Areley Kings but had only loose change in her purse,
MERLIN were in goalscoring mood on Sunday, hitting 12 past Droitwich Springmeadow without reply in Round One of the LMS Shield. Paul Harper led the way with four goals while Darren Hateley capped a man of the match performance with three. Lee Jones added
GARRINGTONS took the lead in the 25th minute when Kevin Banner broke the Mayfly offside trap, breaking through and beating Turk in the Mayfly goal. Garringtons second was almost identical to their first when Tilley played a great ball for Kevin Banner
FAIRFIELD progressed into the third round of the Terry Cup at the expense of Division One side Thorn -- but they made hard work of it. Luke Thomas's cross from the left eluded the Thorn keeper to give Fairfield the lead. Five minutes later Thorn equalised
AN electrifying performance by 13-year-old Marc Bonehill was the highlight of a boxing tournament at Sheldon, Birmingham. Marc faced the aggressive Asif Hussain (Pleck, Walsall), a boxer who had previously beaten him and who started the first round in
FATHER and son sharpshooters from Bromsgrove have been keeping it in the family after competing in a prestigious competition at their local gun club. Dad Bob Croxton, a member of Worcester Norton Shooting Club, recorded an average score during the 12
IN a fast moving end to end first half Bromsgrove took the lead when Kelly Evenson tucked the ball home in the D. They increased their lead when Helen Bagshaw sent a fierce shot from outside the D past the Stourport keeper. Soon after Sarah Gormley intercepted
BROMSGROVE U11s 15 Kidderminster U11s 5. A superb performance from a Bromsgrove team lacking several regular players. Playing up the slope in the first half against a strong Kidderminster squad, Bromsgrove showed great determination with some excellent
SKATEBOARDERS who have sparked angry complaints from pedestrians could soon have a new meeting place. Droitwich Spa Adventure Playground manager Dave Spicer believes the venue would be perfect for a skatepark. Residents have constantly moaned about youngsters
A BEREAVED Spa mum has endured the inquest of her second son to die in his early 20s. Margaret Lock, of Teesdale Close, went through the ordeal on Friday following the death of 24-year-old Robert who was killed when he choked on his own vomit in September
A COUNCILLOR who slammed proposals to house asylum seekers in Droitwich has welcomed news that refugees will not come to the district in the foreseeable future. Wychavon district councillor Andrew Christian-Brookes (Con, Lovett) last month said residents
WITH regard to the recent evacuation of Bowood Home during a hoax bomb scare, a jumble of thoughts remain. And, as many Redditch people will at some time have a relative in this old folk's home, perhaps we should all give consideration to many queries
WITH reference to Robin King's letter (Advertiser, October 18) over the saga of Terry's Field, who is this man? Is he totally ignorant or just naive, or maybe a wind-up merchant? I happened to be at the neighbourhood group meeting Mr King refers to and
I WAS amused to see the "indignation" evident in Councillor Saint's letter (Advertiser, October 18). Since regaining power in Stratford, the Tory machine has crashed about amid the council's finances like an African buffalo, confident it must attack something
THIS week, I had cause to visit the Kingfisher Centre for the purchase of a replacement copy of Lorraine Kelly's Bums & Tums Workout Video. I don't actually have a problem with either of those particular parts of my anatomy, but being a male of a
THERE has been some media coverage recently on the demand for a parish poll in Alvechurch wanting to decide the question of the euro. The parish council was of the opinion the demand was unlawful on the grounds parish polls should decide questions of
IN reply to Robin Lunn's letter (Advertiser, October 4) I agree that it's a shame library users have to walk either to Redditch Town Hall or through the Kingfisher Centre to find public toilets. Sadly, the library building was not designed with the standard
HAVING read our MP's column in your paper, I felt it couldn't go past without some comment about the health service. We have heard from one of the consultants at the Alexandra Hospital about cancellations of operations. My own son has had to wait six
THE Redditch Renaissance has begun! It's a time of change for Redditch - new developments, new investment, new image and the Kingfisher Centre poised to be lifted back into the premier league of the UK's shopping centres. The first dramatic transformation
A REDDITCH man who for years has channelled his energy into creating a superb facility for youngsters has been given countywide recognition for his tireless efforts. Steve Rooke, Redditch Wheel's Project co-ordinator, has worked tirelessly with Redditch
POLICE are investigating a vicious and bizarre assault which took place in a taxi parked at a rank in the town centre. The 19-year-old female victim got into the taxi parked in Queen Street at about 2.30am on Sunday, October 15, and was followed into
A MAJOR research project to assess the needs and aspirations of the African and Caribbean community in Redditch will be kicked off with an exhibition at the town hall. The event has been organised by the Black History Group as part of National Black History
A REDDITCH-based health watchdog which will be abolished in 2002 is campaigning to ensure the patient's voice will still be heard. The independent Redditch and Bromsgrove Community Health Council is to be replaced by the Patient Advocacy Liaison Service
IT'S all change at NEW College with a new logo and a new vice-principal. Tricia Burton, formerly of Telford College, is the newly appointed vice-principal of strategy and development at the college. Miss Burton said: "So many things are being planned
COMPLAINTS from the public about children playing with fireworks have spurred police to issue a warning to retailers selling them to people under 18. The message comes after police were called to Winyates Centre on Friday to deal with a gang of about
DRASTIC security measures are to be put in place at a Redditch church following a spate of break-ins over the last year. Christchurch Anglican Methodist Church in Matchborough has been targeted three times in the last 12 months and in each burglary, musical
TENS of thousands of pounds is being spent on rubbish resulting from damage and vandalism caused to litter bins across Redditch over the last five years. Redditch Council has had to foot a bill of £70,000 as litter bins and street furniture have been
A NEW era is dawning at a popular support centre in the town as women are given the chance to boost their confidence and gain new skills. All Women's House (AWH) in West Avenue, Smallwood, will be holding an open day on Tuesday to show any interested
TOWN centre residents who have been told they cannot park outside their homes during a temporary re-routing of buses are to appeal against the decision next month. Other Road residents have been asked to park in Trafford Park car park while work on the
REDDITCH businesses which have excelled at giving disabled shoppers a high standard of service received awards for their efforts at a presentation ceremony as part of the town's Shopmobility flag day. During the last year, 60 town centre shops and stalls
REDDITCH children and their parents will benefit to the tune of £10,000 over the next three years thanks to a nationwide initiative by Pearl. Funzone, based at Walkwood Middle School, will now be able to employ an additional play-worker to take care of
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers paid the price for failing to capitalise on a period of intense second half pressure by tumbling to a 2-0 Nationwide Division Three defeat against table-topping Chesterfield at Aggborough last night. The Spireites, unbeaten on their
LUSCIOUS locks and bushy beards were shaved off charitable Droitwich Spa workers as part of a fundraising drive to get adults with learning difficulties back into their community. Staff, carers and users of Kingfields Day Service Centre, in Ledwych Road
A DROITWICH Spa residential home will receive a Royal visit today to mark the completion of a new wing. Dorset House, in Blackfriars Avenue, is a home for the elderly, owned and managed by RSAS Age Care. The charity's patron, the Duchess of Gloucester
FORTNIGHTLY street markets may be held in the town if the idea is sold to traders and residents. Droitwich Spa Association for Retail, Tourism and Services (DARTS) wants fortnightly Saturday markets in High Street starting in the spring. This year, DARTS
OUR great new Droitwich Spa Memory Lane book has hit the bookshelves - and makes an ideal Christmas gift. The book, charting the town and its most famous sons and daughters, costs just £4.95. It was produced by the Advertiser's deputy editor, Christine
TICK-TOCK, don't forget to change your clock. That's the simple message from a Droitwich Spa horologist. Reginald Mills, of RA Mills - Watch Repairs, Sales and Service, in High Street, has more than 100 timepieces to adjust when clocks go back one hour
A COUNSELLING service which offers support to Droitwich Spa residents who have lost a loved one, could be forced to close. Bromsgrove Bereavement Counselling Service has served the town for 20 years offering confidential advice from a specially trained
TWO youths have appeared before Worcester magistrates charged with violent disorder. The case against Wayne Caines, aged 20, of De Wyche Close, Wychbold, and a 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was adjourned for committal proceedings
RESIDENTS will enjoy festive frolics this Christmas thanks to forward-thinking traders. Exciting celebrations have been revealed by the Droitwich Spa Association for Retail, Tourism and Services (DARTS). The first event is on Saturday November 25 when
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers paid the price for failing to capitalise on a period of intense second half pressure by tumbling to a 2-0 Nationwide Division Three defeat against table-topping Chesterfield at Aggborough last night. The Spireites, unbeaten on their
MALVERN Town responded in the best possible way to Saturday's shock defeat at Walsall Wood by defeating Midlands Alliance outfit Halesowen Harriers 4-3 in the Midland Invitation Cup at Hales-owen last night. Things looked bleak for Town when the ball
Hutchies Lady looks to have been found a decent opportunity in the Official Opening on Wednesday Handicap at Musselburgh tomorrow. The eight-year-old mare has shown a bit of improvement this season, her first with highly-successful trainer Jim Goldie,
BROMSGROVE enjoyed a successful afternoon with deserved wins by their first, second and third XVs over old rivals Wolverhampton. At Castlecroft, the firsts overcame a much improved Wolverhampton team despite having their pre-match plans upset by some
A MALVERN firefighter knows his grass is a cut above the rest thanks to his new lawn-mowing robot. Nic Browning is one of 100 green-fingered guinea pigs who hedged their bets before agreeing to try out the Robomow for Friendly Robotics UK Ltd. The £500
RECENTLY you published a letter from Cllr Richard Morris in which he expressed his dismay about the disregard by the planning authorities of the strong objections raised by residents and others to planning proposals. I share his concern as, no doubt,
WORCESTERSHIRE are considering replacing Graeme Hick as captain for next season. A change is likely following Hick's absence for long periods last year because of his England commitments. County chairman John Elliott said: "Graeme is an obvious choice
LUCKLESS Rovers plunged deeper into the bowels of the Western Division with this miserable defeat at Butlin Road on Saturday. George Rooney's men will have wished they had been living it up at Butlins instead because there was little to cheer about from
A COUPLE whose baby daughter has been battling a rare digestive problem since birth are hoping she will be allowed out of hospital for Christmas. Little Lauren Davis has only spent three days at her Worcester home since her birth at Ronkswood Hospital
MAKIN Fisheries at Wolvey in Warwickshire was the setting on Tuesday for the British Telecom Zone Individual Championships. Local top rod Gary Booth (Matchbox) from Catshill took the top spot pole fishing chopped worms and casters at peg A11 on pool two
A NEW tailor-made housing development aimed at Worcestershire's young executives has been launched in Bromsgrove. Fully furnished and decorated three and four-storey show homes were unveiled for the first time on the Westbury Park site, in Finstall. Westbury
SO will Worcester City be lining up among the big boys of Divisions Two and Three in Saturday's FA Cup first round draw? Victory over Hampton and Richmond Borough in Saturday's fourth qualifying round tie will take City to a stage they've reached only
A WELL-KNOWN Bromsgrove businessman and charity founder is at the centre of a major fraud investigation. Police and NHS fraud investigators are looking into claims that Hampton's The Opticians, in Crown Close, which recently changed its name to Crown
VULNERABLE young women could be forced to take short cuts along an isolated towpath if moves to close a road in Barnt Green go ahead, a concerned villager fears. Gary Surman is calling for a pedestrian pathway to be made part of plans by British Waterways
MARTIN Clinton (Evening News, October 18) should be supported in his efforts to open a BMX track on land at Perdiswell. Why should a minority and declining sport such as football be given priority? One only has to look at current national figures provided
6 THE closure of Worcester hospital beds should come as no surprise considering the policy of the health authority. They've made clear at public meetings that the assessment of bed numbers required has more to do with the money allocated than of clinical
PAUL Stammers is right when in his article headlined "Ageing computers add to cash crisis" (Evening News, Wednesday, October 18) he says old computers might have contributed to the cash problems facing social services. At last someone has realised that
IT'S another big day for us on Saturday when we travel to Hampton and Richmond Borough in the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup. It is a close one to call. They will be pleased with the draw they have got, and we will be saying our away form is something
ROVERS slumped to a third league defeat on the trot last night as their season wilts from bad to worse. And if George Rooney's team building doesn't start to reap positive results soon, the fans will soon be calling for the emergency services in a bid
FOLLOWING on from the success of the Great British Olympic team, Catshill teenager Richard White won bronze in the 200 metres at the Paralympic games in Sydney on Sunday. The 18-year-old, who has learning difficulties, already boasts a collection of silver
A CRITICAL shortage of players is puzzling Bromsgrove Hockey Club. Just weeks into the new campaign the club are struggling to fill their teams and are concerned about the effect this could have on the town's only hockey set-up. Chairman Alan Gormley
BROMSGROVE School day pupil Matthew Thomas won the Warwickshire Under 21 Men's Singles Finals last month at the tender age of 17. Matthew, who lives in Solihull, has won eight county titles in the last eight years and played in the English Public Schools
There has been some media coverage recently on the demand for a parish poll in Alvechurch wanting to decide the question of the euro. The parish council was of the opinion that the demand for the poll was unlawful on the grounds that parish polls should
MAY I say how disgraceful I found it that the war veteran featured in the Advertiser/Messenger last week could not get his flu jab. Surely in this day and age people are entitled to expect their surgeries and hospitals to have the relevant stocks of supplies
AS a councillor who has been involved with the farmers' market, I was disappointed that your report of the 'incident' or 'row' at the first Saturday farmers' market in High Street was somewhat one-sided. Your reporter largely ignored the main issue: the
WHAT we, the farmers, witnessed (Saturday market marred by row, Advertiser/Messenger), was a disgraceful exhibition of aggressive behaviour by a small minority of traders who came up High Street with the clear intention of causing disruption at the farmers
GEORGE Rooney is close to making a triple swoop for players from an unnamed Dr Martens League Premier Division club. The Bromsgrove Rovers boss has been tracking the trio -- a striker, defender and midfielder -- for a number of weeks, and finally looks
BROMSGROVE District Council has pledged to make public the health and safety report into accidents at the Dolphin Centre, after criticism from a member. The Health and Safety Executive had been called in to investigate after the centre, in School Drive
A SUCCESSFUL High Street shop in Bromsgrove is under threat after the company that owns them went into receivership. Motorworld, a car parts shop with three employees, must find a buyer or close after parent company Finelist Ltd ran up huge debts. Official
AT the September meeting, Scotland's Bill Moodie gave a slide show and talk on the mystical world of fungi. Fungal spores are within the atmosphere all the time and are a part of the natural environment. Many gardeners will have noticed a ring of tiny
AN influential group is urging Bromsgrove District Council to get the town's train station back on the rails by providing 200 extra car parking spaces. The Bromsgrove Society has written a letter to the authority claiming its plans to create 70 spaces
THE AGM will be held at Astwood Bank Club at 7.30pm on November 9. After the business of the evening, including the election of officers, there will be a finger buffet, followed by a talk by Phil Williams, headteacher at Astwood Bank First School, when
SCOUT packs in Bromsgrove have been forced to close and more face the axe because of a shortage of volunteer leaders. Belbroughton, Clent and Fairfield groups have closed along with a Venture unit at Lickey First. The future looks bleak for Seventh Bromsgrove
MEMBERS enjoyed a rare treat at the monthly meeting when they were entertained with a side show by Hugh Jones on village geology. He explained how rocks were formed in the landscape, how they were quarried and the huge variety of types and colours that
LOCAL Exchange Trading Scheme (LETS), set up in Bromsgrove this year, is trying to recruit new members. If you would like to use your skills and time to benefit yourself and others or would like to receive goods and services without the need for cash,
THE October meeting took place at Feckenham Village Hall where Stanley English, a member of the Simon de Montfort Society, spoke of the Battle of Evesham to a packed house. He described a recently discovered document, written by a monk at the time of
THE last meeting of the season was the AGM, followed by a fascinating talk with slides by author Gordon Ottewell on "Cotswold Curiosities." Mr Ottewell took the audience on a journey through the Cotswolds, beginning at Cheltenham from where on Leckhampton
A NEW vicar has been appointed to take over the parishes of Belbroughton and Clent. The Rev Barbara Mapley is currently vicar in the Witham team ministry, in Essex. She will succeed the Rev Derek Sharples who has retired. Mrs Mapley will be instituted
AN ambitious project to encourage more people on to trains by improving the rail network in Worcestershire and Herefordshire was revealed by the Cotswold Line Promotion Group yesterday (Tuesday). CLPG chairman Ian Baxter gave a presentation to the Rail
A car with a smoking front wheel was followed by police from two forces along lanes in North Worcestershire, a court heard. Sean Tidmarsh was tracked by West Midlands officers to the outskirts of Bromsgrove. The chase was then taken up by a West Mercia
BEFORE the luncheon on October 11, a two-minute silence was held in memory of Vi Adcock, a founder member. After an excellent lunch, speaker Jenny Thwaites was introduced and gave a talk on the "Artistry of Knitting." Jenny lives in Broadway and comes
THE October meeting was well attended and president Pat Radford welcomed members and visitors. The speaker Tony Caldwell enthralled members with words, pictures and music about his walk from Robin Hood's Bay to St Bees Head - Wainwright's Coast to Coast
AT the October meeting, Peter White gave a talk on growing orchids indoors and on windowsills. This was an excellent and very interesting afternoon which everyone enjoyed. The society will be putting on displays, firstly at the Banbury show in aid of
THE Autumn programme got underway with a talk by Michael Leech on "Garden and the Media." Mr Leech mapped out the change in his professional life from working for a paint manufacturer to employment in a garden tool company. The change came about by chance
STAFF at a Bromsgrove hospital have declared an amnesty for the walking wounded to return crutches and walking sticks since its stocks have fallen to an unhealthy low. Former patients who have borrowed them from the minor injuries unit at the Princess
A DEFENCELESS Barnt Green pensioner was kicked in the stomach by thugs who tricked their way into her 93-year-old neighbour's home. The 66-year-old woman went to check on her neighbour at around 6pm on Friday after hearing about two suspicious men in
WYCHBOLD'S recently opened telegraph office was doing good business. In the three weeks since it opened some 100 messages had passed through. This was good news for Dodderhill Parish Council which had guaranteed to underwrite any loss. FARMER Arthur Griffin
October 28, 1950 At a meeting held in the Scout Hut, Redditch, on Friday evening, a troop of sea scouts - unique in the history of Redditch - was formed. The instigator of the plan, Mr S Beveridge, who will be the leader of the group, has been connected
THE 21st Disney On Ice show and the first to have its world premiere in Britain kicks off at Birmingham NIA next week. The classic children's event has been wowing audiences, kids and adults alike, all over the world and has gained a huge following. Disney
Thursday, October 26 Elgar, Britten, Vaughan Williams, Foulds, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Hall, Birmingham. And October 28. Tickets from 0121 780 3333. Friday, October 27 English Folk Roots, Palace Theatre. Tickets from 65203. The
WORCESTERSHIRE'S Rover workers were rewarded for their efforts when West Midlands MEP Neena Gill visited the Longbridge plant. The Rover-owning MEP dubbed her 75 model "the best car" she had ever driven. "When I got my new Rover 75 I was so pleased with
A MALVERN firefighter knows his grass is a cut above the rest thanks to his new lawn-mowing robot. Nic Browning is one of 100 green-fingered guinea pigs who hedged their bets before agreeing to try out the Robomow for Friendly Robotics UK Ltd. The £500
BROMSGROVE Rovers slumped to their third Dr Martens League Western Division defeat on the trot when they were beaten 3-1 at Blakenall last night. Blakenall's enthusiasm was rewarded after seven minutes when striker Matt Coppin drilled a hard low shot
EARLY Christmas shoppers are in for double the fun when Bromsgrove Twins' Club holds a bumper table top sale in the town. The group, which provides support for parents expecting multiple births, has hired the town's market hall to host the event. Goods
THE founder of crisis-hit manufacturer Hatt Kitchens has stepped in to save the company and its 69 jobs. Clive Hatt led a management buyout yesterday at the firm, which collapsed on Friday with debts of £1.5m. The former managing director, who took a
THE grandmother still waiting for surgeons to clear her blocked bowel says only her grandchildren calling round stopped her from killing herself. A radioactive scan tract in June proved Sue Jones' bowel was not working - a condition which has left her
WORCESTER'S MP, Mike Foster, has held talks with the Housing Minister about the future of the city's housing stock. He said today the Minister, Nick Raynesford, believed the city council - which is running short of funds to repair its stock - could set
YOUNG Worcester job seekers are not being given a fair deal, according to the father of a teenager who has been offered only short-term contracts. Philip Price says his daughter Jodie has had four jobs since leaving college in March 1999. "It's a joke
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 and weekdays from 6-7pm. Knights Chemist, Evesham
TWO Worcester footballers ended up in Kidderminster General Hospital after violence erupted on the field in a cup match, a court has heard. The score was 0-0 when the second half started in the bad-tempered game between Wilden Steelers and Archdales 73
AN exhilarating display by hat-trick hero Jimmy Harris was the highlight of what was at times a stormy encounter. Harris' performance had class stamped all over it and showed that there is a place for thought and invention in the hurly-burly of Sunday
MEADOW Park FC U12s 5 Kidderminster Athletic 0. Tom Westwood broke the deadlock with a well-taken free kick. Second half goals from Rob Turner, Stuart Watts (two), and MoM Lucas Tilsley completed a fine victory. St John's Rangers 0 Droitwich Spa 14. The
IT was Clements Bros Cup action last week in the Bromsgrove and Redditch Table Tennis League. The Newton Works A team of Chris Maiden, Mark Fiddian and Michael Kendall were too good for Astwood Bank and came away from the Bank 9-0 winners. It was a similar
BROMSGROVE Hockey Club's Juniors have picked up this year where they left off last season with some impressive displays at all levels. Four lads -- Mark Gormley, Rammy Arafa, Mike Perrott and Patrick Ebbutt -- teamed up with friends from Old Hales in
RUBERY Juniors are on the look out for people with a passion for football to help improve the coaching and management of the club. They are expanding their team groups in the next season and need people trained in all aspects of junior football. Anyone
DROITWICH and District Snooker League, October 17, 2000. Division One: BUC A 3 CWMC C 2, CWMC A 3 DSC A 2, MILL B 4 AFSC C 1, BDC A 2 DRBL B 3, AFSC A 2 BLC A 3. Division Two: CWMC B 2, MILL A 3, DRBL A MILL YB, DSC B 3 BPC B 2. Ashley Harwood, the 15
RETAIL crime has been slashed in a county town thanks to a radio network designed to crackdown on shoplifters. Droitwich's retail crime initiative has cut the number of offences from 143 in 1997-1998 to 69 in 1999-2000. Police have been working with traders
IT'S often a fact of death that an obituary barely scratches the surface of an individual's life. Such is the case with Stanley Marshall today, a man whose contribution to the life of Worcester and the people who've called it home since the middle of
A BROMSGROVE-based occupational health company is now certified to train workers across the country in lifesaving first aid skills. Performance Through Health (PTH), in Hanbury Road, Stoke Prior, has been approved by the Health and Safety Executive to
REDDITCH Council's borough director is to leave the authority in the new year, it has been announced. Katherine Kerswell has been chief executive for more than three years and will be leaving in three months to take up the post of chief executive at Solihull
REDDITCH Council has spent a total of £109.84 on every resident providing services over the last year. The news follows the release of the council's performance indicators which demonstrated an improvement in services such as refuse collection. The figures
OBJECTIONS have been raised by the owners of the Kingfisher Centre to plans for a new fitness club in Greenlands which they believe will harm the vitality of the town centre. Councillors at a planning and transportation meeting last night were due to
REDDITCH market is set to be re-located from Royal Square to Market Place after councillors gave the go-ahead on Monday. Traders and Redditch Council have been in discussions over the temporary location of stalls to allow Debenhams to be built. It was
A NEW piece of medical equipment designed to cut the number of deaths from heart attacks has been launched in Redditch. The move to install hi-tech computers into ambulances with a direct link to the Alexandra Hospital comes after it was revealed the
A WOMAN struggled desperately with a man near Redditch town centre before he managed to grab her handbag and run off with it on Thursday. The man approached the 45-year-old victim in Easemore Road at about 3pm while she was at the bus stop near Dolphin
A WISH list has been drawn up by the Alexandra Hospital's League of Friends in a desperate attempt to kickstart a £35,000 appeal for a new play area. The league wants to build a hi-tech playground to help young patients' recovery but the campaign has
THE Alexandra Hospital's League of Friends has been praised after raising an incredible £213,668 this year. The money has been spent on a range of equipment and general comforts, including beds and furniture. The chairman of Worcestershire NHS Acute Hospital
A HOSPICE is celebrating after a proposed £560,000 extension was approved. The Primrose Hospice and Cancer Help Centre, which is based in Bromsgrove but takes most of its patients from Redditch, won planning permission from Bromsgrove Council last week
THE Environment Agency has launched an investigation into reports of strange particles of material floating through the air in the Winyates Green area. According to residents' reports concerning the Foxcote Close area, a metallic-like substance is floating
STUDLEY Village Hall committee has welcomed the news Stratford Council has backed its bid for funding for a new hall with a grant of £389,000. The committee is preparing a second lottery bid at the moment for an additional £389,000 from the National Lottery
TOWNSFOLK are to be asked to help those who normally do the helping. The town's Victim Support charity is about to launch a scheme where people - individuals and companies - are being asked to sponsor one of its volunteers who help victims of all types
UNDERAGE drinkers are to be targeted in a major police crackdown in Woodrow, Greenlands, Lodge Park and Oakenshaw. The blitz follows concerns from residents about alcohol-related vandalism by youngsters. Among measures being used by police are targeting
A BRAND new management structure focusing on customer care has been launched at the Kingfisher Centre as part of its £60 million revamp. The move follows a complete re-organisation and prioritisation of the main centre staff which has seen the creation
A NEIGHBOURHOOD Watch leader has voiced concern about police cover in the Crabbs Cross area. Cookhill co-ordinator John Fletcher said there had been plans for one sergeant and six officers at the Crabbs Cross station when sector policing was launched
A PUBLIC exhibition on options to improve the A435 between Alcester and Gorcott Hill drew about 2,700 people last week. Warwickshire County Council chiefs were encouraged by the three-day event at Studley Village Hall and are now awaiting final comments
STUDLEY claims to be one of the largest villages in England yet it is currently having difficulties recruiting a new parish councillor. It seems that not one resident from the village's sizeable population is interested in joining the parish council despite
CARERS are to be placed at the centre of a major initiative to ensure they are receiving all the help and support to which they are entitled. Carers Careline has been running in Redditch for about 12 years and provides a vital lifeline for vulnerable
A CAR stolen by youngsters was pushed into a wall of an office block where someone was working, a police officer has revealed. WPc Sally McMillan, of Crabbs Cross police, said that youngsters had taken the car, parked on the Dunlop Road Industrial Estate
READERS may be able to help an Aylesbury man researching the history of a RAF Lancaster bomber crew who died almost exactly 56 years ago on a raid over Germany. Gordon Smith is trying to identify the brave members of the 106 Squadron crew pictured in
THE army has been drafted in to help with a major clean-up operation in Oakenshaw on Saturday. Several hundred people are expected to turn out for the tidy-up, which has been expanded from the cleaning up of a small wooded spinney to the entire area.
DOCTORS have been warned to keep a check on their supply of the flu vaccine after two of their drug suppliers announced they had not manufactured enough. Redditch Primary Care Group has issued urgent messages to all of the 12 GP surgeries across the town
A PRINT worker who said he was forced to take part in a robbery after his 15-year-old brother had been threatened with a knife by a Droitwich Spa man walked free from Worcester Crown Court on Monday. A jury found Benjamin Norcott, aged 20, of Bowbrook
THE owners of a visually impaired white Alsation, which disappeared two weeks ago, are overjoyed to be reunited with him. Three-year-old George, worth £400, had been missing from his Himbleton home. He disappeared from Andy Carter and Jayne Billingham's
FORMER skipper Tom Moody is interested in becoming Worcestershire's new coach. The Australian ace has contacted the County following Bill Athey's resignation. Former New Road coach David Houghton has also expressed an interest in the job according to
WORCESTERSHIRE are considering replacing Graeme Hick as captain for next season. A change is likely following Hick's absence for long periods last year because of his England commitments. County chairman John Elliott said: "Graeme is an obvious choice
SO will Worcester City be lining up among the big boys of Divisions Two and Three in Saturday's FA Cup first round draw? Victory over Hampton and Richmond Borough in Saturday's fourth qualifying round tie will take City to a stage they've reached only
TWO goals by striker Dean Roberts helped Evesham Unit-ed to their second Dr Martens League Western Division 'double' of the season following last night's 3-1 win against Rugby United at Butlin Road. United forged ahead on 13 minutes. Mark Wolsey made
ROCK Sports U15s recorded their first win of the season in the Stourport & District Youth League with victory over visitors County Sports in Division two. And they did it in style, cruising to an 11-3 win, James Manley netting six of the goals. James
ALCESTER Amateur Operatic Society is busy preparing for its biggest performance of the year at the town's Greig Centre next month. Crazy For You is a musical which tells the tale of a boy sent to close down a theatre in a hick American town but who falls
A COMEDY of wedding days and lifelong responsibilities takes place at The Door, at Birmingham Repertory Theatre, next week. A Wedding Story, written by Bryony Lavery, tells the tale of Sally, who, taking her place in church among screaming babies and
FORMER skipper Tom Moody is interested in becoming Worcestershire's new coach. The Australian ace has contacted the County following Bill Athey's resignation. Former New Road coach David Houghton has also expressed an interest in the job according to
AN aerobics teacher has bounced back to work after giving birth to a bonny baby girl. Just two months after Megan Ellis was born her mum, Carol Rosborough, returned to Chawson First School, Wyche Road, Droitwich Spa, where she runs four workouts a week
THE Human Rights Act would appear to be more concerned with the criminal than with the innocent. Murderers and rapists will soon be able to appeal (on legal aid) against their "inhumane" sentences. But there must be many out there who voted for Ted Heath
IT heartens me to be able to say that the Evening News is usually a newspaper that can be relied upon to give a fair and accurate coverage, particularly on local government issues. However, in a recent comment piece on Nellie Copson's planning application
FANS of Broms-grove Rovers put the wheels in motion for positions on the supporters trust following their first Steering Committee meeting last Friday. Club director Phil Baker was elected chairman with long serving supporter Paul Cheston as secretary
IT'S been a whirlwind season for Dodford race ace Richard Evans. The 17-year-old clinched the Junior Avon Formula Ford Zetec Challenge Championship at the start of the month in Castle Combe, Bristol. His triumph was all the more remarkable considering
SPORTING a brand new clean kit, Bromsgrove seemed intent on keeping it that way as Wolves dominated the early exchanges. It took some crunching tackles from Steve Gauder to keep the lively Wolves three quarter line at bay. Against the run of play, on
DROITWICH produced a good away performance, controlling the game almost from start to finish, with the forwards producing a steady supply of quality possession coupled with a dynamic driving moves. Some of the forwards ball handling and interpassing was
ON October 28 the first Poppy Appeal of the new Millennium will be launched. Following this launch there will be a special event which will take place at the Millennium Dome on Armistice Day, November 11, involving 2000 children linking up to form a circle
Don't forget to put your clocks back one hour at 2am on Sunday. This is when British Summer Time comes to an end!
A COUNSELLING service which offers support to Bromsgrove and Droitwich Spa residents who have lost a loved one could be forced to close. Bromsgrove Bereavement Counselling Service has served both towns for 20 years offering confidential advice from a
AT the October meeting, Glynis Gayton was the speaker. She lives in the north of the country and belongs to her local WI. As a young girl, she did a Saturday job in a local family bakery and fell in love and married one of the sons. From then on her life
AN angry Bromsgrove pensioner who glassed a pub customer during an argument over Sky TV has been jailed for six months. Dennis Richardson, a 71-year-old father-of-five, pleaded guilty at Worcester Crown Court on Friday to wounding 37-year-old Mark Harrison
A CONCERNED Rubery councillor is calling on water bosses to take action and stop a leak in the village before someone is seriously hurt. Bromsgrove district councillor Peter McDonald (Lab, Uffdown and Waseley) fears the pavement and road where the leak
PRESIDENT Elizabeth Ostroumoff invited Margaret James to light the candle of friendship for Annelise Larsen, President of Sonderborg, Denmark. Speaker Robert Lyne, of the Anti Smuggling Drug Squad at Birmingham Airport, gave a very enlightening and at
A STRATFORD councillor is urging Stratford District Council to seek legal advice over three planning applications for a site in the town, which he believes have been submitted by developers attempting to avoid providing social housing. Councillor Peter
PET owners from Bromsgrove are being urged to keep their animals safe as Bonfire Night approaches. The People's Dispensary for Sick Animals, which offers free veterinary care for people on housing and council tax benefits, is urging residents to keep
PRESIDENT Christine Crabtree conducted the AGM and welcomed back two members who had been absent for several meetings due to illness. Details of coach pick-up points and times were given for the forthcoming London trip. Jenny Williams is organising the
ANTIQUE clocks worth altogether more than £6,000 were stolen from a Stow antique shop. Police believe burglars broke into Bryden House Antiques in Sheep Street at about 12.30am on Sunday, (October 22). A total of seven British, French and American clocks
A HIGH-RANKING police officer has been appointed to the force which serves Bromsgrove. Ch Supt Ian Arundale, aged 41, takes up the post of Assistant Chief Constable with West Mercia Constabulary after 21 years with South Wales Police. He has experience
MEMBERS braved the very wet and windy weather to attend the October meeting and all the gloom was dispelled by the speaker, Lynn Stevens, with her show business stories. Her great-grandmother, grandmother and mother were all dressers to the famous stars
LIFE-SAVING classes are set to start in the town. Bromsgrove and District Heartstart has been set up to provide free cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to residents. The programmes aim to teach simple techniques which could help you save someone's life
THE first meeting of the new season of film and slide shows for railway enthusiasts held by the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, Redditch and Alcester Group, was held recently. As usual, the first meeting featured slides and videos taken by group
HEAVY traffic could be steered out of Bromsgrove if plans to de-trunk a main road in the town go ahead. Bromsgrove District Council's planning and highways committee heard a report from the authority's head of policy and performance, John Moody. The reports
COUNCILLORS in Bromsgrove have criticised county bosses for forcing the district to step in and ensure Rubery gets some Christmas cheer. Bromsgrove District Council's recreation, amenities and tourism committee voted last Tuesday night to contribute £12,000
MALVERN Town responded in the best possible way to Saturday's shock defeat at Walsall Wood by defeating Midlands Alliance outfit Halesowen Harriers 4-3 in the Midland Invitation Cup at Hales-owen last night. Things looked bleak for Town when the ball
A NEW hi-tech weapon used in Rubery in the fight against car crime has helped traffic police make more than 100 arrests. Criminals in stolen cars or driving around carrying stolen property are being targeted using special cameras in Lickey Road, in a
AT the last meeting, members were taken along the River Severn from its source in Plynlimon in Mid Wales at a height of 2,468 feet, to Bridgnorth. The speaker, Brian Draper, has been given the MBE for his service to the people of the Upper Severn Valley
A BROMSGROVE mum is "sickened" after discovering cash-strapped county bosses spent £5m on new computers but refused to buy her disabled daughter a special chair. Karen Lane, whose ten-year-old daughter, Karis, has cerebral palsy and Turner's Syndrome
MEMBERS were welcomed to birthday night at the October meeting and the evening was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. A big thank you to Lynda Wilson and committee for the excellent food and wine. Entertainment was provided by a group of very talented ladies
A BROMSGROVE 17-year-old convicted of fatally stabbing a teenager almost two years ago has failed in an Appeal Court bid to clear his name. The boy -- referred to as 'S' -- was acquitted of murdering Joseph Edwards but convicted of his manslaughter at
HI-TECH Bromsgrove councillors agreed to allocate £25,000 to cover the cost of putting the Local Plan map on the Internet. At last Monday's meeting of Bromsgrove District Council's planning and highways committee, an officer explained with changing technology
A BATTLING Bromsgrove mum claims she has been "gagged" by county council bosses who have banned her from helping families whose children have special education needs. Yesterday Karen Lane, who trained for six weeks to become a Worcestershire County Council
BROMSGROVE Rovers slumped to their third Dr Martens League Western Division defeat on the trot when they were beaten 3-1 at Blakenall last night. Blakenall's enthusiasm was rewarded after seven minutes when striker Matt Coppin drilled a hard low shot
October 27, 1900 Lewis Edgar Warwood, described as a labourer, failed to appear in answer to a charge of using indecent language in Bromsgrove Road on the 17th inst. Pc Barleet proved the case and defendant was fined 10s and 7s 6d costs in default 14
October 24, 1975 The latest effort to stir up public interest in the ailing Palace Theatre is a new supporters club inaugural meeting attracting over 100 people. About 60 people have so far subscribed to the Friends of the Palace Theatre society and the
Arrow Vale Singers have launched themselves onto the worldwide web by setting up their own internet site thanks to the technical know-how of new musical director John Clark. Details of forthcoming concerts, booking forms, music to be practised at the
Tuesday, October 24, 2000. KIDDERMINSTER Harriers paid the price for failing to capitalise on a period of intense second half pressure by tumbling to a 2-0 Nationwide Division Three defeat against table-topping Chesterfield at Aggborough last night. The
WORCESTER estate agent Andrew Grant has launched its flagship regional office in Birmingham to give county house-sellers a wider audience. The new office in Colmore Row is to work closely with the Foregate Street branch to provide cover across the Midlands
REDDITCH councillors were last night set to pass a motion to allow townsfolk to air their views during planning meetings. It will be the first time in the council's history that people will have the right to speak on planning applications. And the pilot
A PARISH vicar has spoken out on the issue of cannabis use in society, while confessing his own personal problems with drugs as a young man. The Rev Richard Deimel, of Studley Parish Church, said he did not believe casual users of cannabis should be treated
