Archive

  • Student dies in danger quarry

    A TEENAGER has died at a notorious accident spot during an end-of-term college visit to the Malvern Hills. Police divers spent nearly four hours searching at Gullet Quarry for Yunus Ismail Moolla after being alerted yesterday afternoon. The 17-year-old

  • Police witness plea after boy 'grabbed'

    SHARP-eyed Malvern people who could have spotted an 11-year-old boy being grabbed by a youth are being urged to contact West Mercia police. Investigating officer PC Adrian Bowden said he was sure there was an "innocent" explanation for the incident which

  • Bacteria found in hospital water supply

    AN expert is to be called in to try and find out how the Legionella bacteria entered the water supply at a Worcester hospital site. The bug, which does not pose a threat to human health, was discovered in the east wing of the Elgar Mental Health Unit

  • Hubble bubble, toil and trouble

    A FERVENT football supporter's passion for his team has ended up costing him "an arm and a leg" in phone bills. Lole Carey wanted West Ham United's logo of a Smiley Face on his mobile phone, so the Worcester father-of-four rang a company offering the

  • Musicians tuning up for show

    FOUR young musicians will be performing for the public as members of the Upton Arts Music Group. The concert on Saturday, July 7 is due to take place at the Memorial Hall, Upton-upon-Severn. It will feature Shulah Oliver, a former King's School Worcester

  • Teaming up with town in Holland

    WORCESTER'S All Saints area could team up with a community in Holland to continue links forged during a recent multi-cultural festival in the city. A party of children from Alkmaar came to the Faithful City to take part in the Funpac 2001 event, that

  • Heather stretches out and has a ball

    A SCHOOLGIRL turned into Cinderella for the evening and went to the ball in style. Fifteen-year-old Heather Jones was greeted at her Kempsey home by a chauffeur-driven stretch limo, to take her to Hanley Castle High School prom. The car, organised as

  • School on course for new classes

    PLANS for a radical overhaul of facilities at a Cleobury Mortimer school costing more than £850,000 have been submitted to South Shropshire district planners. Lacon Childe School, Love Lane, wants to create new classroom space and upgrade its food and

  • Chemists rota

    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

  • 4/7/01 - Shilton's son signs up

    KIDDERMINSTER Harriers have made Sam Shilton their second new summer signing. The 22-year old, son of former England goalkeeping legend Peter, has agreed a two-year deal with the club following his release by Hartlepool United. Shilton began his career

  • New system is an affront

    THE letter from Mr Cheal (Advertiser, June 27) highlights the undemocratic manner in which Bromsgrove District Council is now being run while an interim form of "modernisation" is in place. Unfortunately, the council taxpayers now have the worst of both

  • Where were the parents?

    I DROVE through Astwood Bank yesterday and saw a group of about eight unaccompanied children aged 10-12, three of them girls, making their way through the village. Nothing unusual about that, you may suppose, but this was at 2.45 in the morning! Surely

  • We are real opposition

    I REALLY do not understand how Gavin Smithers has the cheek to attack me through your Letters Page (June 27). He states: "If democracy in Redditch is not to be made a laughing stock we cannot tolerate this sloppiness." He should know it is the Conservative

  • People will soon vote for a real democracy

    AS the dust settles after the General Election, I feel there were only two people who stood for real democracy in Redditch - myself and George Flynn. The mainstream parties lost a significant number of votes. Liberal Democrat Mike Ashall with 3,808 could

  • Free course in childcare

    PEOPLE in Redditch who are keen to learn about working with children are set to benefit from a free introductory college course. Organised by the Worcestershire Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership, an information and enrolment course will

  • Players set to return

    REDDITCH Rugby Club are looking to bounce straight back following their relegation to North Midlands One last season. The Bromsgrove Road club have appointed Mark Rose as first team captain and are now back in training for the new season. Anyone looking

  • Trio miss out on cup tie

    EXHALL & Wixford CC take another step towards Lord's this weekend when they battle for a place in the last 16 of the 6X Village KO competition. The villagers are at home to Shropshire's Tibberton on Sunday (2.30pm start). But skipper Simon Holland

  • Parents in speed protest

    THE heartbroken parents of a Wythall teenager who died days after he was stuck by a car were surrounded by friends and fellow residents as they took to the streets to protest about the speed limit. Ryan Pettigrew, 14, from The Hurst, Hollywood, died from

  • Couple tune in to holiday love

    A LAKESIDE woman found her perfect partner in the heat of the Sahara desert after winning a regional radio competition. Karen Pritchard, 31, of Kingsley Avenue, and Dave Monkton, 32, from Cradley Heath, were separate winners of a week-long Heart FM breakfast

  • Police dispel gangs

    GANGS of white and Asian youths gathered in the town centre on Sunday following a racially aggravated assault on a 16-year-old boy. The teenager did not need hospital treatment after the attack which happened at about 4.30pm in Church Green. At 5pm, Redditch

  • Spire's future set in stone

    AS shoppers and workers go about their business around St Stephen's Church, a small group of dedicated stonemasons are slowly but surely chipping away 140ft up. The painstaking work to restore the 156-year-old spire to its original magnificence is finally

  • Trust gifts up to £500

    DONATIONS of more than £500 have already been made to the Meningitis Trust after a six-year-old Redditch girl died from the disease while on holiday in Devon. Julie and Allan Senior, of Chedworth Close, Church Hill, have been moved by people's response

  • Town teams run up cash

    THREE Redditch teams recently took part in a charity event which involved them being dumped at a secret location 100 miles away and told to find their way back. The teams - Saucy Summertime Santas, of Winyates East, Compaq Convicts, of Church Hill North

  • Students get to see the sights

    THREE students from America have landed in Redditch as part of an exchange programme. The sixth form students touched down on Monday, June 18, and met their exchange counterparts from The Leys High School. The students visited the sites of London, Stratford

  • Jean meets the Queen

    A long-serving Redditch Citizens Advice Bureau adviser will be attending a garden party at Buckingham Palace next week. Jean Hart, of Hunt End, was a member of the original steering group in 1967 which was responsible for forming the town branch, and

  • Canon fires up for mission

    REDDITCH had its own version of the Cannonball Run on Monday but with a twist. Instead, it was more a case of the Canon Salt Run as Canon David Salt of St Stephen's Church rev-ed up his motorbike and transported a time capsule to St Leonard's Church in

  • Flower power comes to town

    REDDITCH town centre will become blooming marvellous over the next few months following the launch of a hanging basket competition. A number of businesses and organisations will be putting flower baskets outside their premises in Alcester Street and Church

  • Pair's princely party

    A STUDLEY couple were the guests of Prince Phillip recently when they were invited to his swanky 80th birthday bash at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Mike Ford, a Duke of Edinburgh Award officer and his wife Caroline, leader of St Mary's Brownie Pack

  • 4/7/01 - Weston puts County top

    Worcestershire went to the top of the Norwich Union League Division Two with a convincing 138-run victory over Derbyshire last night. Superb batting from Philip Weston and Vikram Solanki powered Worcestershire to 288-6 from 45 overs. A depleted Derbyshire

  • Leaders punish a batting collapse

    BARNT Green Cricket Club's First XI continued their dismal run of form by losing away to table-toppers Stratford on Saturday. The defeat leaves Lyndon Jones's men propping up the Birmingham and District Premier League Premier Division with half the season

  • Town survive Murphy magic but slip to bottom

    BROMSGROVE Cricket Club's First XI finished the first half of the season bottom of the Birmingham and District Premier League Division One. Failure to win on Saturday away to Stourbridge saw the town sink to the bottom for the first time this season,

  • Cutnall in luck as Shuck strikes out

    CUTNALL Green First XI beat Kidderminster Thirds by seven wickets in Worcestershire County League Division Five on Saturday. Kidderminster batted first and steadily lost wickets on a difficult batting track. They managed to hang on until the 43rd over

  • Season starts at 30 for plucky Spa

    DROITWICH Spa Cricket Club's First XI achieved an excellent victory at St Peters Fields on Sunday against West Bromwich Dartmouth First XI, winning by 30 runs. Spa took the first knock in the Berry and Co Premier Division fixture and were soon on the

  • Weston puts County top

    Worcestershire went to the top of the Norwich Union League Division Two with a convincing 138-run victory over Derbyshire last night. Superb batting from Philip Weston and Vikram Solanki powered Worcestershire to 288-6 from 45 overs. A depleted Derbyshire

  • Paddlers win GB Dragon honours

    WORCESTER Dragon Boat Racing Club are making waves on the national scene with 15 of its members in the Great Britain squad for the forthcoming World Championships in America. Dragon racing has its roots in China, Indonesia, Japan and as a sport is based

  • Cautions falling in county

    Bad boys are still causing problems in Worcestershire football leagues although overall cautions fell by 16 per cent last season with misconduct cases down by nine percent. Worcestershire Foot-ball Association's disciplinary report showed the number of

  • Powell's cup recall

    REDDITCH captain Guy Muspratt was this week preparing his troops for their Birmingham KO Cup semi-final at Wolverhampton tonight (6.30pm start). The Bromsgrove Road side are one match away from glory in their first season in the competition and go into

  • 4/7/01 - Pain game begins for Sixways stars

    WHEN Worcester Rugby Club's players read their programme for the beginning of their pre-season work, they could have been forgiven for thinking 'test week' would be a walk in the park. Think again! Peter Finch - the newly recruited fitness coach at Sixways

  • Studley aim to stretch record

    STUDLEY shocked league leaders Kings Heath with a winning draw on Saturday, knocking them off their Birmingham Two East perch in the process. Mark Lewis' troops belied their lowly league position with a performance described by their captain as 'back

  • Bank ready to maintain their margin

    ASTWOOD Bank have opened up a bumper 37-point lead at the top of Worcestershire Two as they maintained their unbeaten record with victory at home to second-placed Romsley & Hunnington. And with the season at the halfway mark, captain Alex Robinson

  • Thriller finishes all square

    GREAT Alne had to settle for a share of the points after finding themselves on the receiving end of a run blitz at home to fellow Cotswold Two strugglers Catherine de Barnes. Skipper Craig Millard was able to include Dave Coll and Tom Jones in his side

  • Debut joy

    LUKE Davis made a debut 50 for Hewell in their Worcestershire Six clash at fellow title hopefuls Chain-Wire. The batsman's knock of 56 helped Hewell to a total of 176-5 but this was too little to threaten the home side who clinched the points for a winning

  • Backbone bonus

    ALVECHURCH captain Nick Jones was celebrating this week after watching his side snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in their Worcestershire Three game at home to Victoria & Blakeley. But his celebrations were cut short after hearing that he would

  • Do you want to be the face of female soccer?

    FEMALE footballers are being sought to enter an exciting competition. Fancy the chance of being the new face of women's soccer worldwide? Global Sporting Media plc, through MyBeautifulGame.com, are looking for a World Ambassador to support their promotion

  • Under 21s faced with booze ban

    OFF licences in the south west of Redditch are operating an over-21s policy in an attempt to help police combat underage drinking. Earlier this month, the Redditch Advertiser reported the problem police were having with under 18s drinking alcohol and

  • School enjoys festive finale

    NEARLY 50 years after it opened, a Redditch school is finally closing its doors for good - but not without a mighty send-off. Around 1,500 pupils and staff, both former and current, gathered at Bridley Moor High School on Thursday for a glittering evening

  • Sporting success

    VAYNOR First School is to be presented with the Activemark Gold award by Sport England. The Headless Cross school was awarded an Activemark last July and is believed to be one of only two schools in the country to follow it up with the gold award a year

  • 4/7/01 - Weston puts County top

    Worcestershire went to the top of the Norwich Union League Division Two with a convincing 138-run victory over Derbyshire last night. Superb batting from Philip Weston and Vikram Solanki powered Worcestershire to 288-6 from 45 overs. A depleted Derbyshire

  • Ogden Nash

    THE American humorist Ogden Nash once wrote, about babies: "A little talcum is always welcome". GEORGE COWLEY,

  • Ronkswood Hospital

    I WOULD like to thank ambulance paramedics for their prompt response and also express my gratitude to doctors, nurses and staff (Ward 12R) for the care they gave me during my recent stay in Ronkswood Hospital. LAWRENCE JONES,

  • Strengths help us face up to death

    IN response to George Cowley, I am 31 years old and I walk six miles every evening. I do classes in martial arts and I do not dislike religion. It's just that, like most people I know, I don't believe there is much truth in religion. I have experienced

  • A blip on screen

    APOLOGIES - there was a mistake in the address to which you should send your nominations for the RADAR People of the Year awards. You should write to People of the Year, 12 City Forum, 250 City Rd, London, EC1V 8AF. RADAR (The Royal Association for Disability

  • Question for Richard Chamings

    I HAVE a question for Richard Chamings of the UK Independence Party. If being in Europe is such a disastrous thing for our economy, why do the main political parties take the opposite view? Surely Kenneth Clarke and Gordon Brown, who have been in charge

  • Garden of Eden

    IN reply to my old friend George Cowley (You Say, June 25) thanks for informing me that the Garden of Eden contained a serpent. Some of my "Old Labour" friends think there are a couple of serpents residing at Nos 10 and 11 Downing Street, with a few grass

  • Ground

    Sixways, Pershore Lane, Hindlip, Worcester WR3 8ZE. Telephone: 01905 454183. Fax: 01905 459333. Email: rugby@wrfc.co.uk

  • Colours

    Jersey: Navy Blue and Old Gold. Shorts: Navy Blue. Stockings: Navy Blue and Old Gold Tops.

  • Youth stars are right on track

    A WEEKEND which started as a damp squib ended up with fine display for Bromsgrove Olympique's youth team. The racing started well enough, with Ross Dingley missing a win in the first race at Halesowen by only a few centimetres. The downpour, which had

  • Spa athletes clinch district honours

    THESE are the latest batch of top athletes from Witton Middle School. Youngsters from year seven of the Droitwich school were successful in the Bromsgrove and Droitwich District Athletic Championships on Wednesday June 13. The girls won the title while

  • All-clear for model clinic

    AFTER joining the National Primary Care Collaborative project three months ago, Bidford Health Centre is proving to be in great shape when it comes to providing patient care. Members of the centre team were recently asked by the National Care Primary

  • History brought to book!

    THE people of Haselor and Walcote have now received a copy of a unique book which contains a photographic survey of buildings within the parish in 2000, as well as a large variety of old photographs. The book was compiled by parishioner David Rayner and

  • Play audit shows village is lacking

    AN audit of play areas in Bidford by Stratford Council has shown the village to be badly lacking. In January, councillors and Bidford Community Group members expressed concerns about the quantity and quality of play areas, which they felt were not keeping

  • Witnesses plea over road rage

    POLICE are appealing for witnesses following a road rage incident in Redditch on Friday. The incident happened at about 11.07am on the Studley Road near the Woodrow Pub in Woodrow and involved two vehicles. Police said a male driver from one car attempted

  • Assault charge

    A Church Hill teenager has appeared before Redditch Magistrates charged with committing a racially aggravated assault on Sunday. Gareth Masters, aged 18, of Chedworth Close, has been given conditional bail and is due to appear before magistrates again

  • Police in fight for litigation

    A ZERO tolerance policy against assaults on Redditch ambulance staff has been backed by police after a female paramedic was attacked by a man she was treating. In last week's Redditch Advertiser, the ambulance service announced it was to push for its

  • Institution for assault

    A Batchley teenager has been sent to a young offenders' institution for four months for assaulting a police officer. Scott Patrick Fitzgerald, 18, of Foxlydiate Crescent, admitted to the charge which took place on April 25. He was also charged with stealing

  • Drive on fraudsters speeds up

    THE ongoing drive to hit benefit fraudsters hard is gathering pace with the introduction of new computer links between Redditch Council and the DSS. Prosecutions are already in the pipeline as a result of the Housing Benefits Matching Service which has

  • Co-op worker altered figures

    A WOMAN who covered up thefts from the Co-op store where she was a supervisor by putting through bogus refund dockets has escaped a prison sentence. Instead, a judge at Warwick Crown Court ordered June Gardiner, 34, of Foster Avenue, Studley, to do 150

  • Hot shot Henning

    STAR striker Matt Henning is ready to roll back the years as he lines up once more for Feckenham. The hot shot was one of the Midland Combination's most feared marksmen during his time with Upton Town and Worcester Athletico. Injuries have hindered his

  • It's tough on the transfer market

    4/7/01 COMPETITION for players is still giving Kidderminster Harriers boss Jan Molby problems. After Steve Jones' last-minute decision to snub a move to Aggborough, Molby has now missed out on Carl Hutchings. The 26-year-old, who would have been a versatile

  • Feckenham Forest History Society

    MEMBERS and visitors to the June meeting at Feckenham Village Hall were treated to a talk on the Dodford Chartist Village by Diana Poole, whose intensive research and enthusiasm for her subject brought the whole situation alive. There was also the added

  • Merry Wives of Alcester

    ON May 22 at the Greig Hall, Margaret Dolby gave an interesting and inspiring colourful talk about designing and creating her handcrafted rugs and wall hangings. Margaret began by stating members need never buy a rug or carpet again - with time and inclination

  • Rotary Club of Alcester

    FORTY-SEVEN elderly residents from Bidford, Alcester and Studley were collected from their homes and transported by coach to Blackpool for a week's holiday. This is an annual event and open to all elderly residents who have only to contact any Rotarian

  • Festival set to blow its own trumpet

    THE twelfth Pershore Midsummer Brass Festival takes place on Saturday and promises to be a unique non-competitive event, featuring more than 20 bands. The festival has increased in prestige over the years and is now regarded as a significant event in

  • Northern lights

    A FEW seats are still up for grabs for a summer trip to a northern hot spot, thanks to the Advertiser/Messenger. Your No.1 newspaper has teamed up with Bromsgrove Rotary Club to offer readers a break in Blackpool. Limited places are still available for

  • Music for summer

    MUSIC for a summer's evening is set to raise cash for a charity launched in the honour of a Rednal youngster who died after contracting a deadly bug. Longbridge Methodist Church is hosting the concert in aid of the Heather Preen Trust next Saturday July14

  • Arise! Sir Aaron

    NOT everybody wakes up as plain old Mister and goes to bed a Sir. But that was the case for one 22-year-old Redditch man after his proud mum bought him a knightship as a graduation present. Teresa Wood successfully outbid others at Arrow Auctions in Washford

  • Are junkets what tenants want?

    IT'S a case of handbags at 20 paces as Worcester city councillor Gary Kibblewhite lashes out at his former Tory colleagues. He has criticised the party for "not bothering" to send anyone to this year's National Housing Conference in Yorkshire, which he

  • Worry at missing workers

    ABSENTEEISM continues to be a problem in the workplace, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development has claimed. After its second annual survey, the CIPD said 84 per cent of employers thought they could reduce the number of people taking time

  • Mutilated victims of evil

    DROITWICH'S Poppy Day murder was executed by a sick serial killer who mutilated the bodies of his three victims so they could not be recognised. Unlicensed taxi driver Philip Smith strangled and set fire to his first victim, beat and drove over his second

  • Firm accused of bullying tactics

    WORCESTER-based White Arrow delivery drivers have rejected a second pay offer from employers Reality Group over what workers describe as "bully-boy" tactics to enforce company restructuring. Industrial action is on the cards as drivers in the Transport

  • More than one bid for school

    TESCO is not the only organisation to have made a bid to raze a Worcester high school and build on its site, Worcestershire County Council has revealed. The council advertised the Christopher Whitehead site in St John's in the Official Journal of the

  • Magistrates court workers to strike

    MAGISTRATES court workers across Worcestershire will strike next week, following the breakdown of talks between their union and managers. The Association of Magisterial Officers (AMO) says it feels forced into taking the unprecedented step after negotiations

  • All aboard for talk on the buses

    PASSENGERS are being invited to climb aboard a First Midland Red bus and go head-to-head with public transport chiefs about the services they receive. The open surgery this Saturday will be staged on a low floor bus in Worcester as a platform for users

  • Mum-of-five is jailed for 'glassing' clubber

    A MOTHER-of-five has been jailed for 18 months for jabbing a beer glass into the face of another reveller at a Kidderminster nightclub. Pauline Harley had drunk eight pints before the argument which ended in hotel receptionist Sharon Pitman suffering

  • English learning curve for Christelle

    A STUDENT at the college attended by murdered French teenager Celine Figard has arrived in Worcester on a scholarship. Christelle Mougeot, aged 20, who studies at Lyce le Grand Chenois, was awarded the two-week visit by of the Kingsway English Centre

  • Excrement found in swimming pool

    PARENTS and children had to be evacuated from a Worcester swimming pool when a piece of human faeces was found floating in the water. Unsuspecting swimmers at the Sansome Walk baths were forced to leave the fun pool for an hour while the excrement was

  • Spotlight on home safety

    A FREE smoke detector is on offer to the first 70 families taking part in a home safety event in Kidderminster on Saturday. The Horsefair and Broadwaters Community Neighbourhood Partnership has organised the event which will allow families to devise an

  • What a sad, negative attitude!

    A LETTER in your June 20 issue from K Miller provokes me to write. He appears to be intelligent yet asks why Studley residents overwhelmingly prefer the western duel carriageway bypass scheme. Quite simply they realise that it is the best solution. Without

  • Start writing for fairness

    BROMSGROVE District Council have opted for an Executive Cabinet style of government in a trial being run as required by the New Local Government Act. This is Option 1 of the four options available: Option 1: A Cabinet with a Leader. Option 2: A directly

  • Letter from Westminster by Jacqui Smith MP

    THERE was a clear message at the General Election to me as MP and to the Government. It was a message that, while you shared our priorities, you wanted to see us deliver more and faster. You want Redditch's schools and hospitals improved, crime tackled

  • Boundaries to go in clearout

    REDDITCH is to undergo radical changes to its ward boundaries to improve equality of representation for electors. Last week, the council embarked on a two-year review of its boundaries which currently see many areas of town under-represented or over-represented

  • A council of six could be cabinet

    PLANS for the biggest shake-up Redditch Council has seen in nearly 30 years have been submitted to Secretary of State Stephen Byers. The proposals could see a ''cabinet'' of no more than six councillors making day to day decisions instead of the current

  • Lord is new leader

    Alvechurch County Councillor George Lord has been chosen as the Leader of Worcestershire County Council. Conservative Mr Lord, 69, who lives in Bromsgrove with his wife Margaret, served as a Bromsgrove councillor from 1976-1983 before becoming chairman

  • All aboard for citizenship

    YOUNGSTERS at Church Hill Middle School learned the importance of democracy when a top councillor dropped in for assembly on Friday. Liberal Democrat Diane Thomas took morning assembly at the Wood Piece Lane school after being invited as part of a citizenship

  • The actions of a caring government?

    THE Labour Party was formed to battle for the cause of the underprivileged and the poor. Throughout the 20th Century it carried the torch of social justice, shining its light on oppression. Now, in a move which some might call interesting and others disturbing

  • It's tough on the transfer market

    4/7/01 COMPETITION for players is still giving Kidderminster Harriers boss Jan Molby problems. After Steve Jones' last-minute decision to snub a move to Aggborough, Molby has now missed out on Carl Hutchings. The 26-year-old, who would have been a versatile

  • Widow's wrong cheque misery

    A RECENTLY widowed Hollywood woman was left distraught after receiving a bereavement allowance of more than £1,000 which she was later told was a mistake. Angela Underwood, 55, of Paddocks Farm Estate, received the £1,043 cheque from the Prospect Hill

  • Hospital worker's revenge

    A car park supervisor at the Alexandra Hospital, Redditch, took cash from the machines because he was aggrieved at not being paid for all the hours he worked, Worcester Crown Court heard. Harry Owen worked from early morning until late at night, often

  • Top names at meeting

    A LARGE conference at Redditch Town Hall saw women meet together under the banner of "Education, Entrepreneurs and Empowerment" on Monday. The event, organised by Redditch All Women's House, saw groups and individuals from around the town link up with

  • Fireman feels heat of rivalry

    REDDITCH can proudly claim one of its firemen is a world-beater. Brian Hughes, 31, has just returned from the World Police and Firefighter Games in America where he trounced most of the competition, taking two silver medals and one bronze. It's the second

  • Week was pure gold

    THE Primrose Hospice and Cancer Help Centre has raised an impressive £12,500 from its Wear Yellow Week. Staff at the centre were overjoyed with the success of the effort, which saw many organisations in and around Redditch pulling out all the stops to

  • YMCA holds charity week

    THIS week is Bulgaria Week at Redditch's YMCA as it pulls out all the stops to help save a sister organisation in the Eastern Bloc. Funds at the YMCA in Plovdiv are so tight that its chief executive is in danger of losing his job. The news so touched

  • Kitting out hall is next on plan

    FIXTURES and fittings will be on the agenda at Studley Village Hall this Saturday as plans to launch a second lottery application for up to £30,000 are put in to action. The move comes after the village hall committee was victorious in gaining a £404,000

  • Shifnal break winning streak

    BROMSGROVE Second XI entered the fray on Saturday, aiming for maximum points to put further pressure on leaders Wellington, who are now within reach. Well-positioned Shifnal, however, had other ideas. Put in to bat on a dry bouncy home wicket, Bromsgrove

  • Town teamsheet for this weekend

    BROMSGROVE CC teams for this weekend. Saturday July 7. First XI v Wellington, home, meet 12pm: PC Duffy, J Campbell, N Davies, J Conner, J Vaughan-Davies, K Patel, S Keyte, J Duffy, N Ingram, N Husbands, M Evenson. Second XI v Wellington away, meet 12pm

  • A show to get their teeth into!

    THE Palace Youth Theatre promises a "shock 'n' roll" musical in the form of spooky show Dracula Spectacula. The family production is at the Palace Theatre tomorrow and runs until Saturday. Dracula Spectacula features a cast of more than 30 members aged

  • Shilton's son signs up

    KIDDERMINSTER Harriers have made Sam Shilton their second new summer signing. The 22-year old, son of former England goalkeeping legend Peter, has agreed a two-year deal with the club following his release by Hartlepool United. Shilton began his career

  • Burgess stars for England

    Kidderminster's Grant Burgess swept to his second successive win as England sank the Channel Islands 133-90 in Belfast last night in the Home International Bowls series. Hereford's 2000 World indoor singles champion Robert Weale is also involved in a

  • Pain game begins for Sixways stars

    WHEN Worcester Rugby Club's players read their programme for the beginning of their pre-season work, they could have been forgiven for thinking 'test week' would be a walk in the park. Think again! Peter Finch - the newly recruited fitness coach at Sixways

  • Relegated Barnet first up for Bulls

    HEREFORD United will play Barnet at Edgar Street in their opening fixture of the Nationwide Conference campaign, which kicks off on August 18. The Underhill club were dramatically relegated last season but will not relish a visit to the Bulls where they

  • Laffah a minute racing star

    TOP weight Laffah can show his liking of the track by landing the Monmouth Handicap at Chepstow tomorrow. Gary Moore's six-year-old gained an easy course and distance success at the Welsh course less than a year ago and takes a drop in grade following

  • Magic event was show-stopper

    Review Summer Magic Palace Theatre by Dee Sharp AFTER the success of our first stage show Musical Magic last year, several patrons who saw it encouraged us to put on another. The production was another resoundingly successful family variety show, enjoyed

  • Mid-table place

    BACK-to-back wins have finally lifted Wythall away from the foot of the Warwickshire Four Central league table. But they face a tough test if they are to continue their winning ways on Saturday - league leaders Handsworth provide the opposition at Silver

  • Wrecked

    FECKENHAM'S hopes of climbing into second place behind neighbours Astwood Bank in Worcestershire Two were wrecked as they suffered a seven-wicket defeat at lowly Belbroughton. Put into bat on a very soggy wicket, the Mill Lane side were skittled out for

  • Saturday fixtures

    (2pm start unless otherwise stated) BIRMINGHAM SENIOR LEAGUE DIVISION 2 WEST REDDITCH v Shifnal 1pm WORCESTERSHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE DIVISION TWO Barnards Green v ASTWOOD BANK Brockhampton v FECKENHAM DIVISION THREE Alveley v ALVECHURCH & HOPWOOD DIVISION

  • Health plans get airing

    PLANS to create a new health organisation in Redditch and Bromsgrove were unveiled at a public meeting on Thursday. The meeting formed part of a consultation period for proposals to form a Primary Care Trust (PCT), which were outlined in a presentation

  • Asians shy away from breast care

    ASIAN women in Redditch are not attending breast screening appointments or clinics, a recent health report has revealed. Redditch Primary Care Group reported the problem in an update on its health improvement programme for ethnic minority groups in the

  • Waseley chase sponsors in run-up to new season

    A BROMSGROVE Advertiser/Messenger District Football League team are appealing for a new sponsor for the 2001/2 season. Waseley United (formerly Sight & Sound SSC FC) have been playing in the league for the past four years and are made up from players

  • New footballers wanted

    HANBURY under-12s are looking for lads who want to play competitive football at a good standard on one of the best pitches in the Central Warwickshire Boys League. The lads train at Harris Brush on Thursday nights, starting on July 12 at 6pm. If you think

  • Mick is Taylor-made for winning Starlets contests

    NORTHFIELD angler Mick Taylor is continuing his good run in the Starlets Veterans contests. And on Tuesday, club secretary Mick took the top honours when they fished at Worcester's Howford Fishery' by pole fishing casters at Middle Pool Peer for 22-15

  • 7/9/00 - Senior players have helped

    EXPENCTANCY levels in and around Worcester Rugby Club are sky-high as I prepare for Saturday's big kick-off at Orrell. It is not something that worries me because I think if we do the basics well, we should win the league and gain promotion. I am not

  • Tristan crash fury

    REDDITCH superbikes boss Dave Worthington was left fuming after seeing young rider Tristan Palmer write off one of the team's two bikes -- 24 hours after another engine had blown. Promising youngster Palmer was set for a stormy meeting with his team manager

  • Tinsley suffers at bogey circuit

    IT was the same old story for Redditch superbiker Andy Tinsley at Thruxton at the weekend. Tinsley's impressive showing last time out after a miserable start to the season seems to have been a false dawn after settings problems again disrupted his performance

  • Pirates plunder late points to secure win

    Redditch Arrows almost pulled off one of the surprises of the season when they narrowly lost 26-12 to second-ranked East Kilbride Pirates. Going into the game as firm underdogs, Arrows shocked their visitors by taking an early lead, Pete Morgan rounding

  • League and cup joy for Alcester bowlers

    ALCESTER A were victorious in the first round of the Heart of England Senior Cup bowls competition last week at the expense of RSJC. The competition is based on a four home/four away basis and star for the night was Chris Hollins, whose 21-8 in the away

  • Hart secure bowls win

    THE White Hart Premier bowls team took on a Harborne Green Man side at home on a fast green. After the first four games the Hart were only seven shots up with skipper Dave Kings having one of the longest and strangest games seen at the Hart for many years

  • John Bushell's angling round-up

    Well here we are again with some more fishy tales to tell you. Most of the excess water that caused the poor start to the river season has now run off and the local streams are all at around normal summer levels. I hear the carp fishing at Arrow Valley

  • 4/7/01 - Relegated Barnet first up for Bulls

    HEREFORD United will play Barnet at Edgar Street in their opening fixture of the Nationwide Conference campaign, which kicks off on August 18. The Underhill club were dramatically relegated last season but will not relish a visit to the Bulls where they

  • Councillor attacks reckless parents

    PARENTS should take more responsibility for unruly youngsters, a Redditch County Councillor has claimed. Tom Wareing, who represents Crabbs Cross ward, hit out after receiving numerous complaints about children playing football in the streets. He said

  • Date for farewell

    ON Friday, July 13, former staff and governors will be bidding a fond goodbye to Arrowcrest First School in Lodge Park. "Farewell to Arrowcrest" will take place from 8-11pm at the school and will feature Sixties band "Cats Eyes" with bass guitarist Roy

  • Public view land plans

    FEEDBACK to plans which will see doomed Redditch Schools redeveloped has been "positive" according to a county education chief. Townspeople were able to see the plans at an exhibition at Redditch town hall on Friday. From September, certain school sites

  • Genoa, it could have been a great holiday

    I FIND it difficult to feel sorry for the young Hereford couple who mistook Italy for Spain. If you take a look at Ryanair's website you will see that they don't have any flights to Spain - they do, however, fly to Perpignan, which is just across the

  • Complains about the Press and journalists

    THE Rev D G Griffin complains about the Press and journalists (You Say, June 21). He should understand that we British always say and do whatever we wish. I remember he wrote sentimental essays on freedom of speech. Could it be that he feels that this

  • Dillusioned Tories

    READING some of the letters in the Evening News from disillusioned Tories and Independents, no one would guess that Labour had just won a stunning victory in the General Election. The term sour grapes springs to my mind. JOY TURNER, Worcester

  • St Peter's residents

    REGARDING your articles in the Evening News, I think most St Peter's residents would be strongly in favour of a community centre for the estate. There is no doubt it is desperately needed. I think the feeling would also be that five or six units of affordable

  • Lost telephone number - can anyone help?

    DUE to building work, my husband Derek Turner has lost the phone number of his old army pal Mick Farley (Farleigh) who lives in Worcester. They have not met for 33 years and were planning to meet up this summer. My husband has suffered ill health and

  • Traffic calming in Bilford Road

    Referring to your article by Guy Whitmore (Evening News, Tuesday, June 26) about traffic calming in Bilford Road, many of us cannot understand why the views of the residents of Dickinson Court were not taken into account. All the residents are disabled

  • Foxes in artificial earths

    IF J Wood is claiming that the use of artificial earths is for keeping foxes away from poultry farms and lambing fields, (You Say, June 22) then surely these foxes are not causing a problem. And how can he explain the feeding of foxes in these earths

  • Website

    I WAS utterly disgusted with the attitude and ignorance displayed by G Lewis (You Say, June 26). Janet Harvey quite rightly attended A&E, having suffered a spider bite. She probably delayed for five days in the vain hope that the effects of the extraordinary

  • I'm fed up with all this victim stuff

    I AM becoming more and more frustrated with people's "I'm a victim attitude". We are fast becoming in danger of becoming an American suburb where we sue each other for mental distress from a dirty look. I feel very sorry for Donna Hawker. I realise that

  • Vets triumph at Eton

    WITH over 100 athletes entered, Bromsgrove and Redditch Athletics Club were well represented at the British Veterans track and field championships at Eton on June 23 and 24. On the Saturday, Bronwen Cardy took two gold medals with wins in the over 45

  • Honours

    North Midlands Cup and North Midlands 'Sevens' Winners 1977-78; North Midlands Division 1 Champions 1989-90; North Midlands Cup Finalists 1990-91; Midlands Division 2 Championship 1992-93; North Midlands Cup Finalists 1993-94; Midlands Division 1 Champions

  • Officials

    Details to be prepared before start of 2001/2002 season.

  • Ace Newton clinches June medal

    THE latest Bromsgrove Golf Club results are as follows: Ladies June medal: Silver section: First Liz Newton, second Debbie Day, third Val Price. Bronze section: First Janet Foster, second Elenor Oxley, third Gill Vere. Other section: First Thelma Hawkes

  • Rutter chases sponsors for run

    A FORMER Bromsgrove schoolboy 800m specialist, turned rugby player, has dusted off his running shoes for charity. Matt Rutter, of Bromsgrove Rugby Club, gave up athletics for rugby at the tender age of 14. He went on to represent Hereford and Worcester

  • Six-cess for school

    SIX athletes from Parkside Middle qualified for the minor counties championships last month. The super six were year seven athlete Amy Pemberton (long jump) and year eight pupils Adam Richardson (hurdles), Adam Richards (100m), Richard Bridgewater (high

  • Gloucester gloom

    BROMSGROVE Tennis Club's men went down 4-2 at East Gloucester in their latest West Midland match in the National Club League National Division. In the women's section, Barnt Green thrashed Whitchurch 5-1 at home, while Droitwich Spa slumped to a 6-0 defeat

  • HISTORY'S COMING HOME

    HISTORY is to be brought to life for the people of Alcester after a grant of hundreds of thousands of pounds was secured to create a heritage centre. The Heritage Lottery Fund last week revealed its new Regional Committee for the West Midlands had awarded

  • Digging in

    Alcester allotment owners need to get their forks and spades working overtime as the town council allotments competition draws near. Next week, all the areas will be judged to see which ones are blooming marvellous and which one will be named the best-kept

  • Security plan is thrown out

    STRATFORD Council has turned down an application for the installation of security measures in an area of Alcester which had previously been labelled "a complete mess" by town councillors. Planning chiefs rejected proposals for 12 bollards to be placed

  • Youngsters' holiday with a difference

    FOOT and mouth failed to get in the way of an adventure for youngsters from Alcester Infant School when their trip away was cancelled. Staff decided to hold the trip in the Moorfield Road school and organised a huge range of activities, several of which

  • Child 'drivers' dice with death

    CHILDREN as young as eight are driving and messing about with dumper trucks and diggers around Redditch, police have warned. During the last few weeks, a dumper truck, two large cranes and a JCB digger have been taken and either driven, dumped or set

  • Man who bit officer jailed

    PART of Redditch town centre came to a standstill on Thursday as seven police officers arrested a man after he stole from a shop in the Kingfisher Centre. Scores of onlookers watched as officers grappled with the man at the top of Unicorn Hill as they

  • Year ban for motorist

    A Hunt End man has been banned from driving for 12 months and fined £150 by Redditch magistrates after admitting drink-driving. Liam Kert Godsil, 26, of Claverdon Close, had 54 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35

  • Mystery of teenager's behaviour

    A teenager who broke into a friend's house after a drinking session has been ordered to do 150 hours work for the community. Andrew Clarke, aged 19, of Wishaw Close, Redditch, who was convicted of burglary, was also ordered to pay £90 costs at Worcester

  • 100 years ago

    July 6, 1901 The following abridged description specially drawn for this journal by Messrs Hughes and Young, patent agents, 55 and 56, Chancery Lane, London, W.C. : Patent application 12,465, Mr Jesse Guise, jeweller, Redditch, an improved device for

  • 50 years ago

    July 7, 1951 PART of the woodwork in the roof was damaged when fire broke out at Wythall Police Station on Monday afternoon. It is believed that painters who were decorating the building and removing paint with a blow lamp inadvertently set fire to a

  • 25 years ago

    July 2, 1976 THE air cleared a little in Redditch Council chamber this week as councillors reached a hazy com- promise on the vexed cigarette controversy. Smokers and non-smokers have called on the expert services of Horace Shakels, the council chairman

  • Alcester Gardening Club

    ALCESTER'S annual Street Market on June 17 was a great success for the club, winning first prize for best stall. The Roman theme included a mural of Hadrian's Wall and one member dressed as a senator. All the plants were donated and almost all were sold

  • Hopwood WI

    THE June meeting was presided over by Ann Thurrell as president Sylvia Cartwright was attending a play rehearsal for Worcester's entry in the national competition. Speaker for the evening was to have beem a representative from the Animal Welfare charity

  • Studley Priory WI

    THE institute meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 8pm in the Parish Centre, Studley. This friendly group of ladies enjoys a variety of entertainment, craft workshops, talks and social gatherings with a dash of food and drink for good measure

  • Car stolen

    A BLUE Peugeot 309, registration H479 WYY, was stolen from a car park in Cowl Street, Evesham, overnight last Sunday. The car is valued at £1,500.

  • No reserves and no youth team

    BROMSGROVE Rovers will only run a first team next season after the administrators pulled the plug on the reserves and the youth set-up. Mayfields Insolvency Practitioners in Halesowen -- who still maintain a wall of silence despite repeated attempts by

  • What's on guide

    Thursday, July 5 Palace Youth Theatre, Palace Theatre, Redditch. Until July 7. Tickets from 65203. Adam Bloom, Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham. Tickets from 0121 440 3838. Big and Daft, Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham. Tickets from 0121 440 3838. Oddsocks

  • School fete goes down in history

    FUNDRAISING youngsters in Rednal will be creating a slice of history when they bury a time capsule as part of their summer fete and sports day. The annual diary date is the main fund-raising event for St James Infant and Junior School, in Leach Heath

  • Wannabes needed

    STAGE-STRUCK stars of the future are being urged to come forward and audition for a pantomime set to be held in Droitwich Spa. The Norbury Theatre, in Friar Street, is hosting family favourite Dick Whittington and needs budding thespians to try out for

  • Worcester date for town ace Davies

    BROMSGROVE Cricket Club's opening batsman Nick Davies is relishing the prospect of playing Worcestershire after hitting the winning runs in Herefordshire's giant-killing Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy triumph over Middlesex. The 27-year-old scored 39

  • Rubery set for marathon

    RUBERY is set to be awash with runners this Sunday when the village plays host to the annual half marathon. The challenging two-lap course -- mainly road with a small section of trail -- goes over the Lickey Hills, including the scenic countryside of

  • 'Croft nab first win of season

    IT was victory at last for Avoncroft Cricket Club's First XI as they overcame Tenbury by the narrow margins in Worcestershire County League Division Four. Avoncroft's first win of the season was hard fought as Tenbury made a spirited effort to overhaul

  • Spa girls need you

    A GIRLS football team in Droitwich need new recruits ahead of their first season in the Stourport League. Droitwich Spa Girls under-12s -- part of Droitwich Spa Boys FC -- need five players to join the side, who train at King George Playing Fiel-ds every

  • Form guys Prior march to glory

    STOKE Prior Bowling Club have been in top form over the past week. First, Prior's senior side went to the top of the Warwickshire and Worcestershire League on shots difference after beating nearest rivals Small Heath Amateur Gardeners by 35 shots at Westonhall

  • Kids' show filmed in town

    FILMING of a BBC children's programme took place at a skate park in Bromsgrove. Film crews shot scenes at Sanders Park, off Kidderminster Road, for an episode of Brum which is due to be shown this year. The series, set in Birmingham, features the adventures

  • Town's friendship visit

    FIND out more about a centre which works to achieve reconciliation and friendship between nations by visiting it on a trip, organised by Churches Together, in Bromsgrove. The Holocaust Centre, in Nottingham, boasts a talk, exhibition, library, gardens

  • JURY OUT IN MURDER TRIAL

    THE trial of the man accused of murder in Redditch town centre last year is reaching its climax. Omar Mohammed is charged with stabbing to death Liam Gall, 18. Judge Michael Mott has sent out the jury to deliberate its verdict. He told the jury members

  • Graduates start work for £16,800

    GRADUATES in Worcestershire lag behind their peers across the country when it comes to starting salaries. According to the latest Graduate Market Trends Salary and Vacancy Survey, published by the Higher Education Careers Services Unit (CSU), starting

  • Tortured pilot helping others

    A TORTURED Gulf War pilot whose plight shocked the nation when he was paraded battered and bruised on television is using his experience in a thriving stress management business. John Peters, who was beaten and starved under the orders of Iraqi leader