What, where, when and who... WATER The emergency number for the Worcester, Wyre Forest, Malvern, Pershore, Droitwich, Evesham and Bromsgrove, Hereford and Ledbury areas is 0800 783 4444. ELECTRICITY If your electricity goes off, look out of the window
A MAN and a woman were killed when their sports car ploughed into a barn wall. The couple - neither of whom were wearing seatbelts - were travelling on the A4104 just outside Upton-upon-Severn when their red Mazda RX7 crashed into the wall. Police named
THE revamped area around Worcester's Edgar Tower will be unveiled at a special ceremony this week. A plaque to mark the work on the 14th Century tower will be uncovered by Cecil Duckworth, from the Duckworth Worcestershire Trust. The re-paving project
MUSICIANS from all backgrounds and nationalities are being urged to come forward to take part in a new international music evening in Evesham. Evesham & Pershore Racial Equality Network is organising the festival for Monday, February 11. But it needs
A LIFE-saving scanner which can detect everything from cancer and tumours to inner ear problems has been safely delivered to Worcester's new hospital. The Magnetic Resonance Imaging scanner had to be unloaded by crane during a delicate operation at the
A NEW area manager has been appointed to head a 30-strong team at West Mercia Probation Service. Avril Gilmore will cover north Worcestershire, including Kidderminster, and will work with community safety partnerships, the local authority and police.
CONFESSIONS, personal apologies or even marriage proposals can now be staged in front of millions of viewers thanks to a new TV show desperate for Worcester contestants. BBC1's morning programme TV Mail wants people who fancy surprising friends, relatives
KEEPING pints flowing in Worcestershire's villages has been given new backing. The Campaign for the Protection of Rural England has teamed up with the Campaign for Real Ale to help struggling landlords keep rural pubs open for business. Rupert Segar,
FIXTURES Saturday, January 5. Premier Division: Malvern Town v Dudley Town (2.45). Division One (South): Bustleholme Reserves v Malvern Town Reserves (2.45). Saturday, January 12. Premier Division: Walsall Wood v Malvern Town (2.45). Evesham Hospital
WORCESTER coach John Brain paid tribute to his players after the 33-12 victory over Moseley which keeps them in the promotion race. Craig Chalmers, Chris Garrard, Alistair Murdoch, Nathan Carter and Jim Jenner ran in tries while Sateki Tuipulotu slotted
Saturday, December 29, 2001 BROMSGROVE Rovers kept their Midland Alliance title hopes on track with a well-deserved 3-1 win at Knypersley Victoria. Many of Rovers' 100-strong travelling support missed the first half because of major traffic chaos on the
Bromsgrove Rovers will be looking for their fourth win on a trot in the Midland Alliance when they entertain Stafford Town (3pm).
WORCESTER City's mini-revival continues tomorrow with new signing Adam Webster set to make his long-awaited debut against visitors Hednesford Town (3pm). John Barton's team are looking for their fourth win in five Dr Martens Premier Division matches and
REDDITCH United boss Rod Brown returns to his old stamping ground at Stourport Swifts in the Dr Martens Western Division tomorrow (3pm). Brown and assistant Gary Whild left Swifts for Reds six weeks ago, to be joined more recently by Brendan Hackett and
DROITWICH U-8s 20 Camp Hill U-8s 20. Spa's tries were scored by Tom Ryder (two), Andy Bishop and Josh Skinner. MoM was William Chambers for his excellent work in defence. Droitwich U-8s 20 Camp Hill U-8s 20. Oliver Price, Andy Bishop, Ryan Boon and Josh
HERE are the results from Sunday December 16 in the Bromsgrove Advertiser/Messenger District Football League. Division One: Bromsgrove Town 0 Meadow Park 1 (Phil Jackson). Mostyn Rangers 4 (Dave Cannon, Andy Pratt, Andy Burgess two) Alvechurch Darts 1
HANBURY U-13s 1 Sports Co A 5. A blistering start by Hanbury saw them take the lead through Mark Hayward. Careless mistakes then cost them two goals in two minutes and they were punished on the break in the search for a reply. MoM was Tom Shipman. AC
UNSURE where to go on New Year's Eve? Bromsgrove Rovers Supporters' Society might have the answer. Members are inviting revellers to attend their party at the Victoria Club, in Birmingham Road, from 7.30pm. Tickets are £5, including a buffet, and are
Thursday December 27 * Tribute: Killer Queen, Robin RnB club1, Merryhill. * Music: Tchaikovsky Gala, London Concert Orchestra, Symphony Hall, Broad Street, Birmingham, 7.30pm. * Tribute: Paul Leagan's Skiffle Group, The Fiddle and Bone, Birmingham, 8pm
SWIFTS old boy Lee Booth is assured of a hot reception on his return to his former stamping ground tomorrow. The Dr Martens Western leading scorer left Walshes Meadow to follow manager Rod Brown. And the absence of Booth has left Swifts with a striker
ROD Brown has hailed Craig 'Chopper' Harris a revelation after his gritty displays for United. Brown signed the hard-tackling midfielder from the now-defunct Bloxwich three weeks ago. "To be honest, Craig's name has been mentioned to me a few times in
ONE hundred staff at the town's Safeway store had to be evacuated and customers turned away after a fire broke out in the store's roof. Six engines from Bromsgrove and Redditch were called to the Buntsford Park Road store after an automatic fire alarm
THREE Bromsgrove men who broke into a woman's home and left her with a broken arm after a baseball bat attack, have been jailed for a total of 17 years. Charlotte Dyer was injured following a row with her ex-boyfriend, Robert Dickson, Worcester Crown
A "HEARTBROKEN" Bromsgrove couple getting married in the New Year have had cash put aside for their wedding stolen by "heartless" thieves during a burglary at their home. The Catshill couple, who are due to marry during the first week of January, also
A BROMSGROVE woman met her brother for the first time in 56 years last Saturday when he came to spend Christmas with her and her family. Jackie Barlow, 57, of Leach Heath Lane, in Rubery, was just one-year-old when the divorce of her parents separated
A FORMER North Bromsgrove High School teacher whose songs were described as "quite brilliant" has lost his 20-year battle with multiple sclerosis. Clifford T Ward, the singer-songwriter whose series of hits during the 1970s included Gaye, Up in the World
STAFF at a Rednal car company will say a sad goodbye in the New Year to the last ever MG Rover Mini of its kind to be produced, after they found a buyer for it before it was due to be crushed. The last Classic Mini Cooper Sport in the country was saved
A RUBERY councillor has this week welcomed thousands of pounds worth of work that is currently being carried out on an 'unsafe' pavement in the village. Cllr Peter McDonald was delighted that the £40,000 had been allocated by Worcestershire County Council
CONTROVERSIAL plans to relocate a Stoke Prior special school have been put on ice after councillors ruled there was a lack of space at the proposed site. It has been suggested Redgrove Special School, which is currently housed in two buildings in Bromsgrove
RESIDENTS in Bromsgrove are being urged to 'make the mulch' of Christmas by recycling their festive trees after the holiday. Yuletide revellers are being asked to spare a thought for the world's natural resources and put their party pines to further use
ONE man's vivid and fascinating account of life in north Bromsgrove between the 1870s and the Great War is highlighted in a book published this week. A Bromsgrove Carpenter's Tale is the written recollections of Arthur James, who was born in Norton, Bromsgrove
FORMER United midfielder Jamie McWilliams was set to rejoin RC Warwick this week after being released by Rod Brown. McWilliams was one of several players looked at by former Valley manager Nicky Cross in the close season but was unable to nail down a
BROMSGROVE-based David Clifford has won the Worcestershire round of the Britain's Favourite Plumber Awards. They are designed to recognise the best professional tradespeople and are organised by the Institute of Plumbing. Supported by firms in the industry
A NATIONAL watchdog has hit out at the Government over delays to replace kitchens at a Tardebigge prison, saying they need to cut through red tape and get on with it. The Board of Visitors at Hewell Grange open prison, near Bromsgrove, published its report
August 18 Shepshed (h) 2-0 Booth 2 21 RC Warwick (a) 1-0 (og) 25 Clevedon (a) 0-2 27 Evesham (h) 2-3 (og), Cowley September 1 Rugby Utd (h) (FA Cup preliminary round) 5-1 Marsh 2, Charlton, Booth 2 8 Gresley (h) 2-0 Booth 2 11 Redditch (a) 2-1 Langford
MEMBERS of all political parties have welcomed a proposed budget which will see the average council tax bill of Bromsgrove and Droitwich Spa's householders rise by more than £50. The move by Worcestershire County Council's Conservative group, which has
NEW signing Brendan Hackett says he made the right choice to turn down the manager's job at Stourport. The former Swifts player-coach was offered the post after Rod Brown joined Redditch but opted to follow his manager to the Valley as a player. "I was
All the news on this site is supplied by the award-winning Journal Series reporting team. Contacting us couldn't be easier... If you want to tell our news editor, Andrew Flaxman, about a story he can be reached on 01386 765678, by fax on 01386 47557 or
AS a long-servicing former school governor, myself and others were exasperated at penny-pinching successive Conservative Worcestershire County Councillors who put Worcestershire deliberately at the bottom of the pile for financial payment per pupil. One
WHY are people still so ignorant to wheelchair users? Assisting a disabled lady with her Christmas shopping last week, I was disgusted to still see people acting in such a rude and impatient manner. Doors were left to close in our faces, bags and bodies
HAVING been fortunate enough to visit Worcester, Massachusetts, twice with Worcester Cathedral Choir, I always try to read the weekly report Across the Pond. I was very pleased therefore to read the name of Edla Ann Bloom as being the director of a major
I READ with interest your article (Evening News, Wednesday, December 19) concerning the county council's plans to offer "quality alternatives" to cars in Worcester. While improved public transport and provision for cyclists is a laudable aim in itself
I AM beginning to think that Maurice Brett has really lost the plot with his latest letter to the Evening News (You Say, December 14). Claiming vets are ignorant about foxes is more than a little over the top. What formal qualifications has Mr Brett got
Saturday, December 29, 2001 CRAIG Chalmers once again showed his immense worth to Worcester Rugby Club as he led them to a 33-12 win over Moseley. The Scot, who has struggled all season to overcome injury problems, managed Worcester's game-plan with the
DROITWICH Dolphins ended the competitive year in excellent form when they won the third and final round of the prestigious Speedo League. Team work paid off as Spa were first or second in all but one of the relay events in front of an appreciative home
DEAR EDITOR - The time has come for the people of Droitwich to face up to what is happening in the town and the consequence of a concerted campaign to contest just about everything that is being proposed to enhance the commercial and life quality of Droitwich
DEAR EDITOR - I do not agree with the suggestion to extend Bromsgrove's car parking charges to 9pm, and include Sundays. We already pay a higher fee than most other areas with very little recompense. There is no security, and if we spend a little longer
DEAR EDITOR - May I remind the people of Bromsgrove that we do have a proper band in the area. I am the conductor of Blackwell Wind Band and although we are small in membership (some 12 to 15 players) we are very active in and around Bromsgrove with eight
DEAR EDITOR - I wish to express our thanks to the pupils of Droitwich High School's year nine, and staff, for the memorable event aranged for older people last week. Everything was superbly organised and presented. The Age Concern clients and residents
DEAR EDITOR - May I through your paper thank the Bromsgrove Young Farmers for their charity work. I attended the AGM of the county Young Farmers and it made me realise how hard these young people work to raise money for charity. They have had a difficult
THE clouds at the Valley lifted and the Redditch faithful were given a glimmer of hope as Rod Brown's new-look striker force linked up to give United three points. The hosts dug-in and battled for the win but it was the Booth-Danks axis which secured
A HARD-WORKING athletics official has won a prestigious national honour. Irene Nicholls scooped the title of administrator of the year in the Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year Awards. The Bromsgrove and Redditch Athletic Club committee member has been
WORLD number seven Peter Ebdon was one of the players who attended the annual meeting of snooker's governing body in Bromsgrove. World Snooker staged its AGM at Bromsgrove Hilton Hotel, in Birmingham Road, Marlbrook, on Monday December 17.
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers are likely to call up Mark Shail or Lee Ayres in place of the injured Abdou Sall for tomorrow's Nationwide League Division Three clash against Mansfield Town at Field Mill (3pm). Central defender Sall limped off with a groin strain
AS an examination of the intensity of true love, The Real Thing, by Tom Stoppard, seemed a little low on passion. Despite a fine cast at the Malvern Theatre, headed by Neil Pearson - he of Drop the Dead Donkey fame - tensions never truly smouldered, leaving
FIVE swans were plucked from a diesel spillage after a British Waterways boat sank in the River Severn. The birds were caught on the river near the city's Cathedral. British Waterways alerted the Environment Agency, which called on Jan Harrigan of the
AN intrepid Droitwich teenager is jetting off to Nepal for a 2002 challenge of a lifetime. Ruth Carley will kick off her globetrotting this Thursday, January 3. She is travelling to the mountainous country to teach English as a foreign language. The 18
ARTS groups in Worcester have been given a boost of nearly £250,000 after receiving grants from West Midlands Arts. The Swan Theatre, which received £179,262, is one of three city-based organisations to receive funding. Worcester Arts Workshop received
EVERYTHING in the garden will soon be rosy for a children's hospice when it receives a £500 boost from Worcester Floral Arrangement Society. The money was raised for Acorns Children's Hospice Trust after Andrew Grisewood, a national flower demonstrator
AMBULANCE bosses have accused NHS Direct of increasing their workload by referring too many calls to them. They claim the organisation, which was set up to cut the number of 999 calls to the ambulance service, is not filtering out calls efficiently. Hereford
FIXTURES MIDLANDS ONE Sunday, December 30. North Midlands Cup second Round: Malvern v Luctonians - postponed. Saturday, January 5. Malvern v Longton. Saturday, January 12. Kenilworth v Malvern. Saturday, January 26. Malvern v Camp Hill. Saturday, February
AN investigation into safety procedures at a Hereford DIY store is underway after a man shot the flat end of a nail into his thumb with a compressed air gun. Martin Burgess, of Westfield Street, Hereford, was shopping at B&Q in Holmer Road when he
THE sight of a red-breasted robin perched in the garden will be rarer in Worcestershire this winter, the British Trust for Ornithology warns. Latest results from the Constant Efforts Sites Scheme (CES) suggest robins and other resident birds have suffered
A HEALTH warning has been issued after a range of tinned hotdogs were withdrawn from sale after fears of poisoning. People are also being urged not to open the tins after warnings they could explode causing injury. The tins of Dulano Hot Dog Sausages
CHAMPION fund-raiser Dorothy Ludlow has been honoured for all her charity work by being made an MBE - and says it hasn't sunk in yet. The 65-year-old has worked tirelessly for more than two decades, holding mega-sales to raise money for a unit treating
A GRANDMOTHER has been recognised in the Queen's New Year's Honours list for her work with mental health. Pauline Arksey, from Norton, near Worcester, was given an MBE for her 20 years of work with the National Schizophrenia Fellowship. Mrs Arksey, aged
Local people of distinction are recognised at the start of 2002 for their work in years past on behalf of us all. Police medal for head of murder hunt A SENIOR detective who helped lead the hunt for serial killer Philip Smith has been awarded the Queen's
AS the clock ticks towards the midnight hour today, we're sure readers will reflect on the private joys - and difficulties - of the past 12 months. Yet it would be almost impossible not to pause and think, as well, of the terrible events of September
WORCESTER City's mini-revival continues tomorrow with new signing Adam Webster set to make his long-awaited debut against visitors Hednesford Town (3pm). John Barton's team are looking for their fourth win in five Dr Martens Premier Division matches and
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers are likely to call up Mark Shail or Lee Ayres in place of the injured Abdou Sall for tomorrow's Nationwide League Division Three clash against Mansfield Town at Field Mill (3pm). Central defender Sall limped off with a groin strain
HEREFORD United face Telford United for the second time in a week tomorrow at Edgar Street (1pm) as they bid to complete a hat-trick of wins after a 3-0 victory over Stalybridge Celtic at the weekend. Phil Robinson's team pulled off a shock 1-0 Boxing
CRAIG Chalmers once again showed his immense worth to Worcester Rugby Club as he led them to a 33-12 win over Moseley. The Scot, who has struggled all season to overcome injury problems, managed Worcester's game-plan with the minimum amount of fuss as
WORCESTER coach John Brain paid tribute to his players after the 33-12 victory over Moseley which keeps them in the promotion race. Craig Chalmers, Chris Garrard, Alistair Murdoch, Nathan Carter and Jim Jenner ran in tries while Sateki Tuipulotu slotted
LUCTONIANS continued their phenomenal season as they progressed into the sixth round of the Intermediate Cup with a 29-17 win over Kenilworth at Mortimer Park. Lucs quickly made the visitors welcome by conceding two kickable penalties and Kenilworth fly
STEWART Hadley stooped to conquer with a diving header deep in stoppage time to complete a fighting comeback by Worcester City against Dr Mart-ens Premier Division title-chasers Weymouth. It was perhaps fitting that the loan striker from Kidderminster
DEAR EDITOR - Having read several letters in your paper with regard to local policing levels I feel that its important that local people know the facts about the service West Mercia Constabulary provides. Firstly, Bromsgrove Police Station has not closed
A FORMER Bromsgrove School student made friends and family proud when he graced the stage of a West End theatre. Nineteen-year-old Adam Roberts starred in Sunday Night Live at the London Palladium, in a solo performance of a song from the theatre-land
PUPILS at Broadway First School took a long, hard look at themselves before embarking on their latest art project. All 88 children in the school painted self-portraits of themselves, which were then framed and displayed in a special exhibition where parents
UNITED chief Rod Laight is still waiting on a verdict from the Worcestershire County FA about the disputed Senior Cup defeat to Solihull. Borough fielded a player not listed on the team sheet but the County FA have yet to decide their fate. And the Redditch
EVESHAM United midfielder Andy Hodgetts has turned down a move to the Valley because he wants to play up front. After bringing in Lee Booth to partner Paul Danks, Reds manager Rod Brown had earmarked the out-of-favour Hodgetts for a role as an attacking
A MAN out drinking with his girlfriend in a Bromsgrove pub has had plastic surgery to his face after being beaten up in a "vicious attack." Police have now appealed for witnesses following the attack at 6.30pm on Sunday, December 16, outside Altered Images
Rod Brown is set to talk to Stourport Swifts hitman Lee Booth tonight and is hoping to team him up with Paul Danks on Boxing Day. "We are very hopeful of getting Lee," he said. "If he comes in it will be a terrific signing for us and will take some of
JANUARY 2001 CHAMPAGNE corks popped at Jim Page's home in New Road, Bromsgrove, when news broke that he had been awarded an MBE in the New Year's Honours List. Mr Page has been chairman of the Bromsgrove-based Housman Society for 14 years and had founded
SPECULATION is mounting Redditch manager Rod Brown is set to swoop for Swifts goal machine Lee Booth. After signing Stourport player-coach Brendan Hackett, Brown had to wait 28 days before he could lodge another seven day approach with his former club
REDDITCH manager Rod Brown has apologised to United fans after their side's drastic 6-0 capitulation to Clevedon on Saturday and made an about turn by signing Halesowen hitman Alfie Carter. Reds number two Gary Whild last week told the Advertiser they
A BLEAK New Year has been forecast for elderly folk in Bromsgrove and Droitwich Spa who need long-term nursing care - a national nursing home association has claimed. The Registered Nursing Home Association (RNHA) has claimed if Worcestershire County
TWO youngsters from Bromsgrove are among the winners of a diary competition in which pupils from nine county schools took part. Sophie Lovick and Alenka Butkovicova, both from Aston Fields Middle School, in Drummond Road, were among 500 children who entered
BROMSGROVE police are appealing for information after a white lorry was in collision with a coach and then failed to stop. The incident happened outside the Mount School, at the junction with the A38, when, it appears, the white flat-bed lorry, similar
TWO Rubery teachers who have spent most of their working lives teaching in Worcestershire have been rewarded for their dedication. Cynthia Beckett and Ian Dent, both from Holywell Primary School and Nursery, in Gunner Lane, travelled to Worcester's County
WASTE-WATCHERS in two Bro-msgrove streets found it was easier than they thought when they were asked to slash their trash to help the environment. Eco-friendly residents in Perryfields Road and Perryfields Crescent, reduced their rubbish by almost half
IT looks set to be a bright start to the New Year for one disabled Bromsgrove youngster whose five-year education battle has finally come to an end - with a long-awaited victory. Karis Lane and her mum, Karen, have been battling with Worcestershire County
MAURICE Brett and Suzanne Campbell (You Say, December 14 and 15) make a quite extraordinary attack on the veterinary profession, because, in the majority, they support the continuation of hunting with hounds. The suggestion that vets support hunting merely
FATHER and son Chris and Phillip Harris nearly pulled off a fantastic draw for Droitwich B at West Midland Phones B in the latest round of matches in the Bromsgrove and Redditch Table Tennis League. They were the only players the Spa team could muster
A NEW race venue left several Bromsgrove Olympique Cycling Club riders wishing they had stayed in bed. The course at Mancetter, near Atherstone, was based on a quarry and featured a steep hill and no technical sections to relieve the suffering. The first
DEAR EDITOR - Through the Advertiser/Messenger I would like to highlight an issue that is causing concern regarding car parking near a local first school in Bromsgrove. I have, along with many others, used the Sugarbrook public house car park whilst briefly
DEAR EDITOR - I wish to comment on the report on the concerns expressed at the Lickey and Blackwell parish council on the subject of fly posting. This problem is one which should be considered as having a big impact on our environment and should be the
DEAR EDITOR - About two years ago the ground either side of a path that leads to the River Salwarpe from Chapel Bridge, in Droitwich, was planted with small shrubs. A few weeks ago, after they had grown into nice bushy plants - each about three feet high
DEAR EDITOR - The organisers of the North Worcestershire Bikeathon are very pleased to announce that the sum of £18,500 has so far been raised from this year's event. Prizewinners will be notified as soon as possible and anyone who has yet to pay in their
UNITED were cruelly punished as the league leaders showed their class with a late show at the Valley. Redditch showed their new grittier nature by digging in against their illustrious visitors and even having the impudence to take a shock lead after the
Redditch United 0 Solihull Borough 3 REDDITCH had it all to do after a dreadful start saw them two goals down after five minutes. Hitman Chris Smith set United on their way after 60 seconds and Cooper piled on the misery four minutes later. The hosts
Redditch United 1 Moor Green 3 POOR Neil Olden. Without making any glaring errors the goalkeeper, signed after former club Bloxwich United went bust, has let in ten goals in his first two games. Out of the frying pan... Though manager Rod Brown would
YOUNG Tobie Merricks will be jetting to Canada in February to represent England at the world junior ice hockey championships. The Belbroughton 13-year-old will be playing in front of crowds of up to 18,000 during the two-week event in Quebec. Tobie has
THREE lucky clubs have received a welcome New Year boost from the latest Lottery awards after bagging nearly £6,000 between them. The three groups, Bromsgrove Referees' Association, Barnt Green Sailing Club and Cofton Hackett Table Tennis Club, were among
A SWINGING soul band is hoping to receive a warm welcome when they return to Bromsgrove for a fundraising bash. The Official Receivers will be playing at the DDS and S Club for one night to raise much-needed cash for the Primrose Hospice and Cancer Help
ROVERS returned to winning ways in front of a low crowd at the Victoria Ground last Wednesday night. Bromsgrove Rovers (2) 3 Quorn (0) 1 Midland Football Alliance With Steve Taylor back in a green and white shirt, the home team took an early lead on five
Saturday, December 29, 2001 STEWART Hadley stooped to conquer with a diving header deep in stoppage time to complete a fighting comeback by Worcester City against Dr Mart-ens Premier Division title-chasers Weymouth. It was perhaps fitting that the loan
Saturday, December 29, 2001 JAN Molby rated Kidderminster Harriers' 3-0 Nationwide League Division Three win over promotion-chasing Hull City at Aggborough on Saturday as probably the best since he took over as manager two-and-a-half years ago. Ninth-in-the-table
