Archive

  • A golden chance to meet pop stars

    A ONCE-in-a-lifetime opportunity is just around the corner for 15 lucky people who will soon be rubbing shoulders with the stars. Wyvern FM is offering a golden gateway to meet some of the hottest pop acts around. Fifteen lucky people could find themselves

  • Long wait over for Fasha

    HISTORY did not repeat itself when two former Worcester Royal Grammar School pupils travelled from around the world to re-enact a 100m dash. Fasha Mahjoor challenged his old rival Dave Price to a 100m dash exactly 31 years to the day they first ran the

  • Drunk vagrant in 'bomb' incident

    A DRUNKEN vagrant threw a Cornish pasty at staff in a Worcester solicitors, telling them it was a bomb. James Garden threw the food in Lumsdon Grindley solicitors in Foregate Street on Monday of this week after they refused to let him use the toilet,

  • 15/5/02 - Skipper Jones leaves Sixways

    WORCESTER Rugby Club will have a new captain next season after the release of Kingsley Jones. The 31-year-old has been told he has no future at the club by director of rugby John Brain and will now return to his native Wales. Jones, who came to Sixways

  • Villagers on their marks for fun run

    HUNDREDS of runners are expected to join in the 4th annual Warndon Parish Council Fun Run. This year the run has been named the Jubilee Fun Run in recognition of the Queen's 50-year celebrations, and will be run just after the nation's celebrations, this

  • Better signage call to welcome visitors

    SIGNAGE denoting where different sections of Warndon Villages are situated could be welcoming visitors and residents alike. At the meeting of Warndon Parish Council it was agreed that signage in the parish "needs to be improved". "We call ourselves Warndon

  • My tears for stolen birds

    A DEVASTATED woman has spoken of how she "cried her heart out" after thieves stole her pet birds for a second time. Trudy Stirzaker said one of the stolen birds was called Orville - the son of her cockerel Percival, who was stolen in June last year. The

  • Guildhall's cells open to public

    PEOPLE are flocking to the prison cells in Worcester's Guildhall - but, unlike some of their ancestors, they can choose when they leave. The historic building's dungeon was formally opened to the public yesterday at the request of the city's then Mayor

  • Skateboard park given thumbs-up

    MORE than 300 youngsters are helping shape proposals for a new skateboarding park in the Faithful City. Youngsters, who have completed questionnaires, so far have unanimously opted for a concrete skateboarding park in Perdiswell. Safety, travel and skateboard

  • Casting votes in by-election

    THE Dodderhill ward by-election takes place tomorrow, following the death of Coun Charles Richardson in March. The 78-year-old Conservative councillor, who died after a three-year battle against cancer, was a member of Dodderhill Parish Council for 43

  • Malvern RFC - Fixtures/Results - 2001/2 season

    RESULTS MIDLANDS ONE 8/9/01: Dunstablians 41, Malvern 7. 15/9/01 (NPI Intermediate Cup) Malvern v Old Halesonians - Malvern walkover. 22/9/01: Malvern 19, Hereford 20. 29/9/01: Leicester Lions 18, Malvern 13. 6/10/01: Malvern 21, Luctonians 5. 13/10/01

  • Let's stop nuisance beggars

    BUSKERS-turned-beggars could find themselves out of tune with the public. Worcester people who want to be able to walk through the city centre without being pestered will be cheered to know that a campaign has begun to bring about a change in the law

  • Woman's drive ends with ban

    A MALVERN woman was caught drink-driving while picking up her boyfriend after a night out. Katherine Higgins was pulled over by police in Lower Wick after they saw her car swerve near a roundabout, Worcester Magistrates Court heard. Abi Nixon, prosecuting

  • Addict downed heroin to evade police

    A HEROIN addict swallowed £110 of the drug in an attempt to evade police who were searching a premises. Gregory Chappell quickly swallowed 10 or 11 wraps of the drug when police started to search where he was staying, Worcester Magistrates Court heard

  • Former WRGS boy first chaplain at Tech

    FORMER Worcester Royal Grammar School boy, the Rev Paul Swann, has been licensed by the Bishop of Dudley. He has returned to his home town to become the first chaplain of Worcester College of Technology. Mr Swann, who was formerly vicar of Old Hill, in

  • Council object to proposed alterations

    PROPOSED alterations to an approved plan for Powick Hill Court, formerly Home Farm, Hospital Lane, Powick, have raised objections from Powick Parish Council. The addition of two ground floor windows on the western side of the building would affect the

  • 50 years ago

    May 17, 1952 Twenty-one-year-old John Warner a craftsman of the R.E.M.E and the only son of Mr and Mrs W Warner of 15 Foster Avenue, Studley, has been mentioned in despatches for his outstanding and courageous work in Korea whilst attached to the Gloucestershire

  • 15/5/02 - County in cautious start

    Worcestershire made a cautious start after winning the toss and electing to bat in their Frizzell County Championship clash with Essex at New Road today. Stephen Peters and Anurag Singh launched the innings against the pace threat of Ashley Cowan and

  • Dream comes true for Kelly

    A BROMSGROVE dancer has achieved her lifelong ambition to win a prestigious scholarship at a dance school in London. Eighteen-year-old Kelly Haidarovic, of Cirencester Close, discovered she had won the scholarship a couple of weeks ago after a gruelling

  • Artwork goes on show

    A BROMSGROVE artist is displaying a colourful selection of artwork at the town library over the coming weeks. Twenty seven-year-old Jonathan Holmes (above) was asked to return to Bromsgrove Library, in Stratford Road, after his successful exhibition last

  • Rovers make it a double celebration

    ROVERS' promotion to the Dr Martens Western completes a proud double for sport in the town. This season has seen both the town's football club and rugby club achieve promotion. Bromsgrove Rugby Club started it all off by winning the Midlands Two West

  • Town golfers lose again

    BROMSGROVE Golf Club's 17-24 Handicap team were deprived of their first league win as they lost on Saturday. Playing at home against Cocks Moors Woods, Bromsgrove recorded an aggregate Stableford score of 217 points, five points less than the visitors

  • Famous show

    TOWN residents will experience a taste of the Orient this month when the Bromsgrove Operatic Society put on their rendition of Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado. The show, at Spadesbourne Hall, in Burcot Lane, opened on Monday night and runs until this

  • National draughts win

    BROMSROVE Draughts player Tony Boyle managed one draw in four games while representing England against the Czech Republic in Cambridge. England eventually beat the Czechs at their game as well as ours as the Czech Republic play a different version of

  • What's on guide

    Thursday, May 16 Celtic/Folk:Tom Martin Band, The Fiddle & Bone, Sheepcote Street, Birmingham, 9pm Film: K-Pax, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, 8.45pm Blues: Joanne Shaw Taylor Band, The Robin, R n B Club 1, Brierley Hill, Merry Hill. Music: The Tamla

  • Mother is being punished

    WITH reference to your front page story telling of the mother and her delinquent daughter (Advertiser, May 8), my wife and I are acquainted with this family and we fully endorse her condemnation of social services and the treatment she has received from

  • Make sure it is your choice

    JUST as the accident-prone Stephen Byers gets embroiled in another high-profile Parliamentary storm, his White Paper proposing regional government slips out. Entitled "Your Region, Your Choice...", it proposes elected regional assemblies, followed by

  • I can't join the NHS bashers

    I WAS very interested to read the article "Staff at Alex are perfect" (Advertiser, April 24). Having recently spent two weeks in Ward 18, I agree with comments made by Mary L Nolan. All the medical staff I came in contact with were very professional and

  • Letter from Westminster

    THIS week I will be meeting headteachers from across the town to listen to their views on the changes that are taking place in education nationally, how the new schools set-up in Redditch is bedding down and any other local matters. Schools in Redditch

  • SPORT

    Angling Catfish Conservation Group: Ron Griffiths (Northern Region), 22 Cooper Close, The Heathlands, Bromsgrove (01527 835534). County Youth Sailing Centre Angling Section: The Secretary, County Youth Sailing Centre, Upton Warren, Bromsgrove (01527 861426

  • Stadium on track

    THE firm set to create a £40 million sports, leisure and entertainment complex on the site of Abbey Stadium has been announced, writes Becky Procter. Redditch Council has revealed new partners Atlantic Property Developments will now deliver the project

  • Family festival fun day

    ADVICE and entertainment will be laid on for visitors to Batchley Family Festival today. The event, organised by the county council's Early Years and Childcare Services, will take place at Batchley First School's main hall from 1.30-6.30pm. Entertainment

  • Main road to be shut

    A BUSY stretch of road in Redditch town centre is to be closed off to allow more than £100,000 worth of resurfacing work and traffic calming measures to be installed, writes Becky Procter. Work along a small stretch of Bromsgrove Road from the bottom

  • Let her go, says council

    A couple who were told the only way they could get help for their daughter was to make her homeless when she was 16 are to take their plight to an independent watchdog, writes Becky Procter. The couple, who cannot be named for legal reasons, battled for

  • Jill's new job

    Jill Dyer MBE has been appointed portfolio holder for housing following a shake-up in the Tory cabinet on Bromsgrove Council. Mrs Dyer has spent nearly 20 years as a Wythall parish councillor and three years as a Bromsgrove district councillor.

  • Chance to chat and sip

    A COFFEE morning with a difference has been launched in Batchley. Coffee in Confidence offers a chance to meet neighbours and friends. But it also provides free one-to-one support and advice with a Relate counsellor who can give advice on a range of concerns

  • Waters booked

    THE Birmingham Anglers' Association has booked the following waters for this week. Saturday, May 18 Fazeley Canal - all. Birmingham/Worcester Canal - Br 19 to 21; 35 to 36; 40 to 41; 42 to 43. Staffordshire/Worcester Canal - Br 25 to 27; 28 to 29; 37

  • Third time lucky for Spa

    DROITWICH Spa CC First XI kick-started their Worcestershire County League division one season on Saturday with their first victory of the campaign. In their third match of the season, Spa defeated newly promoted Romsley and Hunnington at St Peter's Field

  • Top of the pile

    BROMSGROVE Town Boys U13s have been crowned champions of the Central Warwickshire Leagues premier division - the highest league in the competition. The team secured the title by getting the four points they needed from their last three games. Town's manager

  • Frost brothers keep it in the family

    TRIPLETS, who all play in the same Bromsgrove football team have helped their club win the league championship. Matthew, Alex and Jonathon Frost (pictured right), all aged 12, turn out for Bromsgrove Corinthians U12s on Sundays and this season the side

  • Bankrupt stock sale leaves traders fuming

    ANGRY shopkeepers still reeling from the affects of flooding and foot and mouth have slammed Upton Town Council for allowing the Memorial Hall to be hired by a bankrupt stock dealer. Pudsey-based liquidation firm David Warren Ltd sold clothes, jewellery

  • 12/5/02 - Malvern win cup in style

    MALVERN went to Stourbridge knowing that Aston Old Edwardians would be trying to take their moment of glory with both teams making first appearances in the North Midlands Cup final. MALVERN 47pts, ASTON OLD EDWARDIANS 8pts With two leagues between the

  • Jubilee revels in park take shape

    PLANS for Malvern's Golden Jubilee celebrations are nearing completion. The town council's Jubilee working party has been meeting regularly in preparation for the Victoria Park extravaganza on June 4. Apart from organisational details such as marquees

  • County in cautious start

    Worcestershire made a cautious start after winning the toss and electing to bat in their Frizzell County Championship clash with Essex at New Road today. Stephen Peters and Anurag Singh launched the innings against the pace threat of Ashley Cowan and

  • Warriors prove too sharp for the Saints

    KINGSTON WARRIORS 52 WORCESTERSHIRE SAINTS 16 FOR the second game in succession Worcestershire Saints conceded 50 points but can look back at an encouraging performance from a side, which contained four 18-year-old players all of whom were making their

  • Bid to curb Jubilee apathy

    A BENGEWORTH trader is so upset about Jubilee apathy in Evesham that she is appealing to townsfolk to drum up enthusiasm. Susan Earnshaw of the Glassroom gift shop is appealing to fellow traders and community minded townsfolk to attend a meeting at the

  • Double celebration

    BROMSGROVE Rovers' promotion to the Dr Martens Western completes a proud double for sport in the town. This season has seen both the town's football club and rugby club achieve promotion. Bromsgrove Rugby Club started it all off by winning the Midlands

  • Woofers reunion

    THE annual reunion of The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment will be held on Saturday, June 1, at Worcester Rugby Club from 12.30pm to 6pm. For the first time, it will include a Drumhead Service, using as an altar the silver drums presented

  • New play takes stock

    A WARM and witty new play starts a four-week run at Birmingham Repertory Theatre this week. Getting to the Foot of the Mountain, by Lisa Evans, is being staged at The Door until June 18. When Danielle was a child, three women loomed large in her life

  • What's On Guide

    Thursday, May 16 Mission Blue: The Tamla Motown Experience, Palace Theatre. Tickets from 65203. Getting to the Foot of the Mountain, The Door, Birmingham Repertory Theatre. Until June 18. Tickets from 0121 236 4455. Antiques For everyone, Birmingham NEC

  • Get going for a song

    THE best of the West End musicals is set to hit the Palace Theatre on Saturday, writes Melina Cannon. The Wonderful West End features hit songs from current musicals performed by an all-star cast of principal artistes from some of the top London shows

  • A tender toe-tapper

    A BALLET which tells the rags to riches tale of a Salford shoemaker will be performed at Birmingham Hippodrome. Birmingham Royal Ballet presents Hobson's Choice from Wednesday, May 22 until Saturday, May 25. David Bintley's ballet is hailed as a perfect

  • What party peace?

    WYTHALL Theatre Company presents fast-paced comedy Party Piece at the Palace Theatre next week. The stage will be transformed into two feuding neighbours' back gardens and the scene is set on the night of Michael and Roma's fancy dress house-warming party

  • Spellbinding!

    THE first major revival of hit musical Godspell in more than 30 years kicks off at Birmingham Hippodrome this month. Neighbours star Daniel MacPherson, who played Joel in the Aussie soap, and rising British star Jonathan Wilkes, who recently sang Me and

  • Studley steamroller Solihull

    STUDLEY CC skipper Mark Lewis said no-one was getting carried away after a ten wicket win over what he described as a poor Solihull Municipal side. Aussie Brandon Miller did his bit with four for 35 as the newly-promoted league newcomers were bowled out

  • Andy's 8 for Millers

    FECKENHAM captain Andy Fletcher included an eight in his 33 total as his Worcester Two side recorded a winning draw at the weekend. Fletcher had run four but with a run-out beckoning an overthrow hit the Worcester Nomads bowler's foot and sailed over

  • Batting slump

    ALVECHURCH captain Nick Jones was again left bemoaning a batting disintegration after the curse which afflicted them last season surfaced again. Jones was unavailable as his side stumbled to 129-9 to register a losing draw after Highley had posted 201

  • Whitehead's one man show

    NEW boy Dave Whitehead made an impact for Cookhill on Saturday as Paul Williams' side skittled out Hallow for 24 runs. The former Lye left armer, who dropped four divisions to join the Nevill Arms side, filled his boots with five for six off eight overs

  • Bowlers are to blame

    ALCESTER'S Mark Fawthrop pointed the finger squarely at the bowlers after the Ragley Park side suffered a one-sided eight wicket defeat to Tanworth-in-Arden. After batting first, Alcester posted a respectable 217-5 target but could take only two wickets

  • Kylie Minogue NEC Arena

    Five star WITHOUT doubt this amazing, breathtaking concert laid on by the Aussie pop princess deserves more than a mere five stars. People fancy her, want to be her or simply idolise her and a sell-out show at the NEC is testament to that. The audience

  • Alne on top

    GREAT Alne sit atop Division Five of the Costwold Hills league after two wins from their opening games. Craig Millard's side fortunately failed to emulate their captain's example and amassed 178-9 after their leader was out for a duck in the first over

  • Enterprise - Fight or Flight/Strange New World

    Three star THIS is the second video release from the debut season of the fifth and latest Star Trek franchise - you know, the one set before Captain Kirk! As such, you get the feeling the actors are still getting into their characters, rather like wearing

  • Alice (four star) Blood Money (four star) Tom Waits

    For some reason Tom Waits has decided to simultaneously release two albums of material which he wrote a while back. Alice contains the music for a 1994 stage show about Lewis Carroll while Blood Money features songs from Woyzeck, another production about

  • Naked Killer (18)

    No stars NEVER has the blurb about a film told so many lies in so few words. Naked Killer claims to be 'a supercharged erotic action-adventure' and a 'pulp classic' which is both 'infamous and unparalleled'. LIES. When this film was first released in

  • 13/5/02 - Divisional leaders win to stay at front

    KINGFISHERS, Marauders and Redundants all won to maintain their leads in the three Monday divisions of the E & E Engineering/Banks's Brewery Worcester Friendly Skittle League. Division One Hillbillies 394 (15) D.Hook 38, Sharpshooters 381 (5) K.Fowler

  • Blues fans not 'averse' to celebrating

    A HISTORIC figure in Bromsgrove was targeted by victorious Birmingham City Football Club fans celebrating promotion to England's top league. Cheeky supporters placed a club shirt on the statue of the town's famous wordsmith A E Housman on Monday afternoon

  • ASDA's ground plan put on ice

    SUPERMARKET giant ASDA'S plan to pay £1m in return for a guarantee that Bromsgrove Rovers Victoria Ground will never be sold to a competitor has been put on ice. It was two years ago that the Advertiser/Messenger exclusively revealed that ASDA wanted

  • Wildflower meadow

    ON Saturday from 2 to 5pm visitors to Eades Meadow near Hanbury can enjoy what is considered to be the finest lowland wildflower meadow in England. The meadow, managed by the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, is at its best.

  • Auction of work

    RARE collectibles crafted by the internationally renowned Bromsgrove Guild will come under the hammer at an auction later this month. A stone figure, dating back to the early 20th Century, of a naked boy water carrier crouching by a pond is being sold

  • Go yellow and raise vital cash

    TOWN residents are being urged to dress up to the nines and hedge their bets at a charity event to be held in Bromsgrove next month in aid of cancer patients. Following last year's successful campaign, the Primrose Hospice and Cancer Help Centre, in St

  • Laughter

    YOUNGSTERS will laugh their socks off at a Droitwich Spa theatre this weekend. Children's Theatre Productions will stage The Lollypop Lady at the Norbury Theatre, in Friar Street, at 2.30pm on Saturday. The play, written by Angela Lanyon, was originally

  • Making plans

    COMMUNITIES from two rural Bromsgrove villages are busy making plans for the Queen's Golden Jubilee. Clent parishioners will be celebrating the historic anniversary with an action-packed weekend of events. Clent Parish Council has allocated £4,000 to

  • Too many strays

    THE dog warden in Bromsgrove dealt with nearly 200 strays in the last year. The service returned 45 to their owners and re-homed 70 of the 185 dogs - but had to put 35 to sleep. Between March 2001 and April this year, there were 22 complaints about dogs

  • Extra help for more patients

    A HOME from hospital service designed to give former patients short-term support and practical assistance is set to benefit more people in Bromsgrove. The British Red Cross has appointed a new assistant co-ordinator Sarah Vassell for the service, which

  • Brushing up on skills

    ARTY youngsters from a Bromsgrove village brushed up on their painting technique with the help of a professional artist. Pupils at Tardebigge First School, in Church Lane, welcomed Alison Ogle to their classes for five days. The artist in residence took

  • Skilled in the art of silk

    TALENTED members of a Rubery group are gearing up for a two-day event showcasing the skills of silk painting. The village's silk painting group is hosting the Guild of Silk Painters' National Festival, at Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings, in Stoke

  • Methane meeting

    THIRTY Rubery residents attended a public meeting to discover whether methane gas found at a village playing field was dangerous. Health chiefs from Bromsgrove District Council told residents that while there was evidence of gas on the perimeter of Brook

  • Speed petition

    A PETITION calling for traffic calming measures in Sidemoor has been presented to community leaders. Fred Stanley, of King George Close, gathered 160 signatures from neighbours who agree that action must taken to slow down drivers in the area. Mr Stanley's

  • Andy is making waves

    GREENLANDS youngster Andy Rich tops the leaderboard of the British Jetski Summer Series after a successful opening weekend. The 16-year-old is going for the double after winning the Winter Series at the third attempt. Rich brushed aside the opposition

  • Leaders win

    Studley, Inkberrow and Stratford C enjoyed comfortable 4-0 wins in the PRS Summer Tennis League. Stratford, who conceded only eight games against their B team, lead the table, a point clear of Studley who won at pointless Henley. Inkberrow have seven

  • Tin machine is almost ready

    ASTWOOD Bank ace Andy Tinsley was at work on his secret weapon this week - a new bike. Tinsley wants a top five place in the next round of the Superstocks Championships at Silverstone before trying out a new faster bike in the following round. Tinsley

  • Fencers on the mark

    Redditch Youth Fencers were strongly represented in the Jubilee Foil Fencing Competition at The King's School, Worcester, when 11 members took part. The competition, fought with non-electric foils, was exciting with each match closely fought, but the

  • Town in fourth

    A well deserved fourth place was claimed by Redditch Swimming Club after a second round gala in the Nuneaton and District Swimming League. A storming swim by Leanne Savage gave her first place in the girls 10yr 1L breaststroke. Suzanne Britt came third

  • Stefan out

    HEADLESS Cross speedster Stefan Hodgetts was left kicking his heels at the weekend as Aussie teammate David Clarke borrowed his car for the fourth round of the Formula 3 series. Hodgetts finished well ahead of his higher-profile Team Park F3 teammate

  • Pearson VW hope

    WYTHALL driver Barry Pearson is set to open his assault on the VW Cup at Donington at the weekend. The 44-year-old former Fiesta Championships, Rover Gti's, Rover Turbo's and VW Vento's driver has been offered three drives in the series starting at the

  • What a Gay day

    HOSTS Gay Hill Golf Club were one of a dozen clubs represented at the British Heart Foundation Junior Golf Championship 2002, along with Kingfisher, with the top three man teams chasing a final berth at the Belfrey in September. The hosts' finished first

  • School's non stop Big Top

    PUPILS at an Astwood Bank School were walking tall last week as part of an activities week. Ridgeway Middle School was enjoying its annual activities week which saw children learning circus skills like stilt walking, juggling and how to walk a tight rope

  • Triumphant ripple as school scores a triple

    ALL three winners of a town-wide poetry competition came from Walkwood Middle School. Lauren Lloyd, 12, won first prize of a £20 WH Smith token out of more than 150 children who entered the competition.

  • Bliss and make-up

    A NEW College student is overjoyed at clinching second place in a national make-up competition for creating a look based on 1920s Hollywood. Jo Mitchell, who studies theatrical and media make-up at the Peakman Street campus, won £100 for creating the

  • A way to new skills

    FREE childcare training courses will be launched in the town next month. The first of 10 Pick and Mix courses starts at Little Sneakers Nursery, Bromsgrove Road, on June 10. All the courses are part of the £900,000 Redditch Local Learning Project, funded

  • School's farewell to Ivy

    A MEADOW Green Primary School dinner lady has retired after more than 26 years. Ivy Lloyd, had her last day at the Wythall school on Friday and received a long service award from Bromsgrove Council for her achievement. And Mrs Lloyd will be having a party

  • Art in the palm of their hands

    TARDEBIGGE First School pupils have been working with an artist to produce a mural celebrating the local landscape. Artist Alison Ogle spent three days on the £1,000 project at the Church Lane school thanks to funding by Worcester Arts Council, Bromsgrove

  • Music charges off the scales

    THE cost of children's instrumental lessons at school is to rise, sparking protests from parents, writes Julian Seva. Worcestershire County Council's Instrumental Music Service is raising the cost of an hour's music tuition from £21 to £30 to 'remain

  • Zowie wows them

    FORMER Redditch student Zowie Hay, 21, was honoured for her academic success at Texas University by joining former American President George Bush and former British PM John Major for tea. Zowie, who went to Bridley Moor High School and Alcester Grammar

  • Smug critic should keep his nose out

    THE complaint from M E Ford (You Say, May 3) about the condition of the Old Tollhouse was an unbelievable cheek. Whatever does it have to do with him? If it's any of his business, the scaffolding has been there for so long because the contractor discovered

  • Princely way to raise cash

    PRINCE'S Trust volunteers at NEW College's Redditch campus raised cash last week to give a much-needed boost to a children's play area. Volunteers collected £366 through bag packing in Safeway, £70 from a raffle and Halfords donated buckets and sponges

  • Help with style

    NEW College hair and beauty salons are helping to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Relief this month. People can enjoy a relaxing treatment and the charge will be donated to the charity. A range of hair and beauty treatments will be on offer, including

  • Watch out Will and Gareth

    STARS look set to shine at a Spa school when it hosts its own Pop Idol-style contest. Droitwich Spa High School, in Briar Mill, will stage the event over the last two weeks of term. More than 50 acts have already signed up. Following the success of a

  • Independent living

    SPA dignitaries joined residents for the opening of a scheme, offering independent living to people with learning difficulties. Guests including Droitwich's Mayor, town councillor Maureen Lawley (Con - Droit Central) attended the opening of the eight

  • Hoping to cook up success

    A TOP chef is cooking up the perfect nosh to help England taste World Cup success. Roger Narbett has taken over as the licensee of The Chequers at Cutnall Green. But he will soon be jetting off to Japan and South Korea to make sure the England stars get

  • Minister is sacked

    MYSTERY surrounds the sacking of the Spa's Baptist minister. The Rev Charlie Radburn, who joined Droitwich Spa's Baptist Church last year, has had his job terminated. But the reasons for him being sacked are still unknown. Members of the church received

  • Phone mast petition

    MORE than 200 people have signed a petition against plans to erect six phone antennas in a conservation area and among some of the Spa's most historic buildings. The controversial scheme, submitted by the mobile phone company Orange, has sparked off fears

  • Firm fined after boy cut fingers

    A COMPANY which supplies a Droitwich furniture firm has been fined after a family bought a faulty suite from the Spa store. Lancashire firm Buoyant Upholstery Ltd, which supplies goods to DFS, in Kidderminster Road, Droitwich, had to pay a total of £7,000

  • A-level fears as star is injured

    A GROUP of Droitwich students fear they might fail their exams because a Hollywood star was forced to pull out of a crucial theatre performance. Now the A-level theatre studies and English students at Droitwich Spa High School, in Briar Mill, hope someone

  • Rovers return

    BROMSGROVE Rovers have been promoted to the Dr Martens Western league. It means the Victoria Ground club has spent just one season in the Midland Football Alliance and has returned to the Western at the first time of asking. Rovers, who finished second

  • Third time lucky for Spa

    DROITWICH Spa CC First XI kick-started their Worcestershire County League division one season on Saturday with their first victory of the campaign. In their third match of the season, Spa defeated newly promoted Romsley and Hunnington at St Peter's Field

  • Mayor's car blaze shock

    THE Mayor of Alcester was in a state of shock after looking out of her bedroom window to see her car engulfed in flames, writes Helen Clarke. The heat from the blaze, at 10.15pm last Tuesday, was so intense that it caused a window in Wendy Weatherhead's

  • Hospital bid made

    Plans for a new hospital in Alcester have been submitted to Stratford Council, writes Helen Clarke. The scheme, for the existing Alcester Hospital site on Fields Park Drive, is for a 25-bed hospital, with day care and outpatients' suite, including a combined

  • 25 years ago May 13, 1977

    TOWN MP Hal Miller raised questions about six historic chartist cottages in Dodford, in the House of Commons. The recent listing of the cottages was now the subject of a complaint to the Local Commissioners and the MP hoped to draw the government's attention

  • 50 years ago May 17, 1952

    FIT Bromsgrove men were being sought to work as locomotive firemen. The London Midland region of British Railways wanted workers aged 18 to 30 to enter the one-month training programme for the position. Successful applicants could expect to work a 44-

  • Driver bitten on nose

    A TAXI driver needed 11 stitches to his nose after it was bitten in an attack which police believe was racially aggravated. The attack happened in an alleyway between Abberley Close and Chedworth Close, Church Hill, at about 1.30am on Sunday. Two men,

  • Councillors set out their stalls

    COUNCILLORS elected to serve Alcester in the recent district council elections have laid out their aims and objectives for their terms in office. Councillor Susan Juned has lived in Alcester 17 years, is married to Shahid and has three adult children

  • Church theft

    A small amount of cash was stolen from St Stephen's Church after thieves broke in through the back door. It happened between 12.30pm on Sunday and Monday morning. Anyone with information can call 584888.

  • History takes centre stage

    RESIDENTS can attend a meeting of Alcester Civic Society to find more out about setting up a heritage centre. Derek Sharman, from Henley in Arden Heritage Centre, will be addressing the audience on the early stages of setting up such a venture. The meeting

  • Police tackle town cheats

    POLICE have been out in force in the town centre issuing on-the-spot fines to drivers who are still using the bus-only roads. There are increased fears there could be an accident and there have been complaints from bus drivers about congestion. Traffic

  • Musician

    A BROMSGROVE musician will step back into the music scene on a Birmingham stage later this month. Singer Steve Pound of rock, punk group DTM will join band members at the Market Tavern in Moseley Street, Digbeth, on Friday, May 31. The gig starts at 8pm

  • Three days of cheer

    Celebrations in Salford Priors will last for three days. The first event will be a marquee concert on Friday, May 31, by members of City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and pupils from Salford Priors and Dunnington junior schools. On Saturday, June 1

  • Back in town

    TOES will be tapping and hands will be clapping to the beat of a Bromsgrove band making a dramatic comeback to a town venue this weekend. The TaylorMade Band are back after a ten year sabbatical to appear at the Sugarbrook pub, in Charford Road, this

  • Come for a feast

    Residents of Wootton Wawen are being invited to feast on fabulous food during an all day barbecue on Monday, June 3. Youngsters will also be able to take part in some fun games and there will a celebration for adults until late. A beacon will be lit at

  • Charter status for girls

    REDDITCH United Girls FC have become the first town sporting club to win an FA Charter. All United's coaches and managers have completed a Junior Team Manager's Course, Redditch have a designated Child Protection Person and a constitution which includes

  • Record entry for Police finals

    THE Annual Alcester Police Schools 5-a-side Football Tournament took place under hot and sunny skies at St Benedict's School, Alcester on Saturday. Nearly 40 teams vied for the honours drawn from 22 schools in Alcester and Henley and six pitches were

  • Blessing given to new hall

    CONTROVERSIAL plans for a new hall at St Laurence's Church in Alvechurch were given the green light on Monday by Bromsgrove Council, writes Julian Seva. The £800,000 project had caused friction in the village after some residents and the parish council

  • Shelter plea

    Wythall police have asked the parish council to change a bus shelter because it attracts gangs of youths. Pc Paul Twentyman asked councillors at the village annual meting on Thursday to think about changing the shelter, on Alcester Road, so it is more

  • Rovers return

    BROMSGROVE Rovers have been promoted to the Dr Martens Western league. It means the Victoria Ground club has spent just one season in the Midland Football Alliance and has returned to the Western at the first time of asking. Rovers, who finished second

  • Two elected

    Alvechurch Parish Council has elected Derek Waters as its new chairman and Patricia Rich as vice-chairman. There are also two new co-opted members, David Matthews and James Guest.

  • Bromsgrove & District Flower Arranging Society

    AT the April 18 meeting, Ann Hingley gave a demonstration entitled 'My Way With Colour.' Ann made six beautiful arrangements, all with a different colour theme and gave members plenty of ideas for their own arrangements. The next meeting is at All Saints

  • Everywoman's Circle

    ON a pleasant April evening, members were given a warm welcome by chairwoman Jenny Johnson who opened the meeting with a reading of a beautiful poem in memory of the Queen Mother. Speaker Marion Canning, a lady toastmaster - one of only 15 in the country

  • Redditch Ramblers

    THE group has enjoyed a busy month with a full programme of Sunday walks. On the first walk, members travelled up to the Stiperstones for the last but one part of the Shropshire Way project. The weather was good, giving fine views over the county. After

  • Wythall Gardening Club

    OLD friend Mike Hinton from Kings Heath Park was welcomed to the May meeting. His subject for the evening was vegetable growing and he explained all the main elements to successfully growing a variety of vegetables, including all the latest ideas. He

  • Search is on

    The CosmoGIRL! of the Year Roadshow will be coming to the Kingfisher Centre on Saturday, June 8, from 10am-5.30pm. CosmoGIRL! of the Year is a nation-wide search for ordinary girls who have achieved extraordinary things. Categories are: entrepreneur,

  • Kendall's mint strike seals it

    A ROSS Kendall strike 12 minutes from time saw Arrow Vale crowned English Schools FA champions at the Valley on Monday night. Roared on by a crowd estimated at more than 500, the Redditch side overcame the odds to inflict a 2-1 defeat on a Kingshurst

  • Green make third round

    BARNT Green CC Firsts have booked their place in the third round of the National Club Championship after beating deadly rivals Wroxeter. The visitors batted first and captain Brian Jones tucked into the inexperienced Barnt Green seam attack. But an impressive

  • Astwood Bank carnival

    IN line with the Queen's Golden Jubilee, the theme of Astwood Bank Carnival this year will be a Right Royal Romp. The main carnival day is on Saturday. The day, which starts with a midday parade, will be lead through the streets of Astwood Bank by the

  • Seconds without win

    BARNT Green CC Second XI are still looking for their first win of the season after a five-wicket defeat to Coventry and North Warwickshire. Green batted first and a poor start saw openers Matt Hudson and Mark Bagley dismissed with only four runs on the

  • Not un-sung heroes now!

    A REDDITCH band has beaten off tough competition to win a place in the final of a Battle of the Bands competition. Indie/Britpop band Unsung Heroes is made up of Kingsley College students Tim Harbon on drums, bassist Matt Hooper, guitarist Daniel Davenport

  • Just breeze along

    ANYONE who has ever stood in front of a mirror with a tennis racket pretending to be Jimi Hendrix can take part in a competition at a town pub. The Redditch Air Guitar Championships take place at the Golden Cross on June 29. Doors open at 8pm.

  • Show time

    A fund-raising concert to help pay for a new £20,000 playground at Pitcheroak School, Batchley, will take place on Friday, May 24. Entertainer and singer Tony Carroll has organised the show, which takes place at Batchley Social Club at 7.30pm. Tickets

  • Quiz night

    A charity quiz night takes place at the Litten Tree pub next Wednesday. It is being run in conjunction with the Redditch branch of Marks & Spencer. Money raised will go to Marks & Spencer's charity Rainbow of Hope for children with speech and

  • A date with history

    REDDITCH historians Alan Foxall and Philip Jarvis will be holding court at a double book promotion and sale on Friday. Mr Jarvis has co-written a book on the old Redditch Railway line to Evesham which was featured in the Advertiser last month. The hardback

  • Mill around

    Residents have been invited to Forge Mill Museum from 2-5pm on Saturday and Sunday as part of National Mills weekend. Windmills and watermills across the country will be opening their doors. Admission is £3.50 for adults and 75p for children. For details

  • Cat walking

    Magnificent moggies will be on show at a cat show at Mappleborough Green Village Hall on Sunday. The Cornish Rex Cat Society is holding the non-pedigree cat show to mark its third anniversary. The event takes place from 11am-4.30pm.

  • £80,000 scam by nurse

    AN auxilliary nurse at the Alexandra Hospital who helped carry out an £80,000 scam by using the details of elderly patients is facing jail. Patricia Wells gave her ex-husband Brian a medical admissions book from the hospital, Worcester Crown Court heard

  • The limits of confusion . . .

    DEAR Editor - It is a disappointment for campaigners for speed limits to be clarified in the Old Birmingham Road, Monument Lane, Twatling Road areas of Lickey to now find further confusion with the new road signs which have been installed. One is entitled

  • Dog owners should avoid allotments

    DEAR EDITOR - As an allotment tenant at the Roundhill allotment site, I read with interest the reaction of some dog walkers to the recent improvements involving a partnership between Bromsgrove District Council and tenants on the site. Dog walkers were

  • No case for a ban

    DEAR EDITOR - John Weaver (Letters April 24) on the subject of hunting, hurriedly, illiberaly and perhaps unwisely dismisses the rights of minority groups. With most of the opinion polls making quite clear that the majority have no wish to see hunting

  • World Cup holiday for Rover staff

    EMPLOYEES at MG Rover are celebrating the company's second anniversary with the news they will have time off to watch England play in the 2002 World Cup. The company will use its flexible working time system to enable production staff to watch England

  • Fun run

    Around 120 runners pulled on their training shoes to take part in the Astwood Bank Carnival sponsored fun run on Sunday. The Robin Bourne Trophy winners were Dave Cleverly in the senior three-mile race and Tom Killigrew in the junior race of one-and-a-half

  • Ditched car alert

    CARS abandoned for more than a week will be removed and destroyed by Redditch Council to stem the rising problem, writes Julian Seva. The authority deals with about 2,000 reports of abandoned vehicles each year and last year disposed of 516. Now a sticker

  • A hero's welcome

    A REDDITCH family with strong military ties was celebrating last week after one of its latest generations to serve in the armed forces returned home. Tom Coyle, 22, from Crabbs Cross, who is with 40 Commando Royal Marines, arrived home safe and well from

  • House fire

    A fire crew was called to a blaze at a derelict house on Monday morning. Redditch Blue Watch was called to put out the fire in Other Road in the town centre at about 6am.

  • Pagan wedding for town couple

    A REDDITCH couple tied the knot in a Pagan ceremony on Saturday. Andrew Marshall and Cally Workman were 'handfasted' in a stone circle at Worthy farm, the site of the Glastonbury festival. They were given special permission by festival founder and organiser

  • Cars on fire

    Redditch fire crews were called to two car fires in 40 minutes on Monday night. They put out a fire in Clews Road, Oakenshaw, at 11.30pm and were called again at just after midnight to Edgioake Lane, Astwood Bank.

  • First part of new complex to open

    A £20 million development which will include a transport interchange, an indoor food hall and several stores will begin operating from Monday, September 16, it was announced yesterday. The project forms part of a £60 million revamp of the Kingfisher Centre

  • 'YOUR DUTY FOR COUNTRY'

    HOME Office Minister Lord Rooker today provoked fury by telling a tiny Worcestershire village it had a duty to take its share of "responsibility" for housing asylum-seekers. He said he could "understand" the concerns of residents, who have already had

  • Bravery award for dad who tackled thugs

    A COURAGEOUS dad who chased three robbers after they attacked an elderly couple in their home has received a bravery award. Noel Hughes tackled the vicious thugs, who threatened to "cut" the terrified 80-year-olds and sprayed fake blood in their faces

  • Worcester set for heat wave

    WORCESTER could be one of the hottest parts of the country when the first heat wave of the summer season arrives today, according to Evening News weatherman Paul Damari. He also believes it could mean a warm summer ahead. Temperatures look set to soar

  • City 'is above' politics

    WORCESTER city councillors should not let politics get in the way of serving the people they represent, according to the city's new mayor. Councillor Robert Rowden was last night elected Worcester's new first citizen, replacing David Clark who handed

  • Tory health chief praises hospital

    WORCESTER'S new hospital and its staff have been praised by shadow Health Secretary Liam Fox MP, who visited the site last week. He spoke after Friday's two-hour visit to the site, which included a tour around the accident and emergency unit, critical

  • Judges adjourn on school smacking decision

    JUDGES at the centre of a school's smacking case have decided to "go away and think about it" before making any decision. The headteacher at The River School in Fernhill Heath, travelled to London yesterday with representatives from 39 other Christian

  • Site to be larger than the village

    HOMEOWNERS living near the asylum seekers' centre site in Throckmorton fear they could be left with nothing as property prices continue to plummet. Furious villages have accused the Government of cashing in on the damage it has already caused to the picturesque

  • Sew far so good with her hobby...

    A NIMBLE-fingered granny has managed to make the most of her new-found skill by making dozens of tapestries. Winifred Poole said she never had a hobby until 10 years ago when she discovered some tapestry patterns from a book. Since then, the 83-year-old

  • Nadine sells soul for trip

    A TALENTED musician who fell in love with the arts as a six-year-old Worcester schoolgirl is coming back to perform a concert in aid of her next overseas trip. Nadine Bogan hopes to top up funds for two months of community arts work in South African primary

  • Busker's 'shock' at drugs cache

    A street busker accused of helping a drug dealer has told a jury he did not know there was a stash of heroin in his flat. Philip Jones allowed Bruce Baylis to live at his rented premises for four months, sleeping on a sofa in the lounge. But police who

  • Pupils put on the Ritz for prom

    GOING out in style was the aim of Pershore High School leavers as Year 11 pupils celebrated with a night out at the Oscars. A range of awards were on offer at the school's charity night, including prizes for the best-dressed male and most glamorous female

  • 100 years ago

    May 17, 1902 Alvechurch - extension of churchyard. A meeting of the parishioners was held in the National School on Tuesday evening to accept the plot of land which is to be added to the churchyard and which has been conveyed to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners

  • 25 years ago

    May 13, 1977 NEEDLE makers at Studley this week revived an ancient tradition by staging a mock wedding on the shop floor. The bride wore white satin and chiffon, but when the wedding veil was lifted up, the truth was revealed. People expecting to see

  • 15/5/02 - City clinch double deal

    WORCESTER City manager John Barton has bolstered his under-performing midfield with the capture of Tamworth's David Foy and Burton Albion's Pat Lyons. Barton described the signings as a big boost for the club and signalled his ambition to bring in more

  • Group put on classic

    CAULDRONS were bubbling and witches were cackling when Bromsgrove's Conservative MP watched an amateur dramatic group's rendition of a Shakespeare classic. Julie Kirkbride joined the packed hall to watch the Rubery Drama Group's hilarious rendition of

  • Spa fencers crowned champions

    DROITWICH Spa Fencing Club enjoyed success after being crowned champions at the Crystal Open. The Crystal is a competition for teams of three fencers competing in the three disciplines of foil, epee and sabre. Eleven teams took part in the competition

  • Discover the joys of sailing

    PEOPLE with a love of the ocean life are being urged to stretch their legs and join the Bromsgrove Boaters for a voyage on the open seas. Always keen to attract new members, the club will set sail on yachts from the south coast in June, cutting across

  • Fagan breaks sprint record

    BROMSGROVE and Redditch Athletic Club's Daniel Fagan was in record-breaking form on Sunday at the Worcester County Athletic Championships. Fagan took silver in the 100m in 12 seconds and beat the 15-year-old club 200m record with a winning time of 24

  • Smoking talk

    ANYONE with a passion for the past can attend a light-hearted talk organised by Clent History Society tonight (Wednesday). The meeting, at Clent Parish Hall, in Church Avenue, features Mel Mills who will talk about his grandmother - a pipe smoking gypsy

  • Stage school reunion

    FORMER pupils from a famous stage school, which held classes in Catshill during the 1950s, are being urged to celebrate its 70th birthday next weekend. The Betty Fox Stage School is having a celebratory bash on Sunday May 26 to mark the anniversary. The

  • Rises will drive shoppers away

    HAVING read the letters regarding car parking in Redditch in recent weeks, I write to support the view the increase in charges by Thornfields is extortionate and will be detrimental to the town as a whole. As I see it, this will affect not only shops

  • Agents should make a stand

    IN the hot-house atmosphere of the present housing market, I would like to relate an experience which happened to me recently and may become more and more common. Over the last couple of months, I have been involved in the process of selling my house

  • Breathing new life into local politics

    THANK you to everyone who voted to re-elect me in Abbey Ward on May 2. The Liberal Democrat Focus team and I received a warm reception and positive words of encouragement on the doorstep, which sustained us during the long and hard-fought campaign. I

  • I have enjoyed every moment

    I WOULD like to thank your newspaper for publishing events I have attended throughout my mayoral year. I would also like to thank everyone who has supported and encouraged me. I took over as mayor from Eric Payne, who did a fantastic job in his term of

  • Arty bonus for centre

    UP to £45,000 is to be spent on developing two arts projects in the town which include a feature entrance into the Kingfisher Centre, it has been revealed, writes Becky Procter. Ideas for a form of sculpture between the library and Post Office on Alcester

  • Parties struggle for sway

    CONSERVATIVE and Liberal Democrat councillors have expressed hope their policies will gain more sway in the political year ahead. The first hung council in decades leaves the Liberal Dems with the balance of power but leader Diane Thomas said the group

  • Young people to tackle bullying

    THE issue of bullying will be tackled tonight during a meeting set up for young people in Redditch. Worcestershire County Council's Speak Hear meeting will take place at Redditch Youth House in Smallwood between 7-9pm. Tonight forms part of an agenda

  • Social services grant awards

    AWARDS have been given to social services staff for improved skills in children's services. The eight Worcestershire County Council staff were awarded City and Guilds NVQ level three in Caring for Children and Young People qualifications at a presentation

  • On The Piste, Everyman, Cheltenham

    HULL Truck Theatre Company has been on the road since 1971, and John Godber's On the Piste, joins a long line of his plays which are successful well-written slices of modern-day life. The comedy is very funny, while showing us humans that we are more

  • Double winners

    A DROITWICH Spa U11 football team has completed their own version of Arsenal's Premiership and FA Cup double. The team, from Westacre Middle School, in Ombersley Way, secured the Droitwich Spa and Bromsgrove School's U11 League with a 6-0 thrashing of

  • Town success

    BROMSGROVE Town U9s enjoyed a successful weekend by winning one tournament and reaching the final of another. On Saturday, Town beat host team Hinckley with a Ross McGuinness golden goal in extra time of the final. Goals by Connor Wilson (4), James Ward

  • Ladies secure Redditch double

    FAIRFIELD Villa Ladies completed the double over Redditch United following a 4-2 victory. Redditch had the early pressure but did not threaten the Fairfield goal early on and were made to pay when the home side took the lead on 20 minutes through Mel

  • Cup victory for Longbridge

    LONGBRIDGE Sports and Social secured the BSA Cup with a 4-2 final victory over Alcester Rovers. Here is a round-up of the rest of Sunday's action in the Redditch and South Warwickshire Combination. BSA Cup Final - Alcester Rovers 2 (Hogetts, OG) Longbridge

  • Winning start in new kit

    A BROMSGROVE school football team is hoping their luck is in after winning their first game in a new kit. The U11s team at the Mount School, in Birmingham Road, beat Bromyard Town U11s 2-1 in their first game since changing into the new strip. Parents

  • Junior football round-up

    Bromsgrove Town U7s 1 Highgate United U7s 4 Bromsgrove lost a thrilling Central Warwickshire League Shield final. Town, captained by Tom Lucas, went a goal down on five minutes and, despite good Bromsgrove pressure, they could not equalise. In the last

  • Girls win football event

    GIRLS from North Bromsgrove High School have shown their football skills by winning a tournament. The School Drive school's girls U14s beat Woodrush High School to win the inaugural Bromsgrove Girls Football Inter School Tournament on Friday, May 3. Aston

  • Fomer chairman of MUDC dies, 82

    A FORMER chairman of Malvern Urban District Council has died in Australia, aged 82. Mr Alfred Lawrence "Bill" Surtees, who lived in Malvern between 1942 and 1965, was very well known in the town. He originally came to Malvern to join the wartime staff

  • City clinch double deal

    WORCESTER City manager John Barton has bolstered his under-performing midfield with the capture of Tamworth's David Foy and Burton Albion's Pat Lyons. Barton described the signings as a big boost for the club and signalled his ambition to bring in more

  • Skipper Jones leaves Sixways

    WORCESTER Rugby Club will have a new captain next season after the release of Kingsley Jones. The 31-year-old has been told he has no future at the club by director of rugby John Brain and will now return to his native Wales. Jones, who came to Sixways

  • County kids in youth festival

    MORE than 600 children will converge on Stourport-on-Severn on Sunday for the third annual Worcestershire Youth Games. Teams from each of the six districts in the county - Worcester, Wychavon, Malvern Hills, Wyre Forest, Bromsgrove and Redditch - will

  • Worcester grab double triathlon success

    THE Worcester Stirling Triathlon Club's annual Malvern race was a resounding success with the host club providing two of the category winners in les bailey and Jemeima Twist. Over 170 competitors entered the race with a 400 yards pool swim, 25 km bike

  • Poupart takes in French connection

    GAVIN Poupart was left flying the Parrot Print colours when representing the Central Region in the five-day Tour de La Manche stage race based around Cherbourg. The county club had two riders under doctors orders, one finishing his final chemistry exams

  • Diddy League success

    SWIMMING: Worcester Swimming Club won the latest Diddy League gala at Sansome Walk pool by a massive 82 points. The club managed 29 first places out of 43 races, with eight seconds and four thirds. Final scores: Worcester 229, Halesowen 147, Orion 142

  • Cooking up a million

    COOKS at an Evesham luncheon club have dished up a quarter of a million meals. Residents at Ferry View, a sheltered housing scheme run by Evesham and Pershore Housing Association, have now tucked into a 250,000 meals prepared over the last seven years

  • Group helps young parents

    YOUNG parents needing help on a range of issues can take advantage of a new group. The group meets at Wallace House Community Centre on Thursdays between 11.30am and 1.30pm, and aims to offer help and advice to parents under the age of 20. It has been

  • Driver injured

    A MAN was taken to Evesham Community Hospital with minor injuries after a collision involving a green Ford Mondeo and a red VW Golf in Blakes Hill, Middle Littleton, at about 7.25am on Wednesday. There were no other injuries and the road was not blocked

  • Set for a bellyful of laughs

    SQUEAKY-voiced comedian Joe Pasquale brings his brand of mirth and mayhem to Alexandra Theatre on Sunday. Joe, whose voice has been described as 'a cartoon waterfowl' and 'a demented helium balloon', has been likened to Tommy Cooper and hailed as a comedy

  • Cars collide

    A RED VW Polo was in collision with a black Volvo S80 on the A44 at Fish Hill, Broadway, at about 8.59am yesterday (Wednesday). There were no injuries, but the road was blocked for 20 minutes while police removed one of the cars.

  • Starr man

    A madcap comic who has honed his special style of zany humour over the past three decades brings his one-man show to Malvern next week. Freddie Starr brings Unwrapped to Festival Theatre on Saturday, May 25. Freddie emerged from humble beginnings in Liverpool

  • A runaway fundraiser

    A YOUNG Matchborough girl has raised more than £400 for a town charity. Sian Cornick, 12, raised the money for the Break A Leg Theatre Company by running 20 laps of Cherington Close, where she lives.

  • Mas-on form for Redditch

    REDDITCH bounced back from their opening day defeat with a five wicket win over Pelsall inspired by an old hand and one of the club's rising stars. Captain Nev Mason played his first game of the season after suffering whiplash in a car accident and reaped

  • Bank still finding feet

    ASTWOOD Bank skipper Alex Robinson said his side are taking time to adjust after two successive promotions but is not worried three games into the season. The Bank followed winning and losing draws with a last over defeat to Black Country outfit Netherton

  • Wythall off to a flier

    WYTHALL recorded their best start to the season for seven years with another maximum points haul at the weekend. Martin Priest's side followed up their comprehensive win over Corley with a tigher affair against Marconi. After bowling their opponents out

  • Jones bid for top two position

    FIVE Ways Old Edwardians captain Chris Jones has set his sights on a top two finish and promotion in the wake of Saturday's win over Thimblemill. The Masshouse side started the season with a losing draw to Lyndworth but Jones says his Warwickshire Four

  • Mark hit by injuries

    HEWELL endured a disastrous weekend with a nine wicket defeat to Hanley Castle & Upton compounded by a couple of injuries. Top scorer Billy Gill provided one of few bright spots for Mark Allcock's team with 40 runs but tore a hamstring going for a

  • Derby for villagers

    EXHALL and Wixford made it two out of two with an eight wicket win over Twyning at the weekend. The Cotswold Hills League Premier side reached their 164 target for the loss of two wickets to go third, four points behind early pacesetters Stratford Bards

  • The Sound Of The Jam The Jam

    Three star A bit of a mixed bag from the ubiquitous Mr Weller which will serve only to remind fans of how good he used to be when he was a proper moped-riding punk revolutionary. The essence of a good jam is to have mouth-watering chunks spicing up the

  • Smokers get own shelter

    SMOKERS at the Alexandra Hospital will soon be directed to an outdoor shelter if they want a cigarette. Plans have yet to be drawn up on where it will go but it is hoped it will stop patients and visitors smoking near the main entrance of the Woodrow

  • 15/05/02 - United settle out of court

    FORMER Redditch United manager Rob Smith has accepted an out-of court settlement from the football club after taking it to a tribunal for unfair dismissal and breach of contract. Mr Smith claimed he was dismissed by former United chairman Rod Laight on

  • 15/05/02 - Field does the double

    GRITTY midfielder Richard Field has been named Redditch Advertiser Player of the Year for the second successive year. The trophy, awarded by the club, was presented at the annual Awards Evening at the weekend.

  • Man with itchy hair called 999!

    REDDITCH ambulance crews deal with up to 30 per cent of the total workload across the whole of Herefordshire and Worcestershire. The station, based in Batchley, is the busiest out of both counties but there are only ever two ambulances working at any

  • Help centre open

    A REDDITCH charity for women who have suffered the trauma of abortion is still open - despite suffering a fire earlier this year. Redditch Life Care Centre, based at the old Wagon and Horses pub in Beoley Road West, is celebrating its eighth anniversary

  • Rovers return

    BROMSGROVE Rovers have been promoted to the Dr Martens Western league. It means the Victoria Ground club has spent just one season in the Midland Football Alliance and has returned to the Western at the first time of asking. Rovers, who finished second

  • Laser future 'still unclear'

    CAMPAIGNERS trying to save ophthalmology services at the Alexandra Hospital are still none the wiser about what will happen - despite talks with the chairman of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, writes Julian Seva. Redditch residents Jean and

  • Pushing on

    The next round of antenatal classes from the Redditch branch of National Childbirth Trust is running from June 10 to July 15. Places are limited. For more details, call 595300.

  • Angling round-up

    BANK holiday Monday starts this week's results with the Ovation Leisure open held on Lower Broadheath's Sycamore pool. Lots of double figure results were recorded, headed by Roy Ravenhill (Adroit AC) who pole fished chopped worms at peg 28 for a 32-1-

  • 15/5/02 - New Raiders seal title in style

    NEW Raiders are champions of the E & E Engineering/Banks's Brewery Worcester Friendly Skittle League Wednesday Division One following a 51-pin victory away to the Legionaires. They are 34 points ahead of Highwaymen with one game left. Division Two

  • Raiders escape with cash

    POLICE are seeking witnesses after staff and customers were left shaken by a post office raid in Bromsgrove. Detectives are hunting two men who are believed to have carried out the robbery in Providence Road, Sidemoor, at around 3.50pm, last Thursday.

  • Garringtons site

    AMBITIOUS plans to breathe new life into the former United Engineering Forging (UEF) plant will see the creation of a science park, 700 jobs and a housing estate. The 55 acres at Aston Fields has been earmarked for a major property development by Persimmon

  • Health reply is little comfort to eye campaigners

    CAMPAIGNERS who signed a petition calling for the retention of eye services at the Princess of Wales and Alexandra hospitals will have to wait awhile longer to hear if their fight has been successful. Many people fear a review of eye services now being

  • Malawi mission

    A LICKEY vicar and his family are preparing to visit famine stricken Malawi and they need residents to help raise vital funds. The Rev Philip Swan, of Holy Trinity Church, Rose Hill, will leave his flock for one month in the summer and head for the African

  • Lamb death inquiry

    FOUR youngsters, one aged nine, have been questioned by police in connection with a brutal attack on a lamb, which resulted in it having to be destroyed. A decision is yet to be made on what action will be taken against the four boys, two aged eleven,

  • Drug dealer is jailed by court

    A BROMSGROVE woman charged with drug offences went on the run for 13 months before she surrendered to police. Keri Pearson was found in possession of 46 pieces of cannabis when her former Bromsgrove home was raided, Worcester Crown Court heard. But the

  • New faces at the helm

    NEW faces now hold powerful roles within Bromsgrove District Council. Norton councillor Dennis Norton (Con) is the authority's latest leader and Cllr Rita Taylor (Con - Barnt Green) is deputy leader. The new team was elected at the council's annual meeting

  • All change with review

    A TOP-LEVEL name game could spell a change of identity for residents of Bromsgrove as the voting area boundaries come under further scrutiny. A newly-created town centre ward, made up of parts of Whitford, Sidemoor and Charford, could be called St John's

  • Businesses talk shop

    A MEETING has been called to discuss the future of Rubery's shopping centre - following the results of a survey on village trade. Shopkeepers want a cleaner parish, better public transport services, new shops and more help from banks and financial institutions

  • Councillors efforts rewarded as eyesore fence is removed

    A DILAPIDATED wooden fence that had been an eyesore and a hazard to pedestrians in Bromsgrove for many years has been removed thanks to the efforts of district councillors, husband and wife Alan and Rita Dent. The couple, who represent the Whitford and

  • Two in the frame

    A PAIR of light fingered thieves are being hunted by police after they were caught on camera stealing two mobile phones from a hotel in Bromsgrove. The incident occurred during a conference in the Perry Hall Ramada Jarvis Hotel, in Kidderminster Road,

  • Threat to car firm

    NEW European laws could be a direct threat to a major car manufacturer which employs hundreds of Bromsgrove residents, the town's Tory MP has claimed. Julie Kirkbride MP fears a directive designed to force the car industry to pay the cost of decommissioning

  • Lizzie's courage

    AFTER months of anguish, tears and heartache a teenage cancer victim has courageously fought off the potentially fatal illness to join her friends for a celebratory charity concert in Bromsgrove. The concert, organised by South Bromsgrove High School

  • Residents have the chance to discuss areas of concern

    COMMUNITY issues close to the hearts of residents will be at the fore tomorrow night. A second series of Bromsgrove District Council's spotlight meetings are being launched to encourage folk discuss topical subjects such as services and initiatives. Agenda

  • Characters come to life

    CHARACTERS from children's best-loved books could be spotted in Bromsgrove last Friday. Youngsters from Ottilie Hild School, in Hanbury Road, dressed up as their favourite folks from fairytales. Little Red Riding Hood, Harry Potter and Peter Pan were

  • Charities lose out on cash

    CHARITIES could lose out on cash from clothes banks in Bromsgrove if a new plan goes ahead. The banks are on 13 sites in the area and most of them are run for the benefit of Scope, Oxfam, the British Heart Foundation and Traid. Now a company has offered

  • Road accident

    FRUSTRATED commuters found themselves trapped in a mile-long tailback after a road traffic collision in Bromsgrove last Wednesday. Police received a call at around 8.20am after a red Ford Fiesta, carrying three passengers, was in collision with a woman

  • Blunt Arrows lose the booty

    A depleted 16 man Redditch Arrows squad fought valiantly but fell to their fourth successive defeat losing 44-6 to East Kilbride Pirates on Sunday. Arrows' winless season was extended in an almost identical game to the teams' first encounter three weeks

  • Wilshaw 53 points clear

    CALLOW Hill rider Jason Wilshaw takes a 53 point championship lead to Snetterton for rounds six and seven of the Classics Club Post Classics Series in ten days. Wilshaw saw arch rivals Mark Pinkney and Mark Carkeek take each other out of the first of

  • Off target

    Despite strong performances by Worcestershire County lady archers, the team crashed to last place at the Four Counties match at Cheshire, in a tournament held in difficult conditions of extreme cold and gusty winds. Scores: Cheshire 14593; Staffordshire

  • Raven put to flight

    Alcester opened their Heart of England with a 43 shot win over a Raven side who did the double over them last season. The damage was done by Renny Bannister (21-10) and John Alderson and Dave Hovell (both 21-11). This was enough to put the Raven to flight

  • Sheldon shot down

    The White Hart Premier side took on the Rubery Sheldon at home on a running green and started off well with Mick Wigginton (21-17), Martin Onions (21-16), Dave Kings (21-16) and Dave Edwards 21-18 getting the Hart off to a good start. Further wins by

  • Athletes go for gold

    REDDITCH athletes will be going for gold at the Midlands' biggest championship event for people with disabilities this week. Leanna Horne, 14, of Arrow Vale Community Sports College, will compete in the shot category in the npower active Regional Athletics

  • Dancing beans

    Youngsters at a Redditch dance school were full of beans when they showed off their skills at a show at Kingsley College. Children who attend Lucy Jane's School of Dance, which opened in October, performed at the school on Saturday, May 4, Sunday, May

  • Carving out future

    A NEW College contract to teach offenders woodworking skills has been renewed after most of those who took part in the scheme were awarded certificates. The scheme runs at the Redi Centre and offenders who have been given community punishment orders can

  • Fun in store

    Staff at Halfords in Redditch will be downing tools tomorrow to celebrating Learning at Work Day. A range of activities have been organised, including martial arts, guitar workshops and Gardeners' Question Time sessions. The day, co-ordinated by the charity

  • Garden joy

    WEBHEATH First School has embarked on a multi-sensory garden project to coincide with the Queen's Golden Jubilee. The project at the Downsell Road school involves building herb and rock gardens, a feature wall, seating and study areas and is set to embrace

  • Please help us to aid Britain's wild creatures

    BECAUSE of the time of year, Vale Wildlife Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre, at Beckford, is getting extremely busy, with many baby birds and mammals coming in on a daily basis. At this time, we are always short of volunteers, not only during the day