A JEALOUS husband was freed from jail after his battered wife pleaded with a judge at Worcester Crown Court. George Smith stamped on his wife's head following a row in a pub and stole goods from a shed and a farm shop. He was kept in custody after failing
FUTURE plans for Worcester were today open for public scrutiny as the city council held its roadshow displaying the draft Local Plan. People living in the Faithful City have been invited to give their opinions on the plan at the Green Centre, Gresham
A DINES Green drug addict has been jailed for breaching a rehabilitation order by shoplifting in Worcester. Richard Hill, aged 21, stole a pair of jogging pants from a sports shop and two fluffy rabbit toys. Both offences were caught on CCTV. Julie Rosamond
PLANS to relocate a Worcester school have been rejected by city councillors. Worcester City Council's Cabinet agreed the county council's planning application to move Christopher Whitehead High School from its current site in St John's be refused. The
A DISTRAUGHT husband who attacked a love rival with a parrot perch has been spared jail. Carl Quiney drove to a house in Evesham where his estranged wife, Jennifer, was having lunch with postman Martin Abbott, Worcester Crown Court heard. He produced
BARBOURNE man Craig Walker attacked his ex-girlfriend after accusing her of trying to poison him. Later, the 27-year-old hurled a box through the window of a stranger's house and shouted abuse at police, Worcester magistrates heard. Julie Rosamond, prosecuting
A GALLON of lager, greasy chip buttie and a drag on a celebratory cigar. The average diet of a die-hard football fan in Worcester, like England's performance, left a lot to be desired this morning. But this was Sven'sday, and the Faithful City was up
FOLK music lovers are urged to get down to the beat of a top band soon to appear at a town venue. Bromsgrove Folk Club is pleased to welcome Hilary Spencer, one third of a capella band Artisan, who will perform at The Ladybird, in Finstall Road, this
AN old-fashioned sing-a-long and lashings of strawberries and cream are just part of the centenary celebrations for a Worcester pensioner. Ellen Pattle from the Lawns Nursing Home in Kempsey was all smiles as she picked up her telegram from the Queen
MUSIC will ring across the village of Barnt Green when the choral society hold their annual summer concert this Saturday. Under the baton of the newly appointed conductor, Steven Cowperthwaite, Barnt Green Choral Society will perform in the St Andrew's
NUISANCE calls and domestic disputes accounted for a third of calls made to the police by Kempsey people in the six weeks from the beginning of May. The 41 calls also included eight thefts, five traffic offences, five suspicious incidents, three public
HOW do you fancy trekking through the jungle in Costa Rica or cycling down the Mexican coast? Well, now is your chance to live your dream and raise money to help cancer care at the same time. Macmillan Cancer Relief is giving people in Worcestershire
A MERCIFUL judge at Worcester Crown Court reduced a jail sentence on a father-of-four so that he could keep his home. Vincent Walmsley was originally sent to prison for nine months for an attack on a woman in a Kidderminster nightclub. But two hours later
LESSONS in food hygiene were given to pupils at Elgar Technology College as part of a national campaign to cut the number of food poisoning cases. Pupils were taught to wash their hands before and after handling food, how to keep raw and cooked foods
A BROMSGROVE fireman is over the moon after winning his first open road race of the year on Sunday. Phil Blacker, riding for Wyre Forest Cycle Racing Club, took victory in a 70km event near Stratford. The course included a 14 per cent hill climb on each
DROITWICH Spa Tae Kwon Do club is celebrating a 100 per cent pass rate at an assessment just four months since it opened. All 21 members of the club, based at Chawson First School, in Wych Road, passed their yellow tag for white belts on Friday, May 31
BROMSGROVE Town Bowling Club is rejoicing for the third time in four years after reaching a national final. The Sanders Park club's ladies team has won the right to represent Worcestershire in the English National Championships. Despite having to reorganise
THE Birmingham Anglers' Association has booked the following waters for this week. Saturday, June 15 - Staffordshire/Worcestershire Canal - Br 19 to 20. Sunday, June 16 - River Avon at Wasperton Manor Farm; Avon Meadows; Welford 1; Bidford; Marlcliff
DROITWICH Spa Cricket Club's First XI season may only be eight games old but already they are facing up to the reality of another failed promotion challenge. Saturday's six-wicket loss at home to Hagley was the club's fourth defeat of the campaign and
FAIRFIELD Villa Ladies continued their excellent six-a-side form with a convincing win at Southam United on Sunday. Despite a squad of only six players, Fairfield remained unbeaten to follow up their win in Penzance last month. Fairfield comfortably won
GIRLS football is on the up in Bromsgrove as a town club looks to form another team. Meadow Park Girls FC, the only girls club in Bromsgrove, currently has two sides, at U12s and U13s level, playing in the Stourport District Girls League. Managed by Dave
THIRTY years of working to improve life for disadvantaged people in the Malvern Hills area was celebrated by a unique organisation this week. Milling around the back room at its Belle Vue Terrace base, founder members, councillors, volunteers and those
SENIOR figures from St Richard's Hospice and Walton Marine, owners of Upton upon Severn Marina, will be giving talks at a meeting in Upton on July 8. Upton Tourism and Trade Association (TTA) has organised the meeting in response to questions from individuals
WORCESTER Triathlon member Les Bailey clinched bronze for Great Britain in the European Duathlon Championships. Bailey, representing GB in the 65-69 age group, clocked two hours, 32 minutes and 20 seconds in the race held in Zeitz, Germany. Bailey's efforts
THE worst kept secret among Bromsgrove football fans was confirmed last Saturday when Bromsgrove Rovers were officially placed in the Dr Martens Western League. Gary Hackett and Jon Ford's team can now look forward to a feast of local derby games next
DEAR EDITOR - A day of fun and surprises was enjoyed by everyone at the Royal British Legion Jubilee celebrations on Monday. A daytime disco for children, colourful stalls for the town's organisations and all-day entertainment followed by a supper for
DEAR EDITOR - I am collecting used stamps, postcards and picture phone cards for Guide Dogs for the Blind. I was wondering if any of your readers would be kind enough to send me any of their used stamps. Please send all stamps, postcards and picture phone
DEAR EDITOR - I was born and raised in Droitwich Spa, but I have lived in the USA for 23 years now. Despite being a US citizen, I wanted to send greetings regarding the Golden Jubilee in Droitwich. and to say God bless the Queen. I just wish I could have
DEAR EDITOR - I recently came back to my home town of Bromsgrove with my new American husband to show him some of the wonderful and interesting things around the area - one appreciates it more when living away. I took him to the railway grave stones,
DEAR EDITOR - I would like to appeal to residents in the Shirley Road and Abberley Drive area of Droitwich Spa to discontinue the practice of putting out the bones of their Sunday dinner. I would like to point out that this habit attracts rats and also
THE humour of legendary comic Tony Hancock will be brought back to life at the Crescent Theatre in Brindleyplace, Birmingham. A Double Helping of Hancock features The Blood Donor, one of his funniest episodes, and Hancock's Last Half Hour, which deals
Thursday, June 13 Tribute: Rainbow Rising, the Robin, R n B Club 1, Merry Hill, Brierley Hill. Folk-Rock: Fairport Convention, Huntingdon Hall, Crown Gate, Worcester, 8pm. Theatre: Some Enchanted Evening, Alcester Street, Redditch, 7.30pm. Friday, June
FUN and excitement will be the aim of the game when six teams compete against each other for the title of Blue Cross Knock Out winners 2002 this weekend. Town folk are urged to pop along to the event on Sunday to support the teams and raise cash for the
GREEN-FINGERED town folk can pick up some useful hints and tips at a garden centre near Bromsgrove later this month. The Gardeners' Festival Summer Spectacular will take place at Webbs Garden Centre, in Worcester Road, on Friday, June 28, and Saturday
A BARNT Green organisation, which has gone from strength to strength since its formation in January, is urging more members to join their lively club. Friendship Club of Barnt Green, which now has over 40 members, both men and women, meet on the third
THE people of Throckmorton have just cause to be concerned at the prospect of an immigration centre being built in their village. It's one that should be shared by the county and country. Britain, due to government policy, has gained the reputation for
IN case anybody was still harbouring any illusions that the European Union has anything other than a federalist agenda - that is the destruction of the member "states" (they used to be called countries) in favour of a European Superstate - then the following
WITH all the Jubilee celebrations over, I'm surprised - yet very thankful - that your headlines have not read 'Teenager drowns in the river Teme'. Last Saturday, I witnessed children and teenagers jumping into the river - not only from the old Teme bridge
IT was wonderful to read that Clifford T Ward's beautiful English ballad Home Thoughts From Abroad has just been voted the nation's fourth favourite song in a BBC poll. The recognition of Clifford is long overdue. Hs songs have such depth and beauty they
SHOPPERS in Bromsgrove yesterday were left in no doubt about the message town crier Kevin Ward was putting across. It was simply "Get On Your Bike." Kevin was one of a chain of 120 criers in towns and cities across the length and breadth of the country
TWO Bromsgrove gumbusters are putting pressure on the district council to take a fresh look at cleaning up the town. Jess Shakespeare and Trevor Hurley want to use their steam clean machine to sweep the streets free of sticky patches made by people dropping
A FARRIER from Wychbold is counting his lucky horseshoes after scooping a top scholarship from an equestrian charity. Craig Hopkins has won a bursary from the International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH) and in return for the charity's support
POUNDING drums brought a Bromsgrove first school alive when youngsters put their musical talents to the test. Pupils at Tardebigge First School in Church Lane enjoyed a visit from Kidderminster musician Rod Smith, who held a series of percussion workshops
A 50-YEAR dream will come true for residents of a thriving Bromsgrove village thanks to a generous Lottery grant. Tardebigge has been awarded £298,581 to build a community hall, which will be a focal point and venue for many village activities. The grant
VISITORS to a Bromsgrove church early this morning, where a giant screen had been installed for them to watch England's crunch World Cup game against Nigeria, prayed for the 'hand of God' to steer their heroes through to the next round. Peter Billingham
A COMMUNITY-SPIRITED woman from Bromsgrove will don her dancing shoes and step to the beat at a charity function in memory of her late mother and grandmother. Karen Banner, proprietor of Pleck Stores, in Crabtree Lane, Sidemoor, will host the charity
A LOVE of the great outdoors brought together a Spa couple who are celebrating 60 years of marriage. Iris and Arthur Simmonds, of Princes Avenue, have held two parties to mark their diamond wedding anniversary and both boast more than half a century of
THE spirit of Christmas arrives six months early in Droitwich this week as one of Charles Dickens' most famous works opens at the Norbury Theatre. Scrooge, inspired by A Christmas Carol, begins a nine-show run, including two Saturday matinee performances
CHRISTIANS in Droitwich Spa are speaking out for trade justice in Third World countries. Worshippers at town churches have been backing the Trade Justice Movement and will support a mass lobby at Westminster on Wednesday, June 19. Campaigners want world
FRAUD busters are cracking down on Droitwich Spa residents who make false benefit claims at the cost of the public purse. Wychavon District Council is playing its part to hunt out fraudsters who cost the country a staggering £50m. This week residents
A NEW church extension in Droitwich Spa has been given an official blessing. The Bishop of Worcester, the Rt Rev Peter Selby, has dedicated the new building at St Augustine's Church, in Crutch Lane, Dodderhill. The extension provides a new kitchen, toilets
THE chairman of a Droitwich Spa community group is concerned about head lice outbreaks at a town school. David Simones-Jones, who leads Westlands Action for Residents and Tenants (WART), said the problem at Westlands First School, in Farmers Way, must
EVESHAM town councillors are calling for a two-way traffic system along part of Mill Street before giving the go-ahead for development up Common Road. At a meeting on Monday they voted to urge Wychavon District Council to refuse plans by Kingsoak South
THE swimming pool at North Bromsgrove High School could be one of several at schools that may be drained and left unused it was revealed. The cost of ongoing repairs and maintenance was proving too costly for the cash-strapped county council. BROMSGROVE
DESPERATE pleas have been made to Alcester businesses and individuals to help stop the final whistle being blown on a town youth organisation. Organisers of Alcester Athletic Football Club have had to dig into their own pockets to the tune of thousands
PLANS to celebrate next year's Coronation were being drawn up by the district council. Bromsgrove had a good reputation for celebrating royal events in style. In 1937 the town was picked out by the BBC and many private commentators as being one of the
COSTUME, colour and crafts will fill the streets when Alcester holds its annual themed market on Sunday. This year's theme will be the Victorian era and delights on offer will include performances by Alcester Male Voice Choir, the town's ladies choir,
TRAMPS seeking a night's board and lodging at Bromsgrove's Workhouse in Birmingham Road would not in future need a police ticket verifying that they were a genuine and deserving case. The practice was being discontinued because police were too busy. PEACE
BROMSGROVE CC First XI continue to struggle in Birmingham and District Premier League division one after a losing draw at Leamington last Saturday. Bowling first on a rain-affected pitch, the Boars' bowlers dominated the early stages as the home batsmen
PEOPLE working in the media are being urged to enter a new awards scheme. Journalists working in all forms of media - including Press, radio, TV and Internet - as well as public relations executives and photographers, are invited to enter. The West Midlands
A WORCESTERSHIRE hauliers has secured a deal with a local building materials producer, worth £15m. Taylors of Martley, near Worcester, has been awarded a five-year contract to handle all logistics for Kingspan Insulation, in Pembridge, Herefordshire.
REDDITCH town centre erupted on Friday afternoon as hundreds of footie fans celebrated England's historic 1-0 victory against arch-rivals Argentina. Pubs were packed with World Cup revellers and for many hours afterwards, the shouts of "Come on England
AN emaciated, maggot and flea-infested dog, which was found dumped outside Wythall Animal Sanctuary, has had to be destroyed. The elderly collie, which was half its normal body weight, was discovered, wrapped in a duvet, by staff at the Middle Lane sanctuary
A REDDITCH school for children with special needs will not be closing as a result of a massive shake-up, it has been announced. Parents have been assured Pitcheroak School in Cherry Tree Walk, Batchley, will not shut after a review of all special schools
EVERY target set at the start of an £8.6 million regeneration project in Redditch has been met or surpassed. Community Works, which focused on Batchley, Smallwood and Woodrow, has provided services to residents including adult education, youth activities
A DISABLED Redditch woman was so shocked after having her handbag stolen she crashed her motorised wheelchair into a tree and fell out. The incident happened close to Woodgate House, Batchley, at about 12.15pm last Tuesday when the elderly woman was on
Kidderminster: Stourbank House, 90 Mill Street, Kidderminster (01562 820071). West Mercia Probation Area website: www.westmerciaprobation.org.uk
A WORCESTERSHIRE woman scooped prestigious accolades with her two prize-winning cows at a huge agricultural event. Anne Grainger, from Shrawley, entered the animals in the annual Royal Bath and West Show. Mrs Grainger carried off awards including female
A WORCESTER couple hope a TV programme will help them sell up and move to sunnier climes. Paul Middleton and Sue Kerrigan will leave the city once their Dent Close home is sold. For the past two days, BBC1's Trading Up programme has been carrying out
MORE than three-quarters of ambulances in Worcestershire and Herefordshire responded to life-threatening calls within the eight-minute target time last year. The announcement is a massive improvement for the service, which had only managed to reach 57.3
SACKED Minister Angela Eagle has been forced to apologise for misleading the House of Commons over controversial plans to build an asylum seeker centre at Throckmorton. Ms Eagle, who was replaced as Asylum Minister in last month's reshuffle, was put on
A POOP scoop policy in Kempsey could be pushing the dog dirt problem out of the village and on to Stonehall Common. Parish councillors heard that the situation had become worse since they introduced dog bins. "We seem to have a fleet of vehicles bringing
MUSIC lovers are set for a treat this weekend when a well-known and much respected brass band plays in a town near Bromsgrove. Under the direction of Howard Gibbs, The Band of West Mercia Constabulary will perform at Kidderminster Town Hall in Vicar Street
A WORCESTER wrestler is set for a showdown with his American counterparts after being spotted in a video. John Stallard, who performs under the name Jonny the Body is jetting off to Philadelphia to compete in two tournaments after being spotted by National
THEATRE-lovers from all parts of the country descended on the county for a grand reunion of an amateur dramatic association. Almost 100 people from as far away as Torquay, London and Canterbury attended the 20th birthday party of Worcester Operatic and
RAIN delayed the start of Worcestershire's Frizzell County Championship Division Two game against Durham at Chester-le-Street today. Durham were still without Paul Collingwood as they looked for their first Division Two win of the season. Collingwood,
A BROMSGROVE fireman is over the moon after winning his first open road race of the year on Sunday. Phil Blacker, riding for Wyre Forest Cycle Racing Club, took victory in a 70km event near Stratford. The course included a 14 per cent hill climb on each
BROMSGROVE Rovers have been drawn at Stourport Swifts in the Dr Martens League Cup preliminary round. A date is yet to be fixed.
ENGLAND'S greatest ever table tennis player is coming to a Worcestershire village to coach youngsters in the sport. Desmond Douglas English champion 11 times in the 70s and 80s, will be the coach at seven sessions being run at Cofton Hackett Village Hall
AN up and coming golfer has missed out on representing her club in Ireland because of her age. Amanda Purcell, aged 14, won the Millennium International Mixed Pairs Classic with Terry Hartley on Sunday, June 2. But, because she is under 18, Amanda is
BROMSGROVE Golf Club has finished second in the annual Birmingham and District 17-24 League Woodward Cup. One hundred and twenty golfers from 14 clubs converged on the club to compete in the event. In the betterball stroke play competition, the Bromsgrove
BARNT Green Spartak Football Club could be celebrating promotion within the next 24 hours after their ground share agreement got the go-ahead. Spartak are waiting on the outcome of a meeting of Midland Combination league officials, held last Monday, to
ROYAL Grammar School, Worcester, have struck gold on the national stage. RGS' J16 eight returned from the National Schools' Regatta having won a gold medal in the B Eights event. The crew -- Andrew Stewart, Sam Smallwood, Chris Bowen, Rob Simmons, Richard
CHRIS Billings was the star of the show in Bromyard Town's annual awards night when he picked up a double accolade. Billings picked up the First Team Player of the Year and also Players Player of the Year for his continued commitment to the club. He missed
WORCESTER Wolves basketball player-coach Rick Solvason is offering his skills to try and unearth new talent. Today and Saturday University College, Worcester, is to host a 'bite of basketball' under the Bite Size initiative, designed to encourage adults
RAIN delayed the start of Worcestershire's Frizzell County Championship Division Two game against Durham at Chester-le-Street today. Durham were still without Paul Collingwood as they looked for their first Division Two win of the season. Collingwood,
TWO Bromsgrove girls have helped Worcester U16s girls rugby team retain their national sevens title at Southampton University. Alice Richardson, from Astwood Bank, and Broughton Green's Natalie Clifford were part of the squad that won all seven games
STUDLEY'S South African overseas star Brandon Miller took seven wickets to give the home side a 112-run victory against Tamworth on Saturday. On a very wet wicket, Studley lost the toss and were put into bat. A combination of bad bowling by Tamworth and
THE Football League has given Kidderminster Harriers and fellow cash-strapped clubs a boost by changing the rules on loan signings. Harriers will now be able to make up to 10 temporary captures next season to improve their side and cover for injuries
WYRE Forest fishery Furnace Mill played host to the M N Autos and Marks Tackle two-day festival over the Bank Holiday weekend. Day one winner, Steve Mayer (Bronx), pole fished worm and casters on Furnace pool peg 22 for a mainly Carp catch of 51-0-0.
DEAR EDITOR - I am the local contact for the War Research Society, run mainly by retired and serving police officers and ex-servicemen as a charitable hobby. It was founded many years ago and supports a number of charities including the Royal British
DEAR EDITOR - I was very pleased to see mention in a recent edition of Edward Winslow and his portrait in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Do your readers know that there is a copy of this portrait in St Richard's House? It can normally be seen on request. Part
DEAR EDITOR - Contrary to your correspondent 'Foxy', I am well versed in all aspects of the hunting debate over many years. The view held by 'Foxy' that the majority of opinion polls favour a ban is incorrect - MORI now seem to be the only pollsters able
DEAR EDITOR - I would like to reply to the letter from "Hurt Felines" that appeared recently regarding veterinary fees. Veterinary surgery is one of the most difficult professions to enter and the reason that most people do so is because of their love
DEAR EDITOR - How re-assuring that thanks "on behalf of the people of Bromsgrove" have been extended, in a recently published letter, to Nick Psirides. Thanks for the band-stand no-one wanted, the loss of pensioners' bus passes, the massive hike in council
DEAR EDITOR - I and my fellow Droitwich Spa town councillors would like to thank the Young Firefighters Association for their efforts in cleaning graffiti from the railway bridge on the A38 and, in particular, their valiant attempts to clean the Saltworkers
DEAR EDITOR - Readers of the Advertiser/Messenger who are concerned about factory farming, and its effects, may be interested in the National March and Rally to be held in London on Saturday, July 13, to join a determined coalition of animal and green
A KIND-HEARTED Bromsgrove woman will host a charity event this week to pay tribute to her mother and grandmother who bravely fought but sadly lost their battle against cancer. Town folk are urged to take part in the 'keep your eye on the ball' event,
WE would like to express publicly our deep gratitude to the many thousands of volunteers and supporters of Cancer Research UK. But the challenge of defeating cancer has not diminished and Cancer Research UK welcomes all offers of help from people who
IT'S just been revealed that the headline display at this years's Horse of the Year Show - to be held at the NEC Arena, Birmingham, from October 9-13 will be Jean Francois Pignon. Pignon has often been described as one of the leading equestrian displays
REGARDING your article headlined "Yes Minister" (Evening News, May 20) I hate reading of references to the Jack Profumo Affair, which occurred so many years ago. He was a Lt Col during the Second World War. While in Tunisia, I worked closely with him
A ROMPIN', stomin' high energy show which has, according to the organisers, won hearts minds and British fans is coming to a stage near Bromsgrove. Canadian band, Tanglefoot are coming to Huntingdon Hall in Worcester with a mix of story songs, folklore
I COULD have offered to be put in the stocks outside Worcester Guildhall as a humble apology to the "hunting community". This would have been in "penance" for daring to state that hunters breed and feed foxes for their sport. However, sadly for Jon Burgess
THE balloon has gone up for a new business which could create up to 20 jobs in Bromsgrove. Tony Lowe Balloon and Floristry Distributors has opened in Sugarbrook Road with the aim of attracting business from all over the country. The new company hopes
THE owners of a hair salon who unwittingly flouted the listed building status of its historic town centre premises will have to replace its new replacement windows and could face legal action. Umberto Giannini, with salons in London and in seven Midland
LITERERARY reviewers of the future are having their opinions on newly published books put on the world wide web. Beaconside Primary School in Hazel Road, Rubery, has been asked to take part in a nationwide scheme which previews children's books selected
FAMILIES got the chance to find out where to go for help on a fun day at a Bromsgrove school. Benefits and advice agencies set up stalls at Charford First School, in Charford Road, for an afternoon. Parents had the chance to find out what was on offer
THE appliance of science is proving a big hit with pupils in a Droitwich Spa village. Students at Cutnall Green First School, in School Road, are enjoying a science week to mark National Science Year in Britain. Eighty-nine children have already investigated
YOUNGSTERS who attended a Queen's Golden Jubilee activity morning at Bromsgrove Library got caught up in the spirit of the event even though the big official celebrations had taken place a few days earlier. Jo Cox, assistant librarian at the Stratford
A NEWSLETTER bringing the people of a Droitwich Spa parish together has been officially named. The Hanbury Herald is the title for the community project which aims to inform villagers about parish activity, events and organisations. It was distributed
A FARRIER from Wychbold is counting his lucky horseshoes after scooping a top scholarship from an equestrian charity. Craig Hopkins has won a bursary from the International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH) and in return for the charity's support
PASSERS-BY were given a glimpse into the past this week as work began on a new development at a site which has been a blot on the townscape for 40 years. The open space, in Worcester Road, Bromsgrove, is considered by many an eyesore in the recently smartened
OLDER residents from Droitwich Spa have been lapping up sun, sea and sand in Blackpool thanks to town Rotarians. More than 30 residents headed to the popular resort for the town's annual seaside trip. A packed coach left Rotary House, in Corbett Avenue
YOUNG riders from Bromsgrove Olympique Cycling Club were on top form last Saturday as they claimed two gold medals in an excellent display at the British Schools Cycling Association mountain bike National Championships in Lincoln. Olympique claimed six
THE start of a major fundraising appeal to build a new hospice for life-limited children in the three counties of Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire has been hailed as a tremendous success, with £50,000 being donated in the first month.
A CAMPAIGN targeting "dangerous and irresponsible" motorcycle riders in Bromsgrove and Droitwich is proving to be a huge success - figures show no bikers have been killed in the area during the last month. West Mercia Constabulary, which covers both towns
ANTI-SOCIABLE behaviour by youths is causing anxiety to elderly residents at a sheltered housing complex in Bromsgrove. Measures to tighten security at Lowes Court, Norton, have already been put in place but members of Bromsgrove District Council's cabinet
CARING residents are needed to share their talents in DIY or the garden with the town's elderly folk. Age Concern wants people to back a new scheme operating in Droitwich Spa and surrounding villages. The initiative aims to help older residents maintain
Heavy trucks and lorries are using village lanes as a rat-run, say civic leaders in Stoke Prior. Members of the parish council are concerned that the lanes are being used instead of Hanbury Road and they want something done before there is an accident
VANDALS have struck again in Droitwich Spa - this time targeting a town school, brand new play equipment and even killing baby birds. The culprits left a trail of destruction at the Lido Park and St Peter's First School, just days after the town had enjoyed
TOWN residents, up in arms over a proposal to fix mobile phone antennae and dishes to a metal chimney at the Princess of Wales Hospital, live to fight another day after a decision was deferred this week. Mobile phone giants Orange want to install a telecommunication
TWO Droitwich schools are celebrating after being recognised for their high quality of art opportunities. St Peter's First School, in Church Lane, and Droitwich Spa High School, in Briar Hill, have been awarded prestigious national Artsmark awards. St
A MAN was arrested on suspicion of drinking and driving after his car crashed through a hedge in Port Street, Evesham, at about 4.45am yesterday (Wednesday). The man was driving a red Peugeot Estate car.
WATER quality in the Vale of Evesham and Broadway is to be vastly improved now Severn Trent is splashing more than £2m into its Strensham water treatment works. The scheme is part of a huge investment throughout the Midlands to build on record levels
THE worst kept secret among Bromsgrove football fans was confirmed last Saturday when Bromsgrove Rovers were officially placed in the Dr Martens Western League. Gary Hackett and Jon Ford's team can now look forward to a feast of local derby games next
A MAN and a youth were arrested at about 5.31pm on Tuesday after police received a report of two men trying to break into a car at sewage treatment works in Beckford. The pair were arrested on suspicion of attempted theft from a motor vehicle and criminal
DROITWICH Spa CC First XI continued their unconvincing start to the season with a lack lustre performance in a six-wicket defeat at home to bottom of the table Hagley on Saturday. After being asked to bat on a wet pitch, Droitwich again struggled to post
OAKENSHAW'S Enzo Mucci achieved his best ever result in round four of the Renault Clio Cup over the Jubilee weekend - but the event was overshadowed by his team-mate's major shunt. A tyre blow-out meant Mucci's qualifying round did not go to plan and
BARNT Green CC First XI's miserable early season form showed little sign of letting up last Saturday with a losing draw at home to fellow strugglers Knowle and Dorridge. Green still find themselves rooted to the bottom of Birmingham and District Premier
A SUCCESSION of dropped catches scarred an otherwise impressive performance by Avoncroft CC First XI as they claimed a comfortable winning draw at Harborne. Croft's fielders failed to capitalise on six catching chances during the Worcestershire County
JOE Libetta was the star of the show as Bromsgrove CC U15s beat Avoncroft by seven wickets. Libetta took a confident 5-11 and hit a patient 22 not out to see his team comfortably home. Avoncroft found runs hard to get, on a slow pitch with only Devlin
THE region's Chamber of Commerce has extended its contract with a leading integrated software solutions provider, to the tune of £1.6m. In July 2001, iRevolution completed the first phase of the contract and integrated all of the Chamber of Commerce,
WEST MIDLANDS Euro MP Philip Bradbourn has slammed the appointment of John Prescott as Cabinet Minister responsible for the regions and local government, calling it "yet another step in the European-isation of Britain". Following Stephen Byers resignation
A HOUSING Association has taken on a new head of corporate services. West Mercia Housing Group, which has its corporate headquarters in Bromsgrove, has taken on Angus Groom, formerly business development director for a major UK contractor. Mr Groom, aged
TWO men were slashed with knives in separate attacks on Monday night and police believe they could have been committed by the same gang. The first happened at about 10.45pm in Auxerre Avenue, Greenlands, where police believe the 35-year-old victim was
FEARS a Redditch residential home could be closed are still mounting, despite assurances it will remain open. Dorothy Terry House, in Crabbs Cross, is owned and run by the British Red Cross but a proposal to hand over its management has worried a number
A MASKED robber held the manager of a Redditch video store at knife-point before stealing a large amount of cash and two Sony PlayStations. The robbery happened at Blockbuster, Trafford Park, Smallwood, at about 11.40pm on Sunday, June 2. The 24-year-old
PLANS to build 24 homes on the site of the former Ipsley First School were due to be delegated for approval last night. The scheme involves building detached and terraced houses with roads, footpaths and sewers on the land at Oakenshaw, together with
A REDDITCH allotment shed, containing potentially explosive and lethal gas cylinders, was burnt to the ground after arsonists struck last Tuesday night. The attack happened at Bridge Street Allotments, in Batchley, which has recently been hit by a spate
USERS of a Redditch pool could be exposing themselves to a "moderate health risk", claims consumer magazine Which? following an investigation. It says the council-owned pool, in Hewell Road, has very high levels of disinfectant - but the council insists
AN old Redditch fire engine which served through the war and was later owned by founder of yokel band The Wurzels is still being put to good use in a Yorkshire town. The 1939 Leyland Tiger was based at Redditch fire station until the 1950s when it was
A UNIT for badly behaved youngsters and a school for children with emotional problems are set to open on the sites of two former schools in Matchborough. A pupil referral unit for children who have been expelled from mainstream school, face expulsion
A MAJOR arts festival launched in Redditch yesterday culminates with a jam-packed day of events in the town centre on Saturday. The Redditch Community Art Festival Event (CAFE) aims to raise awareness of the wealth of arts activities going on in the borough
REDDITCH paramedics could soon be trading places with colleagues in Sweden after they went on a fact-finding mission to the country's second largest city Uppsala last week. Crews will be some of the first in England to be able to administer a life-saving
A COUPLE posing as customers assaulted a car salesman before snatching a vehicle from the forecourt of a Hopwood garage. It happened at Stratons of Worcestershire between 3.20-3.30pm last Saturday. The couple viewed several cars with the salesman and
Review: Time and Time Again - Festival Theatre, Malvern (until Saturday, June 15) TOP actors and the work of one of Britain's top comedy playwrights promised a great night's entertainment. Sadly it didn't turn out that way, but that was through no fault
