Archive

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THROCKMORTON: Jubilation as refugee plan is scrapped

BATTLING villagers were today celebrating a dramatic victory over plans to build a massive asylum seeker centre on their doorsteps at Throckmorton. Campaigners sat in the House of Commons public gallery could not hide their delight as Home Office Minister

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THROCKMORTON: Battle has been won

ANXIETY that had been building for 10 months was brought to an end in a matter of seconds in the chamber of the House of Commons. Shortly before making a formal announcement at 4pm yesterday, Home Office Minister Bev Hughes caught the eye of Peter Luff

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Lorry driver beaten in road rage attack, claim

A LORRY driver was attacked in a road rage incident during the morning rush-hour, a jury has been told. Geoffrey Jones pulled in front of a Ford Escort in a queue of traffic in Stourport-on-Severn's one-way system. Witness Linda Garbett described how

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Room up top as double-decker joins school run

A DOUBLE-DECKER bus, brought in to stop overcrowding on a Worcestershire school route, is now up and running after suffering a series of setbacks. Worcestershire county councillor Tom Wells was behind the campaign to secure the bus on behalf of parents

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About chime, too...

FOR the first time in well over a century, councillors were called to the Guildhall by the chimes of a bell from St Andrew's Spire. As part of this year's Jubilee celebrations, the city council arranged for the Deansway Spire bell to be restored and rehung

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School scoops special award

A SPECIAL needs school which uses illuminated floors to help autistic children has won a prestigious award. Thornton House School, which has specialised teaching areas, has spent three years planning a makeover to help benefit the social and emotional

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6/11/02 - Hick's pride will be dented by sacking

Reading Graeme Hick's statement took me back inevitably to my own relinquishing of the captaincy in 1995. What struck me most then was how differently things looked to me from how they were obviously looking to other people. My pride was hurt by the thought

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Male nurses are on the increase

THE rise in the number of male nurses in Worcestershire is partly due to the popularity of hospital dramas on television, it has been claimed. There are more male nurses than ever before at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, and there has been a steady increase

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You'll make it worse

RESIDENTS in Bransford fear that plans to prevent flooding on the A4103 could make matters worse elsewhere in the area. Worcestershire County Council is considering raising the road by Bransford Bridge after flooding problems in the past. But Dr John

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Website set up to help the aged

SILVER surfers have the opportunity to find more about what is available for them thanks to a new website created by Help the Aged. The new site, www.helptheaged.org.uk features In your area, a section that details all the charity's local services and

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Laura stepping to pass on skills

A WORCESTER woman who left the Faithful City almost 25-years-ago to pursue a hugely successful career in ballet is back home to pass on the skills that she learnt to the next generation. Laura Green won a place at The Royal Ballet School in London back

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Trustee plea over funding

A GREIG Centre trustee has warned the popular community venue faces closure if a potential cash windfall falls through. Last week, the Chronicle reported £1m was in the pipeline for the centre as part of a £2.5m joint initiative with the grammar school

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Head for country

JUST a reminder to country music fans to get their tickets for a popular Spa event this weekend. The End of the Trail Country Music Club has invited The Garry Blackmore Band to perform on Saturday (November 9). The popular Kent-based musicians will be

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Gift in memory of a loved one

WITH a major £1m rejuvenation of the Greig Centre planned the Chronicle takes a look at the venue's history, which begins with one man's devotion to his wife. In 1888, David Greig started a grocery shop in the south of England and by the start of the

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Our lane is 'worst in the county'

A WORCESTER man claims the lane in which he lives is the worst in the county. Bob Smith said he wants a stretch of road by his house re-layed after buses and lorries have caused massive pot holes on the surface. "Come and try our lane. It's the worst

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Revamped car park open early

AN Evesham car park, which has received a facelift, is open for business earlier than expected. Shoppers and visitors to the town can now use the Oat Street Car Park from this week following the £37,000 facelift, which saw the car park closed for the

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Woman escapes prison sentence

A PREGNANT woman who went on a spending spree after snatching a social worker's handbag has escaped a jail sentence. Paula Slemp, aged 20, took the bag while being given a lift in the social worker's car, Worcester magistrates heard yesterday. With a

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Weather gives city fireworks show a beating

CHARITY takings at Worcester's biggest fireworks display were down two-thirds on last year. Organisers blamed bad weather for keeping revellers away from the racecourse, but blasted those who stood outside the gates to watch without dipping into their

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Day was filled with beans

ALCESTER residents have played their part in smashing a world record. The world's biggest coffee morning held last month across the UK brought in more than 1.5 million people - smashing the world record of 513,000 set in 1996. In all, 30,000 coffee mornings

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End in sight for website re-launch

THE new Alcester website should be up and running by the end of the year. The managing director of town internet company Cool Fish communication, Rupert Carr-Smith, has already designed the website which is set to bring Alcester in to the 21st century

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Legion chief recalls horror sinkings

ONE veteran of the Second World War who will be thinking of fallen comrades on Remembrance Sunday is the president of Alcester's Royal British Legion. Former sailor Jim Adams, 80, also lost two brothers in the war and was lucky to survive himself after

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Blues in battle

BIRMINGHAM City Ladies are being drawn into a three-way battle to beat the drop according to chairman Steve Shipway. The Valley Stadium tenants went down 3-2 at home to Tranmere on Sunday to stay rooted in the bottom two. Brighton still prop up the National

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Bromsgrove Rovers 0 West Bromwich Albion U21s 1

Tuesday, November 5, 2002 WEST Bromwich Albion's U21s side beat Bromsgrove Rovers by a single Simon Brown goal in a friendly encounter. Brown hit the back of Matt Lowe's net on 27 minutes in what was primarily a practice match at The Victoria Ground.

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Drunk girl spurs plea

POLICE have issued a stark warning to parents to make sure they know where their children are after an excessively drunk 13-year-old girl was rushed to hospital. The seriously ill girl was found in the Crabbs Cross area and was taken by ambulance to the

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Animals ban for farmers

TWO Redditch farmers have been convicted of a string of offences relating to the mistreatment of animals. Father and son Harold and David Tongue appeared at Droitwich Magistrates Court on Wednesday alongside David's brother, Stephen, following a prosecution

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06/11/02 - Brookes on for return

BROMSGROVE Rovers club captain Morgan Brookes is on the brink of returning to first team action. Brookes, player of the season for Rovers' Midland Alliance promotion campaign, has been out of action since March with a groin injury. And, although not expected

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100 per cent record goes

BROMSGROVE Hockey Club Men's First XI lost their 100 per cent record with a 1-1 draw at home to Rugeley last Saturday. The seconds were hammered 5-0 at Kingswinford while the fourths drew 3-3 at Yardley despite leading three times. Bromsgrove U16s, playing

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Definitely one for Christmas

Johan Fostier Guitar Recital - Ponce, Asencio, Castelnuovo-Tedesco. AT last... musicians are beginning to be featured on serious classical recordings and recognised for their talents. For too long, and all too often, these worker bees are neglected, giving

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Who wants to lie there and think of England?

WITH reference to Mrs Holland's letter (Advertiser, October 30) expressing her horror at the thought of an 'adult shop' in Redditch, I would like to know what all the fuss is about. First, let's face facts. It's a sex shop and, strangely enough, people

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Please give what you can

REMEMBRANCE Day this year falls on Monday, November 11, with services having taken place on Sunday in Redditch at St Stephen's Church and St Matthias and St George in Astwood Bank. May I take the opportunity, through your newspaper, to urge everyone to

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Stalemate

DROITWICH Spa Hockey Club Ladies Seconds played out an exciting 0-0 draw with Bournville. Spa's Gail Harding made some excellent saves to keep her side in the match. A late attack from Kerry Venskus, Lucy Hine and Delyth Draper failed to produce a goal

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Mauled over coals

DON Vincent says it 'is possibly true' the miners 'were good' at their jobs (Letters, October 30). Well, given that miners have excavated millions of tonnes of coal over the years - happily the very thing they were looking for - I think we should conclude

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U14s finish third

BROMSGROVE Hockey Club Ladies Seconds suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Cresconians. The visitors took the lead early on but Bromsgrove equalised through skipper Helen Hartiss. Cresconians won the match late goal in the second half.

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School must function as normally as it can

AS chairman of governors to Astwood Bank First School, I would like to outline the present position of the governing body, and the school, with respect to the applications before Redditch Council for an incineration plant in Popes Lane. As I communicated

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25 years ago

November 4, 1977 THE shape of future industrial development in Studley hangs in the success or failure of a scheme to convert a small village school into a factory. That was the feeling of Studley parish councillors this week as they delayed a decision

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Friends raise hospital help

ABOUT £4,200 has been raised for the cancer and radiotherapy units at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham. Fund-raising has been under way since July after the funeral of Neil Ankcorn, who died from a rare form of cancer. About 150 people attended

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Mosque gets final consent

PLANS for a £1.5m mosque in Smallwood have been given the go-ahead by Redditch Council - despite concerns from residents. The project was approved last week at a meeting during which residents raised fears about a 20m high, illuminated minaret which Muslim

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Fruit machines are target of burglars

LETTERS have been sent to pub managers in Redditch and Bromsgrove warning them to be on their guard after a spate of break-ins. Since the start of October, there have been seven reported burglaries where fruit machines have been targeted. Det Insp Steve

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Bag snatch witness plea

POLICE are appealing to three people who helped a woman who had her bag snatched to come forward as they may have vital information. The 43-year-old victim was walking towards a zebra crossing in the car park at Tesco in Redditch at about 1pm on Sunday

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6/11/02 Booking bright spot from Torquay

THERE was a bright spot as the driving rain forced Kidderminster Harriers' game at Torquay to be postponed at the weekend. A booking for skipper Sean Flynn, Bo Henriksen, Scott Stamps or Danny Williams would have brought their tally to five and ruled

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5/11/02 November fixtures pile up for Britton's men

THE rearranged Torquay clash will give Kidderminster Harriers potential fixture chaos with a possible seven games in 22 days. Harriers now head to Devon on Tuesday, November 19, after Saturday's Division Three game was postponed 30 minutes before kick-off

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Raids sending out message

A TOTAL of 58 offences were detected after a series of raids over three days. The operation, carried out in Redditch and Bromsgrove on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, resulted in 36 people being dealt with for violent crime , burglary and car crime. For

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ADIE SMITH - Centre-back, right-back, midfield. 11/8/73. 5ft 10ins. Squad number 6.

Another Mr Versatile, long-serving Smith signed for Harriers in 1997 for £19,000 from non-league rivals Bromsgrove Rovers. Smith's performances in non-league earned him three caps for the England semi-professional team as well as a Nationwide Conference

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Musical night to enjoy

A CONCERT featuring the musical talents of children aged three to 18 takes place at the Palace Theatre next week to raise money for Children In Need. Redditch Area Music Centre presents the musical evening on Friday, November 8, featuring wind, brass

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Money for your seats

THE story of Dick Turpin will be brought to life by the Rowney Green Players from Wednesday, November 20, for a four-night run. The pantomime will be held in the Peace Hall and tickets cost £6 and £4 for concessions. To book tickets, call Sue Walker on

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Historic radar dish scrapped

A GIANT radar dish that used to be one of Malvern's most distinctive landmarks and a key part of the town's history has been scrapped. The 14-ton "Byson" dish was a familiar feature on the skyline of South Site for decades and the last of its kind in

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6/11/02 Errors cost Swifts but boss remains positive

UPBEAT Stourport Swifts boss Dave Titterton refused to criticise his players after they crashed to a 3-0 defeat against visitors Taunton Town last night. It was the first Dr Martens Western Division defeat in five games for the new Walshes Meadow boss

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Redditch Utd 4, Evesham Utd 5 (aet)

Tuesday, October 29, 2002 TUESDAY night's League Cup tie should really have been a Western Division match - it had the good, the bad and the ugly! The good was in the shape of on-loan striker from Kidderminster, Matty Lewis, who bagged a debut hat-trick

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Rugby Utd 3, Evesham Utd 0

Saturday, October 19, 2002 ANOTHER sorry Saturday saw United lose for the third successive weekend during which time they haven't managed a solitary goal. It was a third reverse in four Western Division outings on the road - a record that needs swift

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Hick's pride will be dented by sacking

The Tim Curtis column Reading Graeme Hick's statement took me back inevitably to my own relinquishing of the captaincy in 1995. What struck me most then was how differently things looked to me from how they were obviously looking to other people. My pride

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Goals required to keep pack at bay

The John Barton column AT the risk of stating the obvious -- we have to score goals and start sooner rather than later. We've been involved in a number of no score draws, but while being disappointed with a point in games we should have won, at least

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'Shots' spark fond memories

Down the Lane with Nat Sylvester CITY'S FA Trophy clash with Aldershot Town on November 30 invokes memories of an earlier cup meeting when 'The Shots' were still a Football League side. In 1983 Nobby Clark's Worcester side knocked the then Fourth Division

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Offenham lose unbeaten record

DIVISION Two leaders Offenham Rovers lost their unbeaten record in the Birdseye Sports Evesham League at the hands of Pershore FC. They hit five with a hat-trick from Andy Brant and further goals from Andrews and Davies while Rovers replied through Tustin

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Green light for recycling

AN Alvechurch councillor taking part in a recycling experiment for Bromsgrove Council has reported her success. Councillor June Griffiths who lives in Birmingham Road, Bordesley, is one of a number of Bromsgrove councillors taking part in the environmental

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4/11/02 - Warriors battle to edge out Wolves

WORCESTER Wolves opened their National League Division One campaign with a 82-81 defeat at Westminster Warriors. Worcester were without injured Paul Gerald who sprained his ankle in a midweek training session. Wolves opened with a starting five of Ben

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Cold shoulder for callers

VULNERABLE people will be given help to feel safer at home by Worcestershire Trading Standards during National Consumer Week. A 'cold caller card', information on consumer rights when buying at the door and an A-Z of Citizens Advice Bureau services will

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06/11/02 - Trophy exit for United

REDDITCH were unable to repeat their FA Cup exploits when they tumbled out of their second cup competition in four days after a 3-1 FA Trophy defeat at Mangotsfield. Crowds have tailed off since United's FA Cup exit and efforts to get the punters back

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Bringing a new mix from Amsterdam

A UNIQUE opportunity for dance lovers is on offer when the Dutch National Ballet visits Malvern Theatres this week. The Amsterdam-based company is the largest in the Netherlands with more than 80 dancers and presenting 70 performances there each year,

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Fly posters face purge

FLY-posters illegally splattered across town for months are to be torn down after the launch of a massive clampdown on Monday. It follows scores of complaints about posters and adverts stuck on lampposts, traffic lights and roundabouts. Highway chiefs

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A mouthpiece for talent

SUNDAY sees the first of three rehearsed readings of new plays by up and coming playwrights at Inkberrow venue the Bulls Head Inn. Ada's Boys, by Novid Parsi, is a gripping tale of sibling rivalry and racism in America's Deep South. The second, Goliath

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Three-year jinx is over

DROITWICH Spa RFC First XV banished their Berkswell and Balsall hoodoo with a 19-13 success giving them their first win at the Warwickshire side for three years. Spa put in a workman-like display in poor conditions to record their third Midlands Four

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Junior rugby round-up

BROMSGROVE RFC U16s made light work of Old Sils U16s, recording a 25-0 victory despite only having 14 men for three quarters of the game. Slick handling saw Nick Raybould slice through for the first score and then Chris Mucklow went over from a close

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Council asked to get skates on

PLANS are rolling forward for a new skate park for young people in Studley. The parish council is working with the High Street youth club and designs for ramps and other equipment have been drawn up. The proposals will soon be submitted to Stratford Council

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Kids in Need

A CONCERT featuring the musical talents of children aged three to 18 takes place at the Palace Theatre next week to raise money for Children In Need. Redditch Area Music Centre presents the musical evening on Friday featuring wind, brass and string band

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Panic Room (15)

Three star THIS is one of those films which is guaranteed to leave watchers asking 'What would you do?' to their nearest and dearest. The 'what would you do?' in this instance refers to the nightmare situation of waking to find three armed and very angry

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A New Day At Midnight David Gray

Two star ANOTHER one-hit wonder comes to mind after listening to David Gray's new work. But then most artists would be left in the shadow of their own success after releasing White Ladder - a piece of musical genius. Maybe Gray should go to his old bedroom

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All dolled up!

REDDITCH Operatic Society is back with its biggest and most expensive show yet - the comedy musical Guys And Dolls at the Palace Theatre. The show, which has a budget of more than £16,000, runs from Tuesday, November 19, until Saturday, November 23. It

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What My Heart Wants To Say Gareth Gates

One star If you think about it, it seems like an extraordinary amount of time and labour has gone in to this album. From the first TV auditions, through the massive publicity campaigns to the orchestration of the backing tracks. Which is why this 16-song

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Church fair

St Stephen's Church is holding its Christmas fair on Saturday. The event, which features a tombola, raffle, home made cakes, preserves and toys, starts at 10am.

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Brookes on for return

BROMSGROVE Rovers club captain Morgan Brookes is on the brink of returning to first team action. Brookes, player of the season for Rovers' Midland Alliance promotion campaign, has been out of action since March with a groin injury. And, although not expected

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Baggies-bound?

PREMIERSHIP battlers West Bromwich Albion are on the trail of Bromsgrove Rovers' rising star Ashley Read (pictured, above). The Baggies have offered the 18-year-old a one-week trial beginning on Monday, November 18. Read, contracted to the Victoria Ground

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Late treble leaves Villa with a draw

FAIRFIELD Villa conceded three goals in the last ten minutes to throw away a 3-0 lead at home to Handsaker. Both sets of players had difficulties getting to grips with a slippery pitch but it was the hosts who took control of the midfield. Villa took

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Spa bow out

DROITWICH Spa bowed out of the Midland Combination Challenge Vase after losing 2-1 at Earlswood Town in the quarter-finals. After a goalless first 45 minutes last Saturday, Kevin Blaber's side took the lead through David Bailey on 65 minutes. But Earlswood

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Swan Theatre rescue dumped

A WORCESTER city councillor threatened to resign as the fight to save the Swan Theatre suffered another blow. Tory councillor Neil Monkhouse made the pledge at last night's meeting of the full council where members decided to reject a recommendation that

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Crab Mill win

CRAB MILL had a fine 3-2 win at promotion favourites Bromsgrove Town in divisione one of the Bromsgrove Football League. Bromsgrove Football League Results: Worcester Nursing Minor Cup Second Round - Stourport Town 5 (Bellison 2, Eddery, Ash, Norgrove

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Swan and the vital role of arts funding

IN his letter (You Say, October 28) concerning the city council's grant to the Swan Theatre, Coun Ian Imray has unfortunately failed to acknowledge the pivotal role played by West Midlands Arts (WMA), the City's principal partner in the Swan's funding

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Latest reults

LATEST results from the Redditch and South Warkwickshire League Premier Division - South Redditch 0 Austin Ex-Apps 2 (P Taylor, R Stocks); Hymatic/Allendale 5 (Barrett 2, Danter, Cox, Perkins) Mayfly 1 (Ingram). Division One - Access Security 8 (Biddle

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Re-cycle more items to reduce waste problems

DEAR EDITOR - Having been away for a few days I have only just seen the Advertiser/Messenger and other letters in connection with rubbish collections. At the risk of overkill I cannot resist commenting on Rob Brown's letter. Having been resident in Catshill

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Spa town centre has been sacrificed to the builders

DEAR EDITOR - In granting planning permission for 96 flats on the site of the Worcestershire Hotel, Wychavon District Council have put the final nail in the coffin of Droitwich town centre. The policy of Wychavon, especially under its present leadersip

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Five Ways in trouble

Whipping boys Five Ways remain anchored at the foot of the table after their sixth straight league defeat at the weekend. The Masshouse side crashed 27-0 at home to a Cleobury Mortimer side who started the day as leaders before being displaced by Solihull

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Kingfishers in doldrums

REDDITCH slipped further into the mire with another defeat at the weekend but skipper Stan Hull said there were positives from a performance he described as the 'best of the season.' The visitors again went down by an 18 point margin, losing 23-5 at Worcester

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Woodrush whipped

WOODRUSH slumped to a 38-8 defeat to new leaders Solihull at the weekend and injured skipper Paul Moore admitted his side were outclassed. The Old Icknield Street side have not entered the North Midlands Cup and will send a weakened team to face West

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Kings on a cup mission

KINGS Norton hope to put their patchy league form behind them when they entertain lower league Solihull in the North Midlands Cup. The Midlands West Four South side will start as favourites on Saturday (ko 2.30pm) but are stuck in the bottom two of their

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Stourport Swifts FC - Fixtures and results - 2002/03

Sat July 20 Halesowen Harriers (a) 3-1 Mulders, Stanier, Dobson Sat July 27 Boldmere St Michaels (a) 1-4 Giddings Mon July 29 Stourbridge (h) 3-2 Giddings, Stanier, Fletcher Thurs Aug 1 Rushall Olympic (h) 2-3 Bailey, A Nicholls Sat Aug 3 Telford United

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AHSLEY READ - Striker

A promising young player who signed from Cirencester Town during summer 2002.

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An illuminating tale to lighten any child's dark

The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark by Jill Tomlinson. Illustrated by Paul Howard (Mammoth, £9.99) Like so many children's books on the market, this example tells a delightful story with exquisite illustrations, but there is a secret weapon which will

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Matt's high five

WYTHALL swimmer Matthew Wilkes is preparing for the National Short Course Championships after bagging five gold medals in Belgium. The Solihull SC star, who normally swims for Disability Sport England, represented England and Wales in the CP Sport side

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No cup shocks

DIVISION One sides West Midlands Phones A and B, Astwood Bank, Carter Retail and Droitwich Spa enjoyed 9-0 wins against second division opposition in the Clements Cup. Studley Road Bulldogs, Hillcrest, Studley Road Terriers, West Midlands Phones C and

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Wythall keep unbeaten run

UNBEATEN Wythall men's B team had a top-of-the-table clash with Kenilworth in Division Five. Paul Hill partnered Pete Thomas and they played Aldridge and Griffin first. The home pair began well and in the first set never let the visitors settle. They

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On the oche

ASTWOOD Bank Darts Club raised more than £100 for Cancer Research at a charity match pitting the men against the women. The men, skippered by Richard Smith edged home against wife Rose's women's team. The club plan to repeat the event next year.

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Cake treats

CAKE 2002, the sugarcraft and cake decorating show at the NEC in Birmingham, has everything the cake decorator could possibly want under one roof. The show, which runs on Saturday and Sunday, November 16 and 17, offers a wide range of cake decorating

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What's on guide

Wednesday, Nov 6 Show: The Diary of Anne Frank, Repertory Theatre, Broad Street, Birmingham, 7.30pm. Until Saturday November 9. Show: TalkSexShow, Arena Theatre, Wulfrana Street, Wolverhampton, 7.30pm. Until Thursday November 7. Show: Blood Brothers,

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100 years ago November 8, 1902

GEORGE Dyer, James Price, Herbert Stanley, Fred Kite and brothers George and Fred Insull appeared before Droitwich magistrates charged with letting off fireworks in Church Lane, Hanbury. All were fined 3/- (15p) except the Insulls who got away more lightly

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Halloween

IF you decipher the words "trick or treat" it actually means "give us money or we will damage your property," or some sort of mischief. So it is a form of blackmail. It is totally wrong for these kids to go around intimidating people, especially the elderly

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Comedy on the cards

A BROMSGROVE school is bringing a Shakespearean comedy to life later this month. Bromsgrove School is presenting A Midsummer Nights Dream by Stratford's most famous playwright, starting on November 13. The comedy, which will be staged at Routh Hall off

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We fell for a great lie

SO the President of the European Convention, Valery Giscard d'Estaing, has announced that his draft "Constitutional Treaty on the future of Europe" contains a proposal to change the name of the European Union to "The United States of Europe". Well, I

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It's time to reassess priorities

HOW inspiring of Coun Stephen Inman to suggest running the Swan Theatre with volunteers! Perhaps some other worthy activities, paid for at present by the city council could also be farmed out to the voluntary sector, and get the council out of the financial

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Grit and determination

Bromsgrove village residents have been given new grit bins with a twist. Worcestershire-based artists Alexander Johnson and Nina Coulson, from art group Yoke and Zoom, have created customised grit bins. These include a pair for Hagley Wood Lane, Clent

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Worcester Wolves fixtures & results - 2002/2003 season

SEPTEMBER 28 H Oxford NT 100-96 OCTOBER 05 A Oxford NT 84-108 12 H Plymouth NT 89-88 15 H Bath NT 83-72 20 A Bath NT 90-88 27 A Plymouth NT forfeited NOVEMBER 02 A Westminster NL 81-82 09 A Worthing NT 17 A Black Country NL 23 H North-West London NL 30

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Plans for DIY store move sparks row

An angry resident, who campaigned to move a town DIY store, has criticised a community leader for opposing its plans to relocate. Retreat DIY could move from Birmingham Road to Upper Cottage, off Old Birmingham Road, Lickey. Birmingham Road and School

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Pouring cold water on the Ulrika saga

THE name James Crossley probably doesn't ring many bells, but more people than would care to admit it remember Hunter from Gladiators. And his name has been splashed over the papers lately, with his former squeeze Ulrika Jonsson publishing her autobiography

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Prison medical centre plan

PLANS to improve healthcare at a prison near Bromsgrove look set to go ahead. Bromsgrove District Council's planners considered a proposed new medical unit at HMP Brockhill Prison, in Tardebigge, at their October meeting. The scheme includes building

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Power cut probe is launched

A PROBE has been launched to find out why it took almost five days to get power back in parts of Bromsgrove after last week's storms. Some areas of Worcestershire, including Fairfield and Wythall, were without electricity from the middle of the night

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Rising Phoenix-like from ashes

A VILLAGE club is rising like a phoenix from the ashes thanks to ambitious new owners. Membership at Stoke Prior Sports and Country Club has quadrupled since friends and now business partners, Wilf and Anne Goddard and Mandy and Steve Court, took over

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Residents lose chip shop battle

NEARLY 500 campaigning residents have lost their battle to stop a fish and chip shop being built on their estate. The take-away, planned for the controversial retail development in Mulberry Tree Hill, Droitwich Spa, has now been given the go-ahead - much

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Donations pour in for Lights of Love

DONATIONS of more than £1,200 has already flooded in for a Bromsgrove-based cancer charity, which launched its Christmas appeal just five days ago. The Primrose Hospice and Cancer Care Centre erected its huge Norwegian spruce in Bromsgrove town centre

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Christmas presents to turn your head

PEOPLE looking for present ideas in the run-up to Christmas should check out an exhibition by the Worcestershire Woodturners. The group will be holding its annual Christmas show and sale from Saturday, November 23, at Droitwich Spa Heritage Centre in

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Resident wants out of limelight

A BROMSGROVE man wants to take an axe to a 70 feet tall lime tree after spending a lifetime in its shadow. Angus Malcolm has stepped up his campaign to have the Old Birmingham Road tree felled after recent strong winds left it leaning precariously. The

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Jailed for raid on Spa farm

A hard-up father who took part in a raid on a stable block to buy his daughter clothes has been jailed for nine months. Leonard Butler, who had no previous convictions, drove one of the getaway cars after being promised £100-150, Worcester Crown Court

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School roads safety boost

NEARLY a quarter of a million pounds will be spent on improving the town's roads as part of a travel plan for Spa schools. The budget for 2002 to 2003 for new road schemes was recently approved by members of Worcestershire County Council and Spa pupils

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James jets off to Japan

A 13-YEAR-OLD Bromsgrove boy jets off to Japan next week for the football trip of a lifetime. James White, a pupil at Chadsgrove Special School, in Meadow Road, has been chosen as the Worcestershire representative to form an England team at an electric

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Medal haul for swimmers

THREE Bromsgrove swimmers have won medals of all colours, breaking records in the process, at a competition in Somerset. Claire and Laura Ashford and Joe Hobbis, all from Bromsgrove Swimming Club, picked up gold, silver and bronze medals in Street at

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Archers hit the target

TWO Droitwich Spa archers have fired their way to champion status despite being in the sport less than 12 months. Patti Vukomanovic and Simon Axon, from the town's archery society, claimed the Ladies and Gents Recurve titles respectively at the West Midlands

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Look after your injuries

BEING fit and able to compete at your best is surely the priority for all sportsmen? And it's certainly the case for Bromsgrove and Redditch 20km walker Sharon Tonks. The international athlete, who has competed at the Commonwealth Games and World Cup

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Walking to Stourport

FANS of Bromsgrove Rovers are holding a sponsored walk at the end of November. Supporters are walking the 13 miles from The Victoria Ground to Stourport Swifts for the Dr Martens Western clash on Saturday, November 30. The party will leave at 8am and

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Christians see red over 'devil' poster

A CHRISTMAS marketing campaign by a Kingfisher Centre shop has outraged Christians. Clothes chain TKMaxx is using the slogan 'Have a Devilish XXmas' on its posters in the run-up to the festive season. But the wording has drawn fire from Christians after

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Strike action hits college

NEW College lessons were disrupted yesterday as support, administrative and technical staff joined teaching colleagues for a national one-day strike. It was held in support of pay claims by both groups of workers. The current offer of a 2.3 per cent rise

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Man loses arm

A 36-year-old Kingfisher Centre workman had the lower part of his arm severed after an horrific accident involving a concrete mixer at about 9.30pm on Monday. The man was taken to the Alexandra Hospital but his lower arm, which was taken in by police,

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New store opens

COLOUR filled the skies when thousands of balloons were released to mark the opening of Debenhams. The store, which has created 250 jobs, was opened by Mayor Steve Wheeler with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday. The new store has designer fashion,

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Honouring our heroes

CHURCHES and the Royal British Legion are preparing for their services of Remembrance this weekend. Most churches in the area will hold their own service, the biggest likely to take place in Redditch at St Stephen's Church. A parade will leave Easemore

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Campaigners target Esso

FRIENDS of the Earth campaigners gathered outside a Redditch Esso service station on Saturday for a peaceful protest. The group, who stood outside the Winyates West garage, were campaigning against Esso's stance on climate change and the impact of global

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Centre opening longer

BATCHLEY'S new OAK Centre has proved so popular it has extended its hours less than two months after opening its doors for the first time. The centre in Cherry Tree Walk, which provides free courses including a drop-in IT facility, has added new sessions

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Town stalwart dies, 87

A WOMAN who played a big part in the community life of Redditch and who was invited to open the Bromsgrove Highway in 1979 has died, aged 87. Madge Guise, of Birchfield Road, was born on September 16, 1915. During the Second World War, she drove an ambulance

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Co-op may pull plug

THE Co-op Group is threatening to drop a £2.5 million scheme to redevelop Studley's Pioneer supermarket after accusing Stratford Council of planning delays. The move follows a recent meeting with district councillors who asked for design changes to the

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She Stoops to Conquer, The Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham

TO many historians and critics, the 18th century marks a hiatus in the development of the British theatre. The Elizabethan and Jacobean masters were long dead, the libidinous excesses of the Restoration were a fading memory and Shaw and Wilde were a few

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Fire drama at Co-op store

RETAINED fire crews from Studley and Alcester dealt with an electrical fire at Studley's Pioneer Co-op store in the early hours of Thursday. The alarm was raised just after 2am and crews arrived to find the store heavily smoke logged. After making a forced

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Centre stays shut

STUDLEY Leisure Centre may not be open until Easter when it closes for repairs on Monday. Stratford Council and Studley Pool Management (SPM), which runs the centre, are mutually terminating their contract after SPM claimed it lost up to £100,000 in running

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Gr-eight Cross sink Redditch

HEADLESS Cross Ladies continued their imperious league form by crushing arch rivals Redditch United Women 8-0 at the weekend. Former Redditch striker Mandy Ellicott hit a hat-trick in her first return to her old club to take her tally to 28 in nine matches

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On song for firefighters

A CONCERT held by Redditch Welsh Society was music to the ears of Redditch firefighters. The group asked a male voice choir to perform in the town to raise money for their chosen charity for this year - the national Firefighters Benevolent Fund. Last

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6/11/02 - Moody speaks out over sacking shock

TOM Moody today put the record straight over Worcestershire's decision to replace Graeme Hick as captain. The County's director of cricket said: "The issues surrounding the decision by the club to change direction with its captaincy have been somewhat

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They're on top of the world!

AN event celebrating global citizenship at Redditch Youth House has been hailed a huge success. The Ipsley Street venue presented Around the World in One Day last Wednesday, which was organised as part of Youth Work Week. Worcestershire County Council

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Food Thai-m

THE town's first Thai restaurant is set to open its doors on Friday and its owners are guaranteeing to an authentic experience. The new restaurant, named Barn Thai, on Unicorn Hill, is a joint venture between Suti Kitkanna and Akil Choudary, who already

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Sparkling start to week-long festival

UP to 30 Hindu women and children brought food and presents to celebrate an Indian festival which runs all this week. Diwali, the Festival of Lights, was celebrated at the All Women's House in Smallwood on Friday and was enjoyed by everyone who took part

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They're on right lines

MOBILE retailer The Carphone Warehouse today expanded its operations by agreeing a £65m deal to buy fixed-line telecoms group Opal Telecom. The group said the move would allow it to offer domestic fixed-line services and gave it a platform to expand into

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Alcester Civic Society

THE speaker at the September meeting was Martin Gough, owner of Alcester's historic Minerva Mill. He spoke about the history of the mill and its current state of development into a 21st century facility for the town - the Minerva Mill Innovation Centre

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Pearl guides

Girl guiding units in Redditch and across Worcestershire have rallied together to raise £20,000 for the Acorns Three Counties Appeal to build a new children's home. All 400 districts were set a challenge by County Commissioner Jo Dowling and asked to

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Alcester & District Local History Society

AT the October meeting, speaker Les Gwilliams gave a talk on The North Cotswolds. He focused on the domestic architecture of the region, featuring some well-love places such as Chipping Camden, Snowshill, Weston-sub-Edge, Stanway and Stanton, to name

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For the record...

A PROJECT to record the stories and experiences of Redditch's rich industrial past before it is too late is forging ahead. Redditch Manufacturers' Association (RMA), started the project to help save and expand Forge Mill Museum after it was threatened

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High flyer Sue is Richard's winner

A COSMETICS manager from Redditch was shaken to her foundations when she was treated to an evening of luxury by Sir Richard Branson. Sue Bisp, who works for the direct selling business Virgin Cosmetics, was invited to the glittering Branson High Flyers

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Bordesley Historical Society

THE winter season began with an entertaining talk by the senior guide at Coughton Court, Mrs Ann Fox. The Throckmorton family has occupied the house from the early 15th century. There was a house on the site in Saxon times and parts of the present building

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Tourist worker earns award

THE director of the Heart of England Tourist board was in Redditch on Monday to present a NVQ certificate to a tourist worker. David Moyser made the trip to present a tourist information assistant at the towns tourist information centre Owen Goodgame

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Poet prizes

Prizes will be presented to the word-wise winners of the Cheltenham and Gloucester Poetry Competition on Friday. Mayor Steve Wheeler will hand out the awards from 11am at the building society's Redditch branch.

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Book is found

Redditch features in a new book called Lost Railways of Herefordshire and Worcestershire by historian Leslie Oppitz. The old Redditch to Evesham railway line is discussed in the book, together with many other now abandoned lines in the area. The book,

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Solihull & District Orchid Society

ON October 5, Ian Butterfield gave a talk and slideshow on pleiones. Members were provided with glasses as the slides were in 3D and were excellent. The colours of the new hybrids were breathtaking and they should be on sale in the next two to three years

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Village is to be avoided

MOTORISTS are being asked to avoid Alvechurch when work to install a traffic calming scheme begins. Alvechurch Parish Council clerk Gill Lungley said the work, set to start this month, was expected to create disruption and asked people to use the bypass

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Hats off to Charlotte

A STUDLEY guide is almost set for the trip of a lifetime to Australia after frantic fund-raising efforts paid off. Charlotte Mears, 15, of Badbury Gardens, is one of just six guides in the country to be picked to take part in an international jamboree

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Doctor is in

Dr Donald Hunt on organ and the Elgar Chorale will be performing at St John the Baptist Church in Feckenham on Friday, November 22. Tickets cost £9.50 to include refreshments and wine. For details, call Clare Furey on 894849.

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Starry show

A history talk and slide show entitled The Russia of the Stars will be given on Monday by Graham Phillips at Wythall Forum. The talk, at Wythall Library, May Lane, Hollywood, starts at 7.45pm and admission is 75p.

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It's fun to be in the...

YOUNGSTERS aged five to 14 had a week of fun when they took part in Redditch YMCA's half-term playscheme last week. The playscheme included trips to Birmingham's ThinkTank museum and Abbey Stadium and centre-based sports, arts and crafts activities.

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NEW and old

Past and present HDAP New College students will meet on Tuesday, November 12 to exchange ideas and experience. The event will be held at the Old Library Restaurant from 7pm and will give guest speaker Sally Hanbury the chance to talk about her career

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Site sighting

A site visit takes place tomorrow to provide an update on how NEW College's £9 million redevelopment project is progressing. Warwickshire-based company Pettifer Construction Limited has organised the tour for members of the College Corporation.

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Tops for sir

A former Redditch man has scooped a prestigious science teacher of the year award sponsored by the Government and BT. David Mason, 40, formerly of Lodge Park, now teaches at a school in Cumbria. He attended The Leys High School, now Kingsley College,

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100 years old and still helping others

FOUR generations of a Worcester family will be raising a glass with a sprightly city woman who celebrates her 100th birthday today. Blanche Harrison will be joining family and friends, some of whom have travelled from Poland, to celebrate her milestone

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She kissed us all goodnight, and then we heard a bang

A POPULAR widow who had been looking after her friends' pub died after falling down the stairs. Ann Evans was minding the Alma Tavern, in Droitwich Road, Worcester, with her partner of two years, Keith Bradley, when she died, in the early hours of Saturday

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'Fresh start' addict unable to resist city's cheap drugs

A HEROIN addict who moved to Worcester to kick his habit went shoplifting after buying cheap drugs on his first day in the city, a court heard. Anthony Portman, aged 23, was offered heroin at a low price while staying at St Paul's Hostel, Worcester magistrates

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Battle has been won

ANXIETY that had been building for 10 months was brought to an end in a matter of seconds in the chamber of the House of Commons. Shortly before making a formal announcement at 4pm yesterday, Home Office Minister Bev Hughes caught the eye of Peter Luff

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Parking's becoming a problem

RESIDENTS in Warndon Villages are calling for more parking restrictions because the number of cars parking in their roads is creating a hazard. The parking problems in Nightingale Avenue and Hoskyns Avenue have been created by employees at the new offices

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Light at the end of the tunnel for roundabout

AFTER almost a decade of campaigning, it looks like Warndon Parish Council's trouble with overgrown roundabouts might be coming to an end. The chairman of the council, Maurice Clutterbuck, said the plants and trees on all but one of the roundabouts in

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Drivers wanted to help disabled

KIND-hearted volunteers are being urged to help a community transport scheme, which provides transport for disabled people. Worcester Wheels is looking for volunteer car and mini-bus drivers. The scheme, which is based in The Tything, Worcester, provides

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School cracks up in quake

A WORCESTERSHIRE school is picking up the pieces after suffering earthquake damage. The quake, centred on Dudley, which hit the Midlands around four weeks ago, left classrooms in Droitwich Spa High School with that sinking feeling. The music block on

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Threat to village hall Lotto cash

VILLAGE halls in Worcestershire and Herefordshire are under threat after funding from the National Lottery's Community Fund was slashed by nearly half. MP for Leominster, Bill Wiggin, is supporting a recent lobby of parliament by the National Village

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Classical music treats at anniversary concert

THE music of Bach, Beethoven and Haydn will be performed to perfection at a town concert this weekend. Classical music lovers can look forward to the third visit from the Quatuor Mosaiques to the Spadesbourne Suite this Friday night. The concert is part

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Council backs down on cemetery windmill ban

GUIDELINES are to be sent to families who were told to remove memorial windmills from their children's graves at Hereford Cemetery. The letters, which are due to be sent to families during the next two weeks, follow meetings on Monday. between parents

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Medics' advise to take 'flu jab

PEOPLE across Herefordshire and Worcestershire most vulnerable to the 'flu bug are being urged to protect themselves against the disease as winter approaches. Influenza kills thousands across the UK each year, and can lead to other fatal illnesses including

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Strike off as talks go on

THE first eight-day firefighters strike due to start today has been cancelled by the Fire Brigades Union while crucial money talks continue. But the union has now set a new 48-hour strike date if talks break down. The new date is from 6pm on November

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Kids are Sophie's choice

SCALLYWAGS pre-school children cooked up a storm with some celebrity chefs. The Alcester tots scooped a brand new computer in the first Stratford Food Festival at the weekend after they were named finalists in the mini master chef competition. Celebrity

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Cyclist killed in lorry crash

POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a cyclist was killed in a collision with a lorry near Evesham Country Park. Officers were called to the A46, between the park and Bidford, at 2.48am today, following the accident involving a Leyland DAF articulated

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Up hills and down dales

With over 100 miles of footpaths in the Malvern Hills, it would be difficult to exhaust the walking possibilities. Even so, it's always pleasant to combine a walk in the Malverns with the lovely countryside which lies just to the west, where gentle limestone

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Land plan rejected

ALCESTER may have lost out on plans to incorporate land from neighbouring parishes after the parish review was completed. Suggested changes by Alcester Town Council - which included taking land from Coughton, Arrow and all of Kinwarton into the parish

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Honouring our heroes

ALCESTER and the surrounding areas will fall silent on Sunday as people remember and honour the fallen heroes of the First and Second World Wars Alcester. In Alcester, the town's branch of the Royal British Legion has organised a festival of remembrance

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Organ is no pipe dream

A VICTORIAN pipe organ is up for sale at a Wootton Wawen church. St Benedict's RC Presbytery in the village has finally been given approval by the Birmingham Archdiocese to get rid of the 19th Century pipe organ which hasn't been used since Christmas.

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Help spend that million!

ALCESTER businesses have been urged to attend a crucial meeting next week to discuss how they are set to benefit from a £1m boost for the town. The Chronicle reported last week how Advantage Alcester was given £500,000 to spend over three years by Advantage

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Who will determine centre's exact needs?

ONE of the items on the agenda for Tuesday's crucial meeting is a town centre enhancement study. Advantage Alcester should have completed interviews with two consultants bidding to get the study by this week. The consultant will then construct their survey

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Studley ready

STUDLEY manager Mark Chambers has done his homework on Saturday's Vase opponents Heanor Town courtesy of former Blues star Steve Cooper. Cooper, a regular fixture in the Bees lineup, coaches alongside former Cardiff and Mansfield striker Phil Stant and

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The strife of Brian

FECKENHAM striker Brian Powell has been handed a mammoth 112 day ban after his sending off at Pershore. The much-travelled striker, who won the ICIS Premier Golden Boot last season, verbally abused the match official three times after his sending off

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Shooting partners fire blank

ALVECHURCH goal twins Keith Rostill and Brett Fitzpatrick both failed to find the net in Saturday's match against Handrahan Timbers for the first time this season. But goals from Wayne Dugmore and Paul Smith wrapped up the points in a 2-1 win and kept

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Driver starts appeal fight

Court Correspondent A MOTORIST who knocked down and killed a pensioner as she reversed out of her drive won the first round of an Appeal Court fight to have her sentence declared 'manifestly excessive.' Helen Pawlowska, of Greenfields Road, Redditch,

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I spy a super double delight

Review: Single Spies at the Festival Theatre, Malvern. AS to be expected with anything from the pen of Alan Bennett these two separate stories are both wry, witty and wonderful observations of a time long since gone. The stories are based on real events

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06/11/02 - Baggies-bound?

PREMIERSHIP battlers West Bromwich Albion are on the trail of Bromsgrove Rovers' rising star Ashley Read. The Baggies have offered the 18-year-old a one-week trial beginning on Monday, November 18. Read, contracted to the Victoria Ground club, would command

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05/11/02 - Crisp leaves

MARK Crisp has left Bromsgrove Rovers for Studley on a permanent basis. Crisp, at the Victoria Ground during Rovers' Conference days, has already spent several weeks with the Midland Alliance side.

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How can bus company do this?

I FELT I had to write to complain about the way that First Bus has treated passengers. I am disgusted the Redditicket 2 has been withdrawn, especially without any kind of warning. My daughter uses that pass to get home from school each day. I will now

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Who wants to lie there and think of England?

IT appears that once again the older generation who are not in touch with today's open-minded society are imposing Victorian principles on those who are not embarrassed by sex and want to have the freedom of choice to shop where they want. This is not

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Seeing red at band's first gig

What do you get when you take one ex-beauty queen, a teacher and a guy who has played in bands for over 20 years? A six-piece band called Transmission Red is the answer, who perform soul and blues numbers with a party atmosphere. It may come as no surprise

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Howard is an inspiration!

BEING a regular reader of your letters section and only just having come out of therapy, I've become an avid fan of one of your regular contributors, namely Howard Bellaby. So much so I am considering naming my future offspring either Howard or, if it's

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Magic spell didn't work

I HAVE written before praising the Palace Theatre so I think it is only fair that I send a letter when things are not so good. I went to see Autumn Magic on Friday October 11. It has taken me so long to write because I have been unwell. I believe this

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Mini marvels target saloon series

WYTHALL driver Barry Pearson is considering a change of scene after successfully trying his hand at managing a team. Pearson started the season as a driver in the VW Vento's series but after problems with the car he took up an offer to put togther a team

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Tom wants more

REDDITCH skipper Tom Hiles wants his side to continue their freescoring antics at Kynock at the weekend. Hiles was on the scoresheet twice as a strong Stafford side were routed 5-1 at Bromsgrove Road at the weekend. Memories of defeat to Oswestry were

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100 years ago

November 8, 1902 Crabbs Cross Salvation Army - A musical evening followed by a sale of work was held in the Barracks on Monday. Mr W R John, Astwood Bank presided - in opening the meeting the chairman said he hoped the sale of work would be a success.

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50 years ago

November 7, 1952 Putting Redditch on the map is a phrase beloved of those determined that the town shall achieve the notice they feel is due to it. But there was a time when Redditch literally was not on the map at all. Just such a map was discovered

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Inflaming the issue

COMMENTS made by the directors of the company bidding to run an animal incinerator in Astwood Bank have sparked anger from villagers. Keith Enston, of Astwood Bank Against Incinerator (ABAI), said statements made by Dr Bernard Acton and Jean Wharmby,

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Decision date on licence for burner

A DECISION on whether or not to grant a licence to operate an animal carcass incinerator in Astwood Bank will be made on Monday, December 2, it has been announced. The applicants behind the plans agreed on Friday to allow more time before a decision was

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Military display will help appeal

A NATIONAL re-enactment group is to stage a huge event in Worcester to raise cash for Acorns Children's Hospice Trust. The Fairfax Battalia, which has members throughout the country, will perform a military drill display to music at The Commandery. Organiser

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Fashion aid for the fund

BBC Hereford & Worcester presenters joined models from a city college to sashay down the catwalk and raise cash for Acorns Children's Hospice appeal. Fashion students from Worcester College of Technology showed their own creations , while staff from

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Smartie work by the Cubs

WORCESTER youngsters have been drumming up money for charity after packing as many items as possible into a small box of Smarties. Blue pack Cubs of 1st Worcester Scout Group has been getting sponsorship for each item to raise money for Acorns. The items

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Marianne's compassion

A KIND-HEARTED schoolgirl has raised funds for a new Worcester hospice after learning that it was specifically for youngsters. Marianne Johnson, aged nine, has been collecting cash and handing it over to good causes since she was six years old. "If she

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Marianne's compassion

A KIND-HEARTED schoolgirl has raised funds for a new Worcester hospice after learning that it was specifically for youngsters. Marianne Johnson, aged nine, has been collecting cash and handing it over to good causes since she was six years old. "If she

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6/11/02 - 'Shots' spark fond memories

CITY'S FA Trophy clash with Aldershot Town on November 30 invokes memories of an earlier cup meeting when 'The Shots' were still a Football League side. In 1983 Nobby Clark's Worcester side knocked the then Fourth Division club out of the FA Cup first

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Kidnap pair sentenced

Court correspondent Two youths who forced a Redditch teenager to steal beer for them from off-licences have been sentenced to more than nine years' custody. Keith Langton and Matthew Bodwell blackmailed 18-year-old Wesley Martin into the thefts and broke

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Name to be chosen

NINE potential names for a new community facility in Church Hill will be debated by Redditch councillors tonight. Church Hill's First, Church Hill Healthy Lifestyle Centre and Church Hill Wellbeing Centre have all been suggested as new names for the former

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Curiously savage

WYTHALL Theatre Company presents a comic tale of morality at the Palace Theatre next week. The Curious Savage, by John Patrick, examines a world that seems motivated at times only by greed and dishonesty. When Mrs Savage proposes to donate her $10 million

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Ford's still fit for the tough roles

He's used to being in the spotlight, but for once in his life it wasn't Harrison Ford getting all the attention during his recent trip to Britain, but the blonde actress with him. It was supposed to be a promotional trip to publicise his latest movie,

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4/11/02 - Away draw in cup

UNITED'S reward for the thrilling 5-4 win at Redditch last Tuesday is another away tie in the second round of the Dr Martens League Cup. The Robins could come up against former loan strikers, Leroy May and Richard Leadbetter on Tuesday, November 26 when

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30/10/02 - Clean sheet a priority

WITHOUT an away win in the Dr Martens League Western Division this season, Evesham face a tough task to break their duck at Racing Club Warwick on Saturday. Although languishing next to bottom of the table, Warwick have yet to lose at home, winning one

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24/10/02 - Death of club stalwart

ONE of the four men who helped put together a financial package to save Evesham United ten years ago has died. Les Malins, who was 76, was still heavily involved at Common Road right until the time of his death last Thursday. Along with his wife Sandra

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Evesham Utd 2, Solihull Boro 1

Saturday, October 26, 2002 NEW signings Wesley Joyce and Paul Hunter were quick to make their mark as Evesham recorded a sixth straight league win at Common Road last Saturday. The pair, signed from Bromyard Town and Hinckley United respectively, were

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Redditch Utd 2, Evesham Utd 1

Tuesday, October 22, 2002 HOW many times have the United faithful witnessed Tuesday's scenario? A goal to the good and in control. A succession of chances go begging and then a goal is given away and the opposition go on to win. That was the latest tale

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Smith tipped for Hick job

BEN Smith is today emerging as red-hot favourite to replace Graeme Hick as Worcestershire County Cricket Club's new captain. Speculation about who will take over is reaching fever pitch after Hick's shock sacking as skipper. The County, however, have

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Moody speaks out over sacking shock

TOM Moody today put the record straight over Worcestershire's decision to replace Graeme Hick as captain. The County's director of cricket said: "The issues surrounding the decision by the club to change direction with its captaincy have been somewhat

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Stourport run over

Stourport manager Dave Titterton refused to criticise his players after Swifts crashed to a 3-0 defeat against visitors Taunton Town. It was the first defeat in five Dr Martens Western Division games for the new Walshes Meadow boss and provided the visitors

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Woman admits benefit fraud

A LAKESIDE woman has been give a 12-month conditional discharge after pleading guilty to benefit fraud at Droitwich Magistrates Court last Wednesday. Donna Saunders, of Kingsley Avenue, admitted claiming housing benefit and council tax benefit as a single

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Simon off to India

A Worcester student is preparing to travel to India as part of the England cricket team for the blind. Simon Ledwith, aged 15 and a pupil at RNIB New College, flies out at the end of this month for the World Cricket Cup for the Blind, to be held in Chennai

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Key players sidelined

BROMSGROVE RFC First XV's injury list continues to make grim reading ahead of their Powergen Intermediate Cup Third Round clash at Sutton Coldfield this Saturday. Coach David Stout is still without seven first choice players and the situation doesn't

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2/11/02 - Wolves open league campaign

WORCESTER Wolves kick-off their National Basketball League Division One campaign with a tough trip to Westminster Warriors tonight (8pm). Wolves, fresh from reaching the National Trophy quarter-finals, will have to contend with a hostile home crowd as

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District tries to clean up its act

MOVES to clean up the Bromsgrove Council district have been put forward to health and leisure scrutiny committee members. Options include providing a communal skip, linked with clean-up days, expanding the Slim Your Bin initiative, introducing bulky waste

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Pilot hopes for smooth flight

PILOT Theatre Company celebrates its 21st birthday with Jim Cartwright's contemporary classic Road at Worcester's Swan Theatre next week. A hugely important piece at the time it was written in 1986, Road, which runs from Tuesday until Saturday, November

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Toyah rolls in

BIRMINGHAM'S own Toyah Wilcox stars in a new production of classic comedy musical Calamity Jane which opens next week. The show whip cracks its way to the Alexandra Theatre on Tuesday. The show features songs including The Deadwood Stage, Windy City,

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Re-Joyce in a top show

THE warmth, wit and gentle humour of the late Joyce Grenfell will be recreated by a young new comedienne at the Palace Theatre on Saturday. The Best of Joyce Grenfell, featuring Maria Gibbs, is captivating theatre audiences all over the country and has

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Injuries are taking their toll

INJURY-ravaged Bromgrove RFC First XV succumbed to their third defeat of the season after a 25-19 defeat at the hands of Leicester Lions at Finstall Park. David Stout was hit with selection problems again last Saturday and was forced to send out a 15

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Actor Richard dons fat suit for great comic creation Falstaff

FAT knight Sir John Falstaff is one of Shakespeare's great comic creations - a man who justifies the description of larger-than-life That will certainly be the case when actor Richard Cordery dons his padding for the Royal Shakespeare Company's new production

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Colts victory

BROMSGROVE RFC Colts returned to winning ways with a 19-12 victory over Leicester Lions at Finstall Park. A powerful display paid off on 20 minutes when, following good forward driving, Steve Blackburn touched down near the posts for an unconverted try

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Music trip

A century of theatre music will reverberate around the Ecumenical Centre at a fund-raising event for Where Next. Theatre Nights - a hundred years of music for the theatre performed by the Gemini Choir is on Saturday, November 30, from 7.30pm. Tickets

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Disney on Ice Beauty and the Beast NIA, Birmingham (Until November 10)

Five star SICK of sleaze? Tired of opening your newspaper to yet another sordid tale, then get in touch with your innocence and go and see this show. If you have no children of your own just borrow some and lose your cynicism in a world of fairy tales

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Stripped Christina Aguilera

Four star HER latest single - Dirrty says it all really and judging by the accompanying video this pop diva is not exactly an angel in her butt-showing trousers and string bikini top. I absolutely love the song though, Christina just screams attitude

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Showtime (12)

Three star ROBERT De Niro and Eddie Murphy play cops Mitch and Trey, stars of a reality based TV show. De Niro is the reluctant star. He's a great cop but terrible performer while what Murphy lacks in policing skills he more than makes up for in entertainment

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What's On Guide

Thursday, November 7 Blood Brothers, Birmingham Hippodrome. Until November 16. Tickets from 0870 730 1234. Dutch National Ballet, Malvern Theatres. Until November 9. Tickets from 01684 892277. Apocryphobia, Civic Hall, Stratford. Tickets from 01789 414513

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Church meet

Father Keith Harrison will be speaker at a meeting of Worcester Diocesan Assembly at St Peter's Church in Crabbs Cross, tomorrow from 7.30pm.

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Unbeaten run is ended

BARNT Green Spartak's 14-match unbeaten league run came to an end with a 3-1 defeat at West Midlands Police Reserves. It is only the second loss of their campaign, the other coming on the opening day of the season back in August. Spartak took the lead

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Ladies score eight

FAIRFIELD Villa Ladies got back to winning ways with an excellent 8-3 win at Ross Town. Villa, who remain second behind Headless Cross in West Midlands division one, scored after four minutes through Sarah Lewis. Anna Morgan scored either side of Kaye

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Poor performance

DROITWICH Spa A put in a poor performance to lose 4-1 at home to Bretforton Old Boys in the Worcestershire Premier League last Saturday. Spa were 2-0 down at the break before Russell Carlin pulled one back on 65 minutes. But Richard Goode's side fell

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6/11/02 - Highwaymen in one pin win

FOR the third consecutive week the Highwaymen of Wednesday Division One of the E&E Engineering sponsored Worcester Friendly Skittle League have played in a game decided by a single pin. Highwaymen opened up with 84, but the Castings took the initiative

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5/11/02 - Greaves steers Tearaways home

A. Greaves of the Tearaways registered the highest individual score so far this season in the Worcester & District Skittle League. He scored 55 in helping his side to their first win of the season with a six-pin away victory against "C" Siders. Divisional

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4/11/02 - Crown take the honours

CROWN Regulars pipped Kingfishers 424-422 in Monday Division One of the Worcester Friendly Skittle League. Full scores are: DIVISION ONE Kingfishers 422(5) (C. Davis 50), Crown Regulars 424(15) (E. Collins 47). Wasps 332(3) (R. Protherow 37), Hillbillies

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Tony Brunn's Angling round-up

THERE were 37 junior open contenders taking advantage of the holidays at Moorlands Farm on Tuesday. Fishing at peg 26 on the Silver Carp pool was 13-year-old Matthew Machin (Stourport) who pole fished red maggots to take a winning 31-3-0 of Carp. Second

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Where to fish

BIRMINGHAM Anglers Association has booked the following waters. Saturday, November 9. River Avon, Bidford left bank; Marlcliff A; Cleve Prior 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8 Parks Farm; Wick 7; Pershore left bank; Pershore right bank, Eckington. River Salwarpe, Claines

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Time to improve theatre-resident relationships

DEAR EDITOR - As chairman of the Norbury Theatre I must take issue with your anonymous writer who is 'looking forward to the final curtain.' I am sorry that your correspondent has experienced difficulties but let it be remembered that members of the Norbury

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Bus service is failing!

DEAR EDITOR - I am the proprietor of Droitwich Spa Taxis and I read with great interest that the First Bus Company is cutting its bus services and number 19 and 20 routes in Droitwich Spa because it cannot recruit drivers, and their ageing fleet of buses

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Travel sick Alcester

ALCESTER face a monumental task if they are to win the title after losing 23-6 to Trinity Guild at the weekend. Pat Lamb's side slipped to third after losing to the only side to take a point off leaders Manor Park this season. The Kings Coughton side

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Win Birmingham Tattoo tickets

THE organisers of this year's Birmingham Tattoo will mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations by staging the annual event at the NIA in her honour. And the Shuttle/Times and News has joined forces with the NIA to offer readers the chance to win one

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Touching down for best of both worlds

WHAT do you do if you want to focus on becoming a professional rugby player, but get a degree as well? For many youngsters across the county a choice has to be made. But 18 teenagers at University College Worcester are pioneering a new course set to give

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Poole takes prize

Mavin Poole, of Accurate Cutting Services Ltd, won the RMA golf day at Callow Hill GC. Ian Oliver, of Mettis Group Ltd was second and won the best nett for 18 handicap and under with Les Perkins taking top spot for the 19 and under. Steve Spencer of Select

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Barn Dance

GRAB your cowboy hat and boots and side-step down to a barn dance in Bromsgrove this weekend. Residents are invited to a barn dance with American supper at the Spadesbourne Suite this Saturday night. The Burcot Lane event will start at 8pm and tickets

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50 years ago November 8, 1952

BOB McArthur, a 26-year-old American, stopped off briefly in Bromsgrove while making a round the world tour on his bike for bet which if he succeeded would land him a cool $10,000. His specially adapted cycle which was equipped with a harpoon for spearing

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25 years ago

BROMSGROVE and Droitwich was enjoying a new homes boom with several new estates presently under construction. In Grayshott Close, Bromsgrove, new semi-detached houses were on the market for £12,175 while at Friarscroft four bedroomed detached properties

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Bromsgrove Railway Club

THE November meeting of the Bromsgrove Railway Club sees a return visit by photographer David Eatwell from Bedfordshire with a slide show talk entitled "From Long Beach to Long Island". David has been travelling the world for many years taking railway

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Blair blind to Franco-German treachery

IAN Morris (You Say, October 19) claims that British MEPs have no clout in the European Parliament. I suggest he comes and sees some us at work. British Conservative MEPs, currently numbering 36 after a recent defection of a Labour MEP, are the largest

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National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens

THE council's 2002 Ron Sidwell lecture was given by Chris Bales, curator of the RHS Garden and Rosemoor. He gave members an insight into the plants from New Zealand. Despite a hiccup with the projector, the group still enjoyed an evening of slides and

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Phoenix Dance Club

THE Phoenix Dance Club was formed in April 2002 on the closure of the Newton Works Sports and Social Club (Garringtons). It is run on a non-profit basis. No membership is required and it is run for the general public who enjoy ballroom and sequence dancing

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Think of Worcester's citizens

THE City of Worcester is one of the best places to live in the UK, not least because of its cultural heritage and artistic diversity. What a shame that the city councillors cannot see this. Their proposal to cut the Swan Theatre grant, thereby precipitating

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Salwarpe WI

A GOOD number of members were welcomed to Salwarpe WI's October meeting which was chaired by Morag Ford in the absence of Margaret Donnelly who was away helping her sick daughter. The subject of the future collection from Post Offices of pensions was

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My fear of Luftwaffe

JOHN Phillpott (Evening News, October 28) spent an idyllic country childhood in the 1950s. I did likewise in the 1940s. Being born in 1937, I lived through the war years. I can remember vividly cuddling up in my village bed whenever a plane went over