A SPARK of romance flickered in the Big Brother house as Malvern girl Nush moved in for a kiss with fellow housemate Ray. During a boozy night in the reward room, made up to look like an Irish pub, the pair got into a groping dance to the sound of U2'
IT'S a dog's life for one hapless hound with a passion for cornflakes! The Jack Russell terrier forgot to paws for thought before leaping in front of Evening News reporter Leda Reynolds' car as she drove near the Lickey Hills in Worcestershire on Saturday
WORCESTERSHIRE hunts are planning to bring dozens of working dogs to Westminster tomorrow to protest against an outright ban on hunting. The Countryside Agency lobby is due to take place in Parliament Square during the Third Reading of the controversial
A FATHER was beaten up on his own doorstep by his daughter's boyfriend, Worcester Crown Court was told. Ronald Weaver, who was nearly 60, was attacked by Mark Nicklin who had been drinking following the break-up of a nine-year relationship. Nicklin had
TOURISM in the Malvern Hills district is thriving. The biggest rise is in Upton-upon-Severn, where the tourist information centre received 6,486 visits last month, new figures show. This was buoyed by the annual jazz festival, which attracted thousands
DEFENDANTS facing trial in West Mercia magistrates courts are most likely to appear in front of a Conservative party supporter, new figures reveal today. Now, renewed efforts are to be made to ensure that magistrates better reflect the country's social
FIFTY years ago this week, huge celebrations swept the country as people marked the Queen's coronation at Westminster Abbey. The Coronation was on June 2, 1953, and as part of the festivities, the residents of Yvonne Road in Crabbs Cross decided to get
June 5, 1953 BY the death of Mr C Disney Milward JP, which occurred suddenly in the early hours of last Friday morning, Redditch and district has lost a personality who was an acknowledged leader of the town's traditional industry and in many areas of
May 30, 1903 A PAINFUL feeling was caused in Redditch on Tuesday afternoon on the rumour gaining currency that an employee of the Enfield Cycle Company had been killed in a motor accident. Subsequent enquiries, however, led to the conclusion that the
May 23, 1903 Trooper Albert Andrews, of the Warwickshire Yeomanry Cavalry, met with a rather nasty accident on Monday night upon returning to his home in Beoley Road from a parade in Henley-in-Arden. Somehow or other, he got thrown from his horse between
May 22, 1953 Studley Coronation Committee is within reach of raising its target figure of £300, it is reported this week. The funds benefited by about £20 as a result of a concert held in Entaco Hall on Tuesday. The event was organised by Miss Stephanie
May 19, 1978 Home Secretary Mr Merlyn Rees paid a surprise unannounced visit to the Redditch area last week. Mr Rees spent two hours talking to staff and inmates at Hewell Grange borstal at Tardebigge. Mr Rees said he had come to see the "neighbourhood
May 16, 1903 Charge of Attempted Suicide - Jacob Ruchstall, a Swiss, was charged in custody with attempting to commit suicide by shooting himself in the head with a revolver on April 28th. Mary Ann Tongue, wife of Albert Tongue, 49 Unicorn Hill, Redditch
May 8, 1953 The scheme to replace Studley Fire Station - said to be over 100 years old - by the erection of a new one may be unavoidably delayed because the Home Office has written to say that the total estimated cost of the programmes for 1953-54 submitted
May 5, 1978 The church is like an engine and every part should be automatically oiled to work properly, Prince Philip said in Redditch yesterday. Speaking to an invited audience of church and community leaders at the Town Ecumenical Centre, the Duke of
April 25, 1903 Studley Baptist Chapel - A most successful musical evening was held on Thursday evening in aid of the funds of the above chapel. There was a large attendance which thoroughly appreciated the programme, each item being exceedingly well rendered
April 21, 1978 TWO men had a miracle escape when their light aircraft made a dramatic forced landing in a field 200 yards from a busy main road. The single engine Cessna 150 made the landing in a field close by the A435 Alcester to Birmingham Road at
April 4, 1903 Alvechurch - An accident of a serious character befell George Miles, a youth employed at the Patent Brick Works on Monday. The youth was employed to fill a hopper with marl but having a few minutes to spare he descended onto forbidden ground
April 3, 1953 The sudden closure in the middle of last week of the bus shelters round Church Green and their demolition on succeeding days has been sufficient to remind people that a new bus terminus between Red Lion Street and George Street has been
March 21, 1903 James Gardiner, labourer, Feckenham, pleaded guilty to being drunk on the highway at Crabbs Cross on February 21 and admitted a previous conviction within 12 months. Pc Timms said he saw defendant helplessly drunk being assisted by his
March 13, 1953 The funeral of the late Mrs Harriet Millar Lane, widow of the late Mr A C Lane, the Post Office, Bradley Green, took place at Bradley Parish Church last week. Mrs Lane, who was 87 years of age, came to live at Bradley Green 16 years ago
March 6, 1953 Flying Officer Ronald Taylor, of Beoley Road, Redditch, was killed when the Meteor aircraft he was flying crashed in Wiltshire last week. Mr Taylor, who was 24 years of age and the only son of Mrs E and the late Mr Taylor, joined the RAF
February 28, 1903 Astwood Bank - Death of Mrs T Hollington. We regret to record that Mrs Thomas Hollington, of Astwood Court, died rather suddenly on Thursday night in the last week. The deceased lady who had but recently recovered from a serious illness
February 27, 1953 Because of the clean food campaign which was launched in Redditch some time ago and because local shop keepers were asked to keep dogs out of their shops, Redditch councillors think it would be inadvisable to permit a dog show to be
February 20, 1953 Residents of Watery Lane, Redditch, are dissatisfied with the name of their road because among other things, it is too depressing. They think that a much more suitable name would be Ipsley Drive. They will have their wish next month
February 13, 1953 Redditch councillors are puzzled because the drainage system on the football field at the Valley Stadium - Redditch FC's ground - is still not taking the water away quickly enough despite the fact that about £1,700 has been spent on
January 31, 1903 AMOST successful ball promoted by Dr Bodger and Mr J G Green, Manor House, in aid of the Military Band, took place in the Public Hall on Thursday. The hall was most elaborately decorated with flowers, flags and art muslin and reflected
January 27, 1978 REDDITCH Development Corporation is poised to begin an ambitious £500,000 facelift of the older shopping areas in Headless Cross and the town centre. It is a scheme designed to improve the two districts without radically altering their
January 24, 1903 ON Saturday, many people went to Hewell Park to witness the interesting and amusing game of 'curling' on the lake. Mr R Forrest JP brought up a team from St Fagan's comprising Major Forrest, Mr P Forrest, Mr Hugh Pettigrew, Mr Hunter.
January 23, 1953 Wage claims made by several hundred men and women employed in the needle trade in Redditch and Studley are to go before an Industrial Council. Men claim an additional twopence an hour or 7s 4d for a 44-hour week and women 1d an hour or
January 20, 1978 BRITISH Leyland office workers at Grosvenor House could join the Redditch dole queue if the company is reshuffled union leaders feared this week. And the rumours are now abounding that the new Leyland Cars computer centre at Moons Moat
January 17, 1903 A proposal has been made to provide some simple but permanent and lasting record of the names of those Redditch volunteers and yeomen who responded so readily to the call for volunteers in the time of England's stress about two-and-a-half-years
January 10, 1903 SUDDEN death - The police were informed on Saturday afternoon of the sudden death of an elderly woman named Ann Gibbs residing in lodgings in Oswald Street. She had no relatives and had been partially paralysed for a long time in consequence
January 9, 1953. A NATIVE of Studley, 40-year-old Warrant Officer Cyril Allcock, of the Royal Air Force, was awarded an MBE (Military Division) in the New Year's Honours List. Mr Allcock, one of three sons of the late Mr and Mrs Frank Allcock, was born
January 2, 1953 A centuries old building at Ipsley which once reverberated to the sound of corn grinding and needle making and now lies silent is slowly being re-fashioned into a park where there will be something more pleasing than the mundane hum of
January 6, 1978 Jubilant Studley parents heard this week they have won the first battle in their fight to keep a secondary school in the village. Their plans for the retention of Studley High School after reorganisation were being considered by education
December 30, 1977 STRIKING firemen in Redditch vowed this week never again to work with Alcester part-timers who fought the Needle Industries blaze. They say they no longer recognise the Alcester retainers as firemen and will have nothing to do with them
December 19, 1952 ABOUT £660 has now been raised by parishioners of Ipsley towards the £1,500 needed for the restoration of the tower of St Peter's Church. Last week's Christmas fair and social held in the church hall on Wednesday realised £25 for the
December 13, 1902 MICHAEL Daly, a tramp, in custody, was charged with being drunk and disorderly and assaulting Police Constables Garrard and White at Redditch on December 6th. Superintendent Hayes said this was not an ordinary case. The prisoner was
December 12, 1952 A suggestion that the new lamp standards erected along Evesham road were 'most dangerous' was made by Mr V Court, a Midland Red bus driver, at Tuesday's meeting of Redditch Trades Council. Mr Court said some of the standards were on
December 6, 1902 A shooting case of a very painful and somewhat sensational nature occurred in Redditch on Saturday night. At about 7 o'clock in the evening, the startling report gained currency that Percy Dominick, who lodged with Mrs Andrews in Grove
December 5, 1952 MISS Kathleen Mary Duggins, an Alcester businesswoman, became the first woman special constable in Alcester district when she took an oath in Alcester Magistrates' Court on Monday. Miss Duggins, who owns a florists and fruiterers in Alcester
December 9, 1977 THE Alcester town centre gas leak which ignited into a 10 ft jet of flames causing 10 homes to be evacuated could not have caused an explosion. An investigation by the gas board ruled out the possibility that the burning gas could have
November 21, 1952 When the Duke of Edinburgh opened the Cycle and Motor Cycle Show at Earls Court, London, on Saturday, he was presented with a bicycle made in Redditch for his son, Prince Charles, who celebrated his fourth birthday the day before. The
November 14, 1952 SEVENTY years ago, a 10-year-old boy began part- time work at P Spencer & Sons Ltd, Oswald Street, Redditch, with the other half of his time, until he reached the age of 13, spent at the Wesleyan School just across the road. Now
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
October 28, 1977 ARECENT appeal in the Indicator for the return of a souvenir Nazi flag taken at the Battle of Arnhem has produced not one, but three flags for Redditch veterans. Members of the Redditch branch of the Parachute Regimental Association wanted
October 21, 1977 Residents calling for local improvements have received yet another blow to the pride they have in their district. Local schoolchildren who have been comparing areas of Redditch in an economic survey of the town have been told to regard
October 17, 1952 THE official opening of the new Bridley Moor County Secondary School may not now take place until next spring, Redditch District Education Committee was told at its meeting last Friday. The clerk, Mr W A Sharpe, reported that the delay
October 4, 1902 Bert Gibbons, Albert Malins and George Keyte, youths, all of Astwood Bank were charged with maliciously breaking a quick set hedge the property of Mr William Darby Hollington, on September 21st thereby doing damage to the amount of sixpence
September 23, 1977 REDDITCH carnival's street collection raised £1,340 for local charities this year - but organisers say it could have been a lot more. For they are disappointed the 1977 collection is £100 down on last year's figures - the first time
HEADLESS Cross residents association landed itself right in the wet and smelly...following an appeal in the Indicator for manure. For Mr Robert Fowler, of Spring Hill Farmhouse, came up with loads of the stuff free of charge and so did Mr Humphries, who
August 16, 1952 PRODUCTION will not be affected and no workers will be laid off as a result of a serious fire which gutted part of the roof of the factory, derelict shops and the hook shop at the factory of Messrs S Allcock and Co Ltd, Clive Road, Redditch
August 12, 1977 A WARNING has been given that a Redditch road could be a "death trap" for pensioners living nearby because of increased traffic. So Chapel Street in Headless Cross, which will contain several bungalows for old people, should be turned
August 5, 1977 ELVIS is coming to Redditch on Saturday night - Elvis Costello, that is, plus his band, The Attractions, who will be playing at Tracy's tomorrow night, August 6. And for some people, he is the King of the New Wave. Elvis first sprang to
August 9, 1902 REDDITCH - New Work by Mr J H Yoxall MP. Mr Yoxall MP, who is as our readers know a native of this town, has written a romance called The Romany Stone which Messrs Longman's are about to publish. Those who remember the long connection of
May 31, 1902 Quite a sensation was caused at Headless Cross on Sunday from the fact that Mary Alice Tovey, aged 40, wife of William Henry Tovey, landlord of the Bell Inn, Headless Cross, committed suicide in a determined manner, the discovery being made
May 31, 1952 Studley Parish Council broke away from a tradition at its annual meeting on Tuesday by appointing a woman as its chairman for the ensuing year. The new chairman, Mrs A S Midlane, is the only woman member on the council and is the first woman
Pre-season 20/07/02 - Redditch United 0 Peterborough United 3 (Forsythe, Fenn, Bullard) 25/07/02 - Redditch United 3 (Hall, Knight, 2) Stourbridge 1 (Lee) 30/07/02 - Redditch United 1 (MacVarish) Burton Albion 1 (Garner) League 17/08/02 - Redditch United
June 17 , 1977 WHAT is 65 years old, narrow, metallic brown in colour, 17 ft high and stops ladies in long, flowing costumes from reaching the Palace Theatre stage? The answer: a spiral staircase. The staircase, which is part of the original building
June 21, 1902 While on the subject of police arrangements at Redditch, necessitated by the impeding retirement of Superintendent Jeffery and the formation of Redditch into a separate sessionary division with a superintendent together stationed there,
June 28, 1902 AT the Worcestershire Assizes on Tuesday before Mr Justice Wright, Samuel Middleton, Labourer, of Spring Hill Lane, Foxlydiate, was arraigned on the charge of murdering his wife, Hannah Middleton, at Foxlydiate, near Redditch, on May 10th
July 1, 1977 TOWN planners have flatly turned down an offer by Redditch United boss Mr Bill Lawrenson to take them out on an all-expenses trip to see a greyhound track in Willenhall - in case of idle gossip. Planning committee members were told the club
July 5, 1952 Studley Parish Council is to seek the advice of Mr John Profumo MP for the division on the possibility of obtaining ministry permission for the provision of a pedestrian crossing along what was described by Mr AG Cooke at a previous meeting
July 12, 1902 The execution of Samuel Middleton for murdering his wife Hannah Middleton at Foxlydiate on May 10th has been definitely fixed for Tuesday next the 15th inst. At eight o'clock in Worcester Gaol. Billington will be executioner. Astwood Bank
July 19, 1952 The funds of Bates Hill Methodist Church will benefit by £75 from a successful garden party last Saturday. The grounds of the "Southcrest" placed at the disposal of the organisers by Ald. and Mrs Charles Terry made an ideal setting for the
July 15, 1977 CATS enjoy nine lives - but there's one in Astwood Bank which might make nonsense of this belief before he's much older. Six-month-old Tiger has already been in more scrapes than pets ten times his age. Time and again he bounces back as
July 26, 1952 THE new fire engine which has been acquired by Redditch Fire Brigade was officially handed over by Ald WR Amphlett, Chairman of Worcestershire City and County Fire Brigade Committee, at a ceremony at Redditch Fire Station on Friday last.
IT was no mean feat that Denis Dipple escaped with only slight bruising when a ton of steel bars fell on his toes. For Denis had the good sense to be wearing safety shoes which protected his size nine's from serious injury and helped him hot step into
September 13, 1902 A TELEGRAM at Holmwood on Wednesday evening contained the brief but sad announcement that Mrs Newton, wife of Canon Newton, vicar of St Stephen's, Redditch, passed quietly and peacefully away at Innistrynich, Argyllshire, at 4.30 on
September 12, 1952 When Redditch Urban District Council meets next month it will be advised for the second time by its Parks and Open Spaces Committee not to allow the use of the Valley Stadium - the home of Redditch Town FC - for greyhound racing. The
September 20, 1902 Redditch Petty Sessions - Thomas Pinfield, 2 Ipsley Street, Redditch, was charged on remand with stealing a goose, value 5s, the property of John Sollis, butcher, George Street, Redditch, on September 13th. John Sollis said he occupied
September 19, 1952 After ducking his plane under electricity grid cables carrying 60,000 volts and crashing in a field at Abbots Morton, near Inkberrow, last Thursday, a 30-year-old Birmingham man climbed calmly out of the cockpit and walked to the nearest
September 16, 1977 £100 to spend and a well-stocked supermarket to go at. It sounds like a housewife's dream and it was a dream come true last week for Mrs Sheila Clarkson at the Redditch Co-op store. Mrs Clarkson, a regional winner of the Bacofoil Wrapping
RICHARD Lewis's hopes of a dream return to his home club of Royal St George's were dashed in regional qualifying for the British Open. The Worcestershire Golf Club professional, formerly an assistant at Sandwich, missed out at Trentham yesterday with
KADEER Ali hit a century as Worcestershire completed their Second XI Trophy matches with a high-scoring 130-run defeat against Gloucestershire at Ombersley. Gloucestershire rattled up an impressive 371-5 in their 50 overs led by Chris Taylor (146), Alistair
WORCESTER Athletic Club hosted the third of four Midland Masters' track and field league meetings at the Nunnery Wood track. The men's team who are the reigning Midland Champions were weakened by injuries to a few key athletes and suffered their first
WORCESTER Raceourse hosts 'Sixties Night' tomorrow with top jockeys Richard Johnson and Carl Llewellyn hoping to get into the groove. Pitchcroft has six races on offer with the first off at 6.45pm and the final one at 9.15pm and while the jockeys are
Team colours: Home: Red shirts, red shorts, red socks. Away: Sky blue shirts, claret shorts, sky blue socks. Contacts: Commercial Director: Pat Cremin, 01527 67450 Chairman: Neil Pagett Manager: Rod Brown Assistant manager: Gary Whild Official Club Website
GM crops are only way to save the world" read the headline over D E Margrett's letter (You Say, June 24). I know his concern for the starving millions is genuine but I am sure he knows that there is more to GM Food technology than meets the eye. I happen
WORCESTER City Council's outright rejection of Tesco's planning application seems to me like a futile gesture of defiance. As I see it, the council has no powers to prevent the sale of the land if this is mutually agreed between the county council and
PARLIAMENT should set and maintain an example of tolerance and rational behaviour. Instead, we see an elective dictatorship that seems to have lost all sense of proportion and fairness, as evidenced in the hunting debate. I have never hunted in any way
A DRUG addict who raided Droitwich houses to fund a £100 a day heroin addiction has been jailed for 18 months. Adam Harrison stole goods worth over £4,000 which included a computer, a DVD player and a stereo system. But he and an accomplice were spotted
KADEER Ali hit a century as Worcestershire completed their Second XI Trophy matches with a high-scoring 130-run defeat against Gloucestershire at Ombersley. Gloucestershire rattled up an impressive 371-5 in their 50 overs led by Chris Taylor (146), Alistair
JOHN Barton is chasing a Conference striker to bolster Worcester City's front line. The St George's Lane manager, still bidding to complete his first transfer of the summer, believes his latest target would be an exciting acquisition if the deal comes
Animal clubs/societies & Animal Welfare Animal clubs/societies Cats: Cats' Protection League: Newlands Cattery, Packhorse Lane, Hollywood, Wythall (01564 822020). Dogs: Matchborough Dog Club: Mrs P. Simkiss, 36 Garway Close, Matchborough East, Redditch
County Councils, District Councils, Parish Councils & MPs County Councils Worcestershire County Council: County Hall, Spetchley Road, Worcester (01905 763763). Warwickshire County Council: Shire Hall, Warwick (01926 410410). Warwickshire Record Office
A SMALL producer of ice cream has been recognised for its excellent home-grown products by a leading supermarket. Just Rachel Quality Desserts has been making ice cream to traditional recipes from local cream and fruit for 16 years. Now the independent
College, Nursery Schools, Day Nurseries/Playgroups, First Schools, Middle Schools, Secondary Schools, Before/After-School Club & Holiday Club College NEW College: Peakman Street, Redditch (01527 570020). Open University West Midland Region: 66 High
American Football, Angling, Archery, Badminton, Bowling, Chess, Cricket,Cycling, Darts, Fencing, Fitness, Football, Golf, Hockey, Martial Arts, Motorcycling, Roller Hockey, Sports Centres, Swimming, Tennis, Yoga, Rugby, Skipping, Snooker & Special
Bus and Coach Services, Careers, Community Centres, Courts, District Auditors, District Valuers, Information Centres, Marriage Venues (Civil), Post Offices (Main), DSS, Electricity, Employment, Gas, Libaries, Rail Services, Registrars, Social Services
Adoption, Advocacy, Age Concern, Bereavement, Blind, Carers, Cerebral Palsy, Citizen's Advice, Coronary Support Group, Counselling, Deaf, Dial-a-ride, Disability, Dyslexia, Family Planning, Gamblin, Homestart, Hospice, Marriage Guidance, Mental Health
Cameo, Ladies' Luncheon Club, Mothers' Union, National Women's Register, Soroptimists, Women's Fellowship, Wives Groups, Women's Aid, Women's Circle, Women's Country Club & Women's Institute Cameo Cameo Club: Mrs MF Hague (01527 62337). Ladies' Luncheon
THE scene of yesterday's rail crash near Evesham, where three immigrant workers were killed as their minibus was hit by an InterCity train, has narrowly escaped tragedy before. Train drivers have reported two near-misses with vehicles at the unmanned
AN all-star cast and delighted audience could not quite hide the anti-climax behind the opening night of Jane Eyre at the Swan Theatre. Ticket sales were lower than expected - with only two-thirds of the seats filled - and the first professional performance
POLICE are quizzing the friends and family of a skydiver who plunged 13,000ft to his death to find out why someone deliberately sabotaged his parachute. Stephen Hilder, died at Hibaldstow Airfield, North Lincolnshire, on Friday afternoon. The cord on
RUNAWAY lovers Matthew Brooks and Naomi Mills spoke of their regret at fleeing to Scotland when they appeared on television last night. The former policeman and his 16-year-old fiance also revealed they were hoping to heal the rift with their families
A mother-of-two stole £2,500 worth of goods from the off-licence where she was manager. Rachel Darling took beer, wine, sweets and cigarettes over seven months, intending to pay for them. She even told fellow employees at Victoria Wines in Malvern what
A VICAR'S quest for people to spend more than a penny has paid off, after raising £3,000 towards two toilets for his churches. The Rev Eric Petrie, vicar of Salwarpe and Martin Hussingtree, covered between 40 to 60 miles a day when he cycled from Lands
A MAN who viewed child pornography was caught after he accidentally loaned a friend the wrong computer disc, Worcester Crown Court heard. Mark Honeyborne was found to have downloaded 1,101 images of children. The friend was shocked by the discovery after
ALMOST 300 tons of paper and textiles and more than 42 tons of plastic and cans have been collected in Worcester's new kerbside recycling scheme during its first month. Emma Stuart, the kerbside promotion officer for the city council, said the collection
These days, consultants have precious little time to practise their putting - they're too busy with patients IN an ideal world, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Paul Moran would have very little to do on The Royal's maternity ward. The 36-year-old
A HIGH-FLYING air cadet has received a top award for his outstanding achievements in the past year. Cadet Warrant Officer Timothy Pennock, aged 18, was awarded one of the prestigious Geoffrey deHavilland Flying Foundation medals at a ceremony in Lincolnshire
A MAN who hit a friend who then fell through a charity shop window, and knocked a man "senseless" in a separate attack, has been jailed for six months. Stephen Rusher, aged 24, of Coronation Street, Evesham, appeared before Worcester Magistrates Court
MAX Darby, a 10-year-old member of a city amateur dramatic society's youth group, has landed himself a part in Guys and Dolls, being staged at the Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, this summer. The Northwick Manor Junior School pupil auditioned with some
CUSTOMERS at a Worcester post office will be getting a taste of the tropical when they encounter staff donning hula skirts and brightly coloured shirts. Ombersley Road Post Office is going all Hawaiian this week, with a promotion designed to help get
June 6, 1903 FOR many years, Astwood Bank has not been visited by such a terrific thunder storm as that which occurred on Saturday afternoon. For upwards of an hour the storm raged with unabated severity. The vivid flashes of lightning and deafening peals
June 2, 1978 THE development of the Oakenshaw area of Redditch moved into top gear this week with the announcement of a huge £2.7 million building project. Redditch Development Corporation is set to be awarded a contract to build a total of 205 houses
NEARLY 100 years ago, these were the young footballers of the Marsden Road Swifts, based in Smallwood. The picture was taken in 1906 or 1907 and was supplied by Colin Hopcroft, of Greenlands Avenue. His father, Arthur Benjamin Hopcroft, who was about
May 29, 1953 STUDLEY Parish Council decided at its annual meeting last Thursday to consider schemes to relieve traffic congestion on the main street. The decision followed the submission of a letter from the Divisional Surveyor setting out reasons for
May 29, 1953 STUDLEY Parish Council decided at its annual meeting last Thursday to consider schemes to relieve traffic congestion on the main street. The decision followed the submission of a letter from the Divisional Surveyor setting out reasons for
May 15, 1953 Under an Act of parliament dated 1831 which makes it an offence to make "unreasonable use of the highway", Redditch police hope to put an end to the prevalent practice of using the streets as a daytime garage. Ten kerbside parking places
May 12, 1978 Redditch councillors this week decided to begin paying themselves for civic duties. At the annual meeting of the council, members agreed to have the opportunity of claiming expenses for council and committee meetings. This includes attendance
May 9, 1903 Crabbs Cross - Tillers Mannikins. During the last fortnight, Mr Ambrose Tiller has been giving entertainments with his famous show of mechanical mannikins or marionettes in a field near to the Board School. Large audiences have nightly visited
May 2, 1903 Crabbs Cross - The proposed new schoolroom. A meeting of officials of St Peter's Church was held last week when the matter of the erection of the new schoolroom was considered. Plans were submitted and explained by Mr E M Coleman and were
May 1, 1953 Side-car racing was introduced for the first time last Sunday to a scramble held by the Redditch Motorcycle and Car Club. The occasion was the club's open-to-centre spring scramble held at Rollswood Farm, Haselor, near Alcester. A record crowd
April 28, 1978 Protesting Crabbs Cross householders have won a stay of execution on the proposed development of an 11-acre field which backs onto their homes. The angry Yvonne Road residents claim that contractors' lorries moving onto the exclusive residential
April 24, 1953 THE whole of the village of Astwood Bank has been "plunged into darkness" because the gas streetlights have been switched off before the new electric lamp standards have been erected. Councillor H J Paramore protested "most strongly" about
April 11, 1903 SOME very important matters were discussed at the meeting of Redditch District Council on Tuesday - the winding-up meeting of the year. The report of the medical officer of health for the past month and past quarter showed the district
April 10, 1953 AN appeal to help the recently formed youth club to find suitable accommodation was made by Mr JT Grubb at Studley's annual parish meeting last week. In support, Mr GC Hill asked if an appeal could be made to the public to offer free help
April 7, 1978 JOINT discussions between local authorities could result in Redditch Council losing a £30,000 loan towards a new dual use sports hall. While talks are going on, the £50,000 scheme cannot go ahead. Local councillors were warned this week
March 31, 1978 The official wind-up date for Redditch new town has now been set for June 31, 1982. Redditch Development Corporation will then cease to exist and the town will be handed over to the Commission for New Towns. Corporation housing is already
March 21, 1903 THE tone of the speeches at the special meeting of the district council heard on Friday of last week to consider the resolutions passed at the public meeting of ratepayers and property owners was as pacificatory as the previous meeting.
March 27, 1953 COOKHILLS' first post- war council houses are expected to be started this year, Mr CH Gardiner, clerk to Evesham Rural District Council, stated in a letter read at last week's meeting of the Cookhill Women's Institute. The letter, read
March 24, 1978 A LAST-minute decision to rob homeless youngsters of their dream 'coffee bar' could mean an angry confrontation with officials. For the youngsters are threatening organised squatting and picketing of council offices - and the spokeswoman
MATT Powell is warning Werner Swanepoel -- I'm gunning for your place! Worcester Rugby Club's new scrum- half, who made the switch from Harlequins last month, has immediately set his sights on the skipper's shirt. "I'd like to get myself a starting spot
THIS old picture is believed to be Amelia Mary Chantler, a woman who lived in Redditch in the late 1800s. She was the great grandmother of Marlene Price, who kindly loaned the picture. But Mrs Price is not 100 per cent sure it is her great-grandmother
March 20, 1953 Thirty-three residents of Watery Lane, some of them with second thoughts, have petitioned Redditch Urban District Council asking that the name should not be altered to Ipsley Drive. Their petition was placed before a meeting of the public
March 17, 1978 THE planned Redditch Council civic offices will almost certainly be now built in the town centre. Ideas to alter and expand either the present Mount Pleasant office or use the old Herbert Terry buildings in Ipsley Street have been scrapped
March 14, 1903 Three lads named Fred Smith, Charles Osborne and Frank Hill pleaded guilty to playing football on Church Green to the annoyance of passengers on March 5. Pc Bowcott stated the facts, the chairman characterising the game as a great nuisance
March 10, 1978 Steps are being taken to curb the number of accidents taking place at the notorious Middlehouse Lane, Windsor Road and Birmingham Road junction. After consultation with district councillors and corporation chiefs, county traffic authorities
March 7, 1903 MARK Holtom, drayman, Studley, was charged with being asleep while in charge of a horse and cart on the highway at Studley on February 19. He pleaded guilty. Pc Hall said defendant had a rug over his head and he walked by his side for a
March 3, 1978 Studley Parish Council have demanded that a village street should be sign-posted after five years of anonymity. The street in question, Albert Close, has stood without a name sign since it was first constructed behind the village High Street
February 24, 1978 The pride of the Midlands and the envy of every other town in the region - that's Redditch's Kingfisher Shopping Centre. And it is still only half built. Work has now begun on the first stage of the third and final phase of the construction
February 21, 1903 Crabbs Cross Children's Treat and Christmas Tree Fund - The committee appointed to distribute the balance of the above fund, £7 10s 2 d, completed their duty during the past week when 37 children were presented with a pair of boots and
February 17, 1978 Redditch's new £8million superhighway has become the town's crash-a-day accident black-spot just three weeks after it was opened. And firemen stationed near the blackspot on the Alvechurch Highway say they have been more like ambulance
February 14, 1903 Accident to a telegraph messenger - a painful accident occurred to a telegraph messenger named Sanders on Tuesday afternoon. The authorities have just issued a number of bicycles for the use of telegraph messengers at the Redditch Post
February 10, 1978 Labour leader Councillor Walter Stranz this week described the demolition of 90 houses in Other Road as "one of the saddest things to happen" in Redditch history. And he told councillors: "The inhumanity of this scheme leaves me completely
February 7, 1903 DEATH of Mr J Lamb - Studley. The death of Mr John Lamb, builder, which took place on Friday has removed one who in many respects was a remarkable man and a fine example of what may be accomplished by industry, perseverance and untiring
February 6, 1953 PROMPT action by Studley Fire Brigade under Sub-Officer H Ireland saved Mrs D Gibson of 43 Station Road, Studley, from unnecessary suffering after she had been overcome by fumes when the chimney at her home caught fire last Sunday morning
February 3, 1978 DON'T hoard petrol - and we might just scrape through this dispute with fuel to spare. This was the message from some garage owners in Redditch as the tanker drivers' work-to-rule began to bite. Others were more pessimistic. Panic buying
January 30, 1953 THE vicar of Inkberrow, The Rev G A Harrison, presiding at the annual meeting of the committee of St Paul's Church, Cookhill last Thursday, expressed opposition to the proposal to introduce legislation to parliament to make wider Sunday
January 16, 1953 A man who got married on a wage of 15s a week and who has vivid memories of Redditch on Mafeking night celebrated his Golden wedding on Christmas Day. He is Mr Oscar Rivington, aged 77 years, who with his 79-year-old wife lives at Pevensey
January 13, 1978 Striking Redditch firemen were split about 50-50 over whether to accept the latest government pay offer and return to work. But they say they will bury their personal views and accept any decision from the recalled Fire Brigade Union
January 6, 1978 Britain's oldest established independent manufacturer of hand knitting pins and sewing needles - Abel Morrall Ltd - formed in Redditch in 1785, has completed a decentralisation programme. The company, whose 'Aero' brand is world-wide leader
January 3, 1903 Foxlydiate pigeon shoot - A large company embarked on the annual pigeon shoot on Saturday promoted by Mr HF Chambers and some capital sport was witnessed. A purse to the value of £5 was the chief prize offered although the day's sport
December 27, 1902 THE possible serious consequences of a foul chimney being set on fire were very forcibly shown on Saturday night in the outbreak which occurred in a cottage at the top of Ipsley Street near the Plough and Harrow. Some mystery surrounds
IT'S reassuring that the opening of the new era at Worcester's Swan Theatre hasn't been dressed up to be something it isn't. In admitting to being "disappointed", the man in charge of its rebirth, Chris Jaeger, is typically honest about the fact that
December 26, 1952 THE retirement of Mrs SE Evans from the teaching staff of Mappleborough Green Church of England School after 18 years' service was marked by the presentation to her of an oak clock at the annual joint Christmas party at the school. The
December 20, 1902 THE death of Mr Robert S Bartleet means the severance of the few remaining local links uniting the early part of the 19th century with the early part of the 20th century. For the great part of the inhabitants of Redditch can only remember
December 16 1977. POLICE cordoned off a Redditch street because of the risk of an explosion as Green Goddess troops fought to put out a car blaze. Minutes earlier, motorist Mr Robin Cope had screeched to a halt and abandoned his Vauxhall Viva car in Littlewoods
December 9, 1977 PLANS for a possible estate in Studley Park have been thrown out by district councillors after a mass of protest letters from local residents. Stratford planning committee was sent 91 letters and a petition signed by 28 people objecting
THIS was Ipsley Mount Nursing Home, seen here in the early part of last century. The home was near the present Trafford Retail Park in Ipsley Street. In the early 1930s, the home was run by a Nurse Tristram. The picture is from the collection of Alan
November 29, 1902 Redditch Petty Sessions - John Adams was charged with using indecent language on the 19th November. Defendant pleaded guilty and Mr Hobson, for the defence, said defendant had been in South Africa on active service for two-and-a-half
November 28, 1952 PLANS to obviate flooding at the Allendale Estate, Studley, were referred to at Wednesday's meeting of Alcester Rural District Council. A letter from the architects pointed out that the county surveyor attributed the flooding to the
November 25, 1977 REDDITCH councillors have added their weight to the demand for a strict speed limit on Donnington Close, Church Hill, to make the road safer for children. They voted to back a residents' petition calling for the erection of 10mph warning
November 22, 1902 William Unitt, farmer, Dagtail, Crabbs Cross, was charged with allowing a pig to stray in an affected area on November 14th. Pc Crockett proved the case. Defendant said the pig broke out. Supt Hayes said the whole of the county was now
November 18, 1977 REDDITCH children are suffering pain and discomfort for more than two years because waiting lists for ear, nose and throat operations are out of control. And in some cases, surgeons are turning children away because they do not know
November 15, 1902 MR JG Green, of The Manor House, Studley, entertained about 80 ladies and gentlemen in the district on Wednesday evening, the occasion being the coming of age of his daughter, Miss Gertrude Green. The reception took place in the Public
November 11, 1977 LOCAL firemen were this week planning to give all-out support to the call for a national strike. The 27 full-time firemen at the Redditch office were planning a round-the-clock picket of their Birmingham Road station and were expecting
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.
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
November 1, 1902 REDDITCH Petty Sessions - William Neale, gipsy, whose wife appeared, was fined 2s 6d and 4s 6d costs for allowing a donkey to stray in Holyoakes Lane, Tardebigge, on October 4. PC Prosser proved the case. Fred Simpson, Redditch, was charged
October 31, 1952 A NUMBER of oak pumping rods and water pipes believed to be at least 200 years old were discovered when Mr Alfred John Tipping, of Hookey's Farm, Cookhill, decided to have the old-fashioned deep well at the rear of his farmhouse cleaned
October 25, 1902 As usual there was not a large attendance of members at the annual meeting of the Redditch Literary and Scientific Institute on Wednesday night. It is regrettable that more interest is not shown in the affairs of this useful and well
October 24, 1952 An active worker in many public organisations, Mr John W C Bird, of Norfolk Place, Crabbs Cross, died at his home last Friday. He was in his 76th year. He was a member of Redditch Urban District Council for a short time and was secretary
October 18, 1902 Alvechurch - Mr F J Batchelor has handed over to the rector (Venerable Archdeacon Walters) Mr D McMichael, a cheque for £8 30s 6d wherewith to purchase coals for the poor during the winter. It will be remembered the gentleman offered
October 14, 1977 THE Redditch branch of the Parachute Regiment Association has appealed to the Feckenham resident who 30 years ago bought a Nazi flag - brought back as a souvenir from Arnhem. The flag was sold at auction soon after the war and local ex-paratroopers
October 3, 1952 Studley Parish Council decided at its meeting on Tuesday to go ahead with its original proposal to build a permanent village hall rather than be tempted into erecting a prefabricated building because there might be considerable delay in
September 30, 1977 There is a special reason why as many residents as possible should make the effort to turn up at their residents association annual general meeting next week. For one of the items due for discussion at the meeting is the feasibility
September 27, 1902 It has been decided by the Joint Unionist Associations of Redditch to entertain the Right Hon. Lord Windsor (First Commissioner of Works) and the Right Hon. Austen Chamberlain MP (The Postmaster- General) at a public dinner at the Royal
September 29, 1952 ALCESTER Rural District Council decided at its meeting on Wednesday to support Studley Parish Council's application for a Crown Post Office. The matter was raised by the chairman of the council Councillor HE Whitehouse who told the
August 30, 1902 ON Tuesday afternoon, an accident occurred to one of Messrs PJ Huntley's cars but fortunately with no serious results. The car was proceeding along the Rectory Road with a lady occupant when one of the horses slipped, it is supposed, on
August 30, 1952 A motorcycle with a 700cc engine believed to be the first of its capacity in the motorcycling world and capable of over 100mph has been produced and tested by the Enfield Cycle Co Ltd of Redditch and will represent Great Britain in the
August 16, 1902 Coronation of King Edward VII - Redditch celebrations. The service at St Stephen's Church was a suitable fitting and worthy celebration of an event which although was an occasion for rejoicing, was at the same time of a most solemnly serious
August 9, 1952 MR Leonard D Millar of the Ridgeway, Astwood Bank, has resigned after five-and-a-half years as editor of the Redditch Indicator & Alcester Chronicle and may well leave the district later in the year. A native of Redditch, he was educated
May 27, 1977 Studley-born Sir Edward Perkins, who became personal detective to the Queen, has died aged 68. Educated at Alcester Grammar School, he joined the Metropolitan Police in 1927. He became personal body-guard to the Queen Mother in 1941. In 1954
Pre-season 21/07/01 - Redditch United 0 Kidderminster Harriers 3 (Hadley, Hinton, Middleton) (friendly) 24/07/01 - Redditch United 2 (Danks 2) Gloucester United 3 (Tatton, Meadows, Freeman) (friendly) 28/07/01 - Weston St Johns 2 Redditch United 6 (Campbell
June 21, 1952 OVER £180 was raised for the Studley Roman Catholic Church restoration fund as the result of a successful garden fete held at Haye Farm, Mappleborough Green, last Saturday. The event was organised jointly by members of the Catholic Young
June 28, 1952 AT a meeting of Worcestershire Health Committee today (Saturday) the ambulance sub-committee will recommend the acquisition of a site in Hewell Road, Redditch, offered by Redditch Urban District Council for the erection of a prefabricated
June 24, 1977 SOMETHING distinctly fishy has been going on down at Arrow Valley Lake recently. Passers-by may have noticed two men with fishing rods landing fish as if they were going out of style. Onlookers may be forgiven for thinking the men were two
July 5, 1902 Feckenham. When the news was received at this village on the serious illness of His Majesty the King and that the coronation was postponed, it caused a feeling akin to consternation. The coronation committee were very anxious to know the
July 12, 1952 The Rev WJ Wray, who has been minister of Redditch Congregational Church for the last 21 years, has handed in his resignation to Mr FG Heaphy the church secretary. In a letter to Mr Heaphy, Mr Wray says "after nearly 21 years of a warm and
July 8, 1977 REDDITCH'S Bordesley Meadows were the scene of a major event in European history recently - the routing of the French forces following the Battle of Waterloo. Capturing the effects of a fight to the death were 40 members of the Sabre Society
July 19, 1902 The execution of Samuel Middleton, the Foxlydiate murderer, took place at Worcester prison on Tuesday morning. Middleton was very pale as he approached the scaffold. He murmured not a word, looked neither to the right nor to the left and
July 26, 1902 HONOUR for Feckenham man - Mr William Baker, an old scholar of the National School, now a student at Hatfield Hall, Durham University, has just passed the honours list in theology. The success carries with it the title of LTH. Mr Baker will
July 24, 1977 REDDITCH'S cabbies have been granted the fare increases they claim were necessary to end fiddling and give them a 'decent living wage'. Councillors nearly doubled the fares this week, bringing them in line with the rates Birmingham cabbies
September 6, 1902 THE following, which appeared in the London Gazette of August 15, shows that order in council constituting St George's a separate parish has now been granted. The delimitation of the boundaries of the new parish will be found set out
September 5, 1952 ALL the classrooms at the new Bridley Moor Secondary Modern School have now been completed and fitted and will be ready for use when the school opens next Thursday. Mr WA Sharpe, clerk to the Redditch District Education Committee, told
September 9, 1977 THIEVES who stole £210 worth of property from a car left in Redditch's multi-storey car park have wrecked Malcolm Hawkes' holiday plans. The raiders 'went fishing' in the boot of his car and landed four rods and other equipment valued
JOHN Barton is chasing a Conference striker to bolster Worcester City's front line. The St George's Lane manager, still bidding to complete his first transfer of the summer, believes his latest target would be an exciting acquisition if the deal comes
MATT Powell is warning Werner Swanepoel -- I'm gunning for your place! Worcester Rugby Club's new scrum- half, who made the switch from Harlequins last month, has immediately set his sights on the skipper's shirt. "I'd like to get myself a starting spot
HEREFORD United manager Graham Turner was in talks with two players today as he bids to strengthen his 14-man squad. Turner has signed only two players to date, Jordan King and David Brown from Telford, and is believed to have missed out in a bid to snap
EVESHAM United and Stourport Swifts will both kick-off this season's FA Cup with home ties. The Robins entertain Hallen from the Screwfix Direct Western League, while Swifts face Midland Alliance side Boldmere St Michael's at Walshes Meadow. Bromsgrove
Articles from last season can be found by following the 'archive' link - left.
I AM in favour of the safety cameras, but at the same time I feel they should meet the right criteria. The one on City Walls Road, Worcester, certainly does not do this. I had to look hard to find it. A stranger to Worcester would not stand a chance.
I SEE that A Reece has now joined the attack on coursing (You Say, June 21) giving a description that is totally opposite to the truth. To begin with, the hare is never fenced in or released from a box as A Reece wants us to believe. Its escape is never
PERHAPS F L Jones misunderstands my point regarding immigration (You Say, June 27). I agree that past and present government treatment of servicemen has been nothing short of appalling. The cover-up over Gulf War Syndrome and the issue of equal pay for
I WAS delighted to read the Mike Pryce feature (Evening News, June 26). He is obviously a country lad, after my own heart. It is about time that some of our local words and sayings are acknowledged. No computer jargon for us. I use the word "yampy" regularly
Articles from last season can be found by following the 'archive' link - left.
AN award-winning Worcester funeral director is sponsoring the UK Charity Awards. AV Band won a UK Charity Award in 2002 for its support and commitment to good causes in the community. "Last year, we were the winner of the Corporate Community Involvement
A HEREFORD IT consultancy is using broadband at the city's Courtyard arts centre as its first step towards online ticketing. Bridge Associates had already helped The Courtyard install its new box office system, adding to the centre's online administrative
AN award-winning youth hostel has been praised for its attention to detail and warm welcome. Leominster Youth Hostel won a gold award at the Visit Heart of England Excellence in Tourism Awards for Best Value for Money Accommodation. Judges said Leominster
Art, Arts, Bell Ringing, Choirs/Choral Society, Dance, Drama, Environment, Flower Clubs, Folk, Gardening Societies and Clubs, History Societies, Music, Miscellaneous, Opera, Photography, Singing, Theatre & Town Twinning Art Redditch Art Circle: Miss
Charities and Charity Shops Age Concern: 103 Easemore Road, Redditch (01527 584653) Alexandra Hospital League of Friends: Mrs Pat Hadley, (01527 512009). Barnardos: Redditch Family Centre, 26 Salop Road, Redditch (01527 550577). British Heart Foundation
Places of Worship Astwood Bank Methodist Church, Crabbs Cross Methodist Church and Headless Cross Methodist Church: 7 Sandygate Close, Webheath, Redditch (01527 541885). Baptist Church: Alvechurch (0121 445 3235). Christ Church Anglican and Methodist
Alcoholism, Arthritis, Cancer, Chemists, Chiropodists, Clinics, Community Health Council, Dental Surgeons, Diabetes, Disabled, Doctors, Drugs, Heart, Hospitals, Parkinsons's Disease & Physiotherapists Alcoholism Hereford & Worcester Advisory Service
Air Cadets, Boys Brigade, Guides, Scouts, Sea Cadets, Youth Groups, Youth Information Air Cadets Redditch Air Cadets: Flt Lt A. J. Hall (RAFVRCT) (01527 401560). Boys Brigade 1st Redditch: Herbert Harris, Captain, 11 Mason Road, Headless Cross, Redditch
