FORMER England international Andy Sinton has emerged as a surprise contender for the vacant manager's job at Bromsgrove Rovers. Sinton (pictured), who made 12 appearances for his country in the early 1990s, signed for the Victoria Ground club last Thursday
INTREPID Worcester rower Richard Wood is pressing ahead to succeed in his dream of single-handedly crossing the Atlantic. Stormy seas severely damaged the rudder of his boat Najojo nearly two weeks ago, seemingly leaving the father of three at the mercy
A "rich friendship and a sense of humour" is the key to 50 years of marital bliss say Sydney and Joyce Bateman. The couple married on a sunny spring morning at St Mary's Church, Kempsey, in March 1954. Syd, aged 79, whose birthday falls on the day after
FORMER students of Nunnery Wood High School are searching for their old classmates and teachers to make their Golden Jubilee Reunion complete. Mike Loxley and Ann Featherstone (ne Bryant) want to unite people to celebrate the school's 50th birthday in
HOT shots of the kitchen and aspiring Ainsley Harriott's are being urged to get in quick for a chance to cook up a storm for a celebrity chef and poach the prestigious title of Worcestershire Chef of the Year. The Evening News has teamed up the Fownes
A RARELY heard piece of music will be performed at a Bromsgrove concert this weekend. The Bromsgrove Choral Society will sing Seven Last Words of Christ by Theodore Dubois this Saturday night. The oratorio is a popular piece in the United States of America
A PREMIER Led Zeppelin tribute band will be returning to Bromsgrove Fred Zeppelin will be performing at the Stoke Prior Country Club, in Weston Hall Road, on May 7. Fans are advised to get tickets in advance from the club on 01527 577876.
A customer who chased and detained an armed thief has been commended for his bravery by a crown court recorder. Lorry driver John Bird was shopping in Rockhill Post Office and Stores in Bromsgrove when Ricky Brooks made a bid to grab cigarettes. As Brooks
A REVIEW into the controversial construction of the Hylton Road flood barrier is to be carried out. Worcester City Council's scrutiny committee is holding a special one-off meeting to investigate the success of the temporary barrier scheme when it was
FOUR areas across Redditch are now covered by stringent new powers which allow police officers to disperse gangs of youths and escort loitering youngsters home. The powers can only be used in areas where people have suffered intimidation, harassment,
MAIL was stolen from a postman's car in Wythall last Wednesday. The postman was delivering mail between 7.30-7.50am and returned to his car in Three Oaks Road to find the driver's front window smashed. The boot had been opened and two bags of mail, containing
Review - Tell Me on a Sunday at the Birmingham Hippodrome (until Saturday) THERE'S no chance of this happening on a Sunday so make the most of the limited opportunity to see andhear the magnificent Marti Webb in the role created specifically for her.
DROITWICH Spa Men's Seconds rounded off their successful season with a 5-0 win over Barlaston. Spa, who secured promotion to the West Midlands premier division the previous week, took an early lead through Luke Hine. The visitors contained Droitwich until
ANY Government reaches the point where fatigue wipes out momentum and leaves it vulnerable, a fact that's true of its Ministers and backbenchers, and even truer of the public it serves. Tony Blair's administration, to be brutally honest, has been creaking
SUPERSTOCKS champion Andy Tinsley and Redditch based team DLS Magnum had a nice start to the campaign at Silverstone. While Tinsley finished in second place and smashed the lap record three times DLS Magnum rider Kelvin Reilly bagged a well deserved 9th
IT was a record breaking start to the Superstocks Championship for Redditch racer Andy Tinsley. The Astwood Bank racer and current Superstocks champion broke the lap record three times before taking second place overall. Tinsley broke the lap record with
Redditch 3 Droitwich 3 JUST one game remains for Redditch after a six goal thriller against neighbours Droitwich on Saturday. With promotion already out of the question the team are now focusing on next season's West Midlands division one campaign. Redditch
WYTHALL Men's A team secured promotion from division three of the Stratford League with a 4-0 win over Littleton B, who had already won the division. In winning the match Wythall became the first team to beat Littleton in two years. Wythall's first pair
THE Hereford & Worcester County Jubilee Foil Competition took place at St Augustine's Sports Hall on Sunday. The annual event is non-electric, the only one in the West Midlands. Some of the age groups were mixed in order to give participants plenty
A £1 MILLION scheme to replace hundreds of doors and windows in Redditch Council properties will go ahead as planned after a U-turn by councillors. Residents were outraged in December when the original project was scrapped in favour of a cheaper scheme
Biddulph Victoria 4 Studley 3 THE Midland Alliance game of the weekend ended in disappointment for the Bees as they conceded three goals in five minutes to essentially put the match beyond doubt. The only plus coming out of Saturday's results was Stratford
MOBILE phone aerials will be put on the top of Redditch Town Hall despite strong objections from some councillors. At a full council meeting on Monday, councillors from all parties were split over whether a mast should be erected The request from a leading
Alvechurch 0 Oadby 0 WITH five games to play before the season close Church boss Neil Bryan knows his side are safe from relegation. Despite four of the five games left are away fixtures Bryan said: "I told the squad before the game that we won't be going
AN 18-year-old Redditch woman who helped save the life of a man who had been stabbed 12 times on a bus was presented with a plaque and bouquet of flowers at the town hall on Monday. At a full council meeting Lynsey Walters, who has already received a
r Martens Western: Bromsgrove 2 Evesham 1; Gloucester 2 Cirencester 0; Gresley 1 Cinderford 2; Halesowen 0 Redditch 0; Rugby 1 Mangotsfield 0; Solihull 0 Taunton 1; Sutton 1 Ilkeston 1; Swindon S 1 Team Bath 0; Yate 3 Bedworth 3 Midland Alliance: Alvechurch
RUBBISH is still a hot topic for Wythall residents in Station Road and Norton Lane, whose refuse collection was five days overdue. The introduction of a new kerbside-only collection scheme in February brought chaos to the area, forcing the council to
REDDITCH Mayor Kieth Boyd-Carpenter dropped in for coffee at a parents' support group in Batchley last week. Councillor Boyd-Carpenter was at the Special Needs Coffee Morning - Supporting All meeting, which offers help and advice to parents of children
FECKENHAM parish council has objected to a planning application for 14 houses. The scheme is for a site in the village where a garage and car servicing business provides employment for several people. The council is still campaigning to get additional
PROFESSIONAL Sinatra look and sound-alike Phil Fryer brings his show to Malvern's Festival Theatre on Saturday at 7.30pm. A barber by trade, Phil began singing while on holiday in 1997, karaoke singing in a bar. His version of a Frank Sinatra song was
Saturday, April 3 FOOTBALL Dr Martens Western - Cirencester Town v Bromsgrove Rovers (3pm). Midland Combination Division One - Barnt Green Spartak v Loughborough; Knowle v Fairfield Villa. Division Two - Droitwich Spa v Archdales '73. Reserve Division
THIS film plays like a who's who of British acting talent. With Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Bill Nighy and Alan Rickman gracing the screen, you would be forgiven for expecting a film of momentous proportions. Unfortunately, this isn't quite the case. This
WORCESTER Rugby Club look set to expand their coaching team next season with a move for Billy McGinty. The 39-year-old, who worked as a defensive coach last season, has been lined up with a return to Sixways to work in the Premiership. The National One
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers wasted the chance of meeting Worcester City in the final of the Worcestershire Senior Cup when they crashed to an embarrassing 2-1 defeat against Sutton Coldfield Town at Aggborough last night. Harriers, fielding nine players with
BROMYARD Town produced their best performance of the season to beat Kington Town 3-0 at home in the West Midlands League Premier Division last night. It was their second victory inside a month over their local rivals. Bromyard went ahead on 10 minutes
Worcestershire racing driver Justin Dawkins took his first ever race victory in the second round of the Daly Systems Star of the Midlands FF1600 Championship at Donington Park. Dawkins, from Stockton-on-Teme, led for more than half of the race but had
AFTER 16 years as members of the Birdseye Sports Evesham Sunday League, Ashton-under-Hill have reached their first ever cup final. A 6-5 win over second division Peopleton booked a place in the Evesham Mechanical Services Subsidiary Cup final. Doubles
WORCESTER'S Alice Ottley School's U15 trampoline team became national champions in their age group at the British Schools Championship in Birmingham. The competition involves schools throughout the United Kingdom and there were a number of preliminary
FOR everyone connected with Bromsgrove Rugby Football Club, this Saturday marks the end of an era. Tony Finn is standing down as club president in June after 12 years and Saturday's final home game of the season with Barkers Butts will be his last at
FOR everyone connected with Bromsgrove Rugby Football Club, this Saturday marks the end of an era. Tony Finn is standing down as club president in June after 12 years and Saturday's final home game of the season with Barkers Butts will be his last at
A RUGBY team from South Bromsgrove High School has swept the board by winning a treble. The Charford Road school's U16s side was crowned county champions last Thursday after beating RGS Worcester 25-0 in the final. That success was followed by victory
NEARLY 300 junior rugby players from across the region will descend on Bromsgrove this Sunday. Bromsgrove Rugby Club hosts the North Midlands U12s RFU tournament with 16 squads of 18 players taking part. Entry is £5 per car or on foot.
VICTORY is paramount for Bromsgrove RFC First XV this Saturday to set up a Midlands Two (West) title decider at Derby on April 17. Dean Ball's side host Barkers Butts in their final home match of the season. Ball said: "We need to be buoyant and not be
NEARLY 300 junior rugby players from across the region will descend on Bromsgrove this Sunday. Bromsgrove Rugby Club hosts the North Midlands U12s RFU tournament with 16 squads of 18 players taking part. Entry is £5 per car or on foot.
Catshill Warriors U13s 1 Leafield Athletic U13s 3 Catshill missed out on winning the Central Warwickshire Youth League U13s cup with this final defeat. Catshill, U12s winners last season, fell a goal behind but equalised before half time when Craig Swallow
FORMER England international Andy Sinton has emerged as a surprise contender for the vacant manager's job at Bromsgrove Rovers. Sinton (pictured), who made 12 appearances for his country in the early 1990s, signed for the Victoria Ground club last Thursday
NEARLY 300 junior rugby players from across the region will descend on Bromsgrove this Sunday. Bromsgrove Rugby Club hosts the North Midlands U12s RFU tournament with 16 squads of 18 players taking part. Entry is £5 per car or on foot.
A GOAL ten minutes from time earned Fairfield Villa a credible 1-1 draw at third place Littleton. Neil Gallagher's side, reduced to ten men late on when Neill Tinkler saw red, trailed on 68 minutes before Paul Matthews levelled the scores 12 minutes later
GOALKEEPER Simon Denby grabbed a late equaliser and manager Richard Goode was sent off as Droitwich Spa A drew 2-2 at home with basement boys Henwick. Last Saturday's remarkable Worcester Premier League match completed Spa A's campaign, currently leaving
A FOOTBALL team from Droitwich Spa (pictured) has shown their ability by going a whole season unbeaten. The U10s seven-a-side team (year five) from Witton Middle School, in Old Coach Road, have finished top of the North Worcestershire U10s League, winning
FOOTBALL fans can raise some money for charity at Bromsgrove Rovers next week. The Victoria Ground club's reserves are playing The Golden Cross in a friendly encounter on Wednesday, April 7, in an effort to raise cash for CLIC, Cancer and Leukaemia in
MOORLANDS Farm's Meadow pool was the setting for last Tuesday's penultimate round of the Starlets Veterans Individual Winter League. League leader Peter Taylor (Alvechurch) did the business again to record his ninth win of the series by pole fishing red
"IF we win the next four games nobody can catch us," said an upbeat Rod Brown as his team look down on the rest of the league with an 11 point lead. And with the next four games being against four of the bottom six clubs there will be no excuses. Shepshed
SURELY our national housing policy should be regarded as anti-social. With houses now in region of one to ten average earnings it's difficult to see how it will be possible for young people to live in the area. It's testimony to the stupidity of these
THE current rise on council tax on Bromsgrove serves to remind us that all services have to be paid for, either now or in the future. The only exception to this are the benefits we have inherited from the efforts of previous generations, whom we should
THROUGH your newspaper we would like to show our disgust with whoever, in their great wisdom, has decided that Catshill will be losing their number 94 bus service to Bromsgrove as from April. This service is a valuable lifeline for both the young and
A FUNERAL service for the late Ottilie Hild, aged 83, took place at St Peter's RC Church, Rock Hill. An Austrian by birth, Ottilie Hild came to England in 1936 to work as a governess. She later established a kindergarten in a single room overlooking Crown
TWO freak eggs, one shaped like a banana the other smaller than a sixpence, had been laid by a pullet belonging to Mr W Heath, of High Elms Farm, Lower Bentley, near Bromsgrove. ARCHAEOLOGISTS moved in to excavate the site of a former Roman dwelling at
WORCESTER City have rejected a third bid by Weymouth to sign winger Adam Wilde. The Dorset club made a last-ditch effort to secure Wilde's services last night, ahead of today's transfer deadline. Wilde impressed Clarets player-manager Steve Claridge during
Alcester 2nds 15 Redditch Exiles 15 AN undefeated Alcester side had far more passion in the first 20 minutes as the Exiles appeared to be shell-shocked by wave after wave of pressure. Two tries were scored, one converted, before the Redditch men in pink
THE county council has failed yet again to control spending and taxes have risen over eight per cent. So much for Government promises to cap spending over four per cent. The large pay increase given to striking fire fighters and the extra £100 given to
DURING the past months I have enjoyed various walks around the outskirts of Droitwich Spa, particularly the south and west sides. Each time, I notice how well the roadside verges and paths through town are clear of litter. This is down to the efforts
A REDDITCH company has beaten off competition from hundreds of other businesses to become a national winner in the 2003 European Week for Safety Awards. MacLelland International Ltd won the award for its efforts to promote health and safety in the workplace
A LEADING specialist in the design and manufacture of food packaging has opened a new manufacturing site in Redditch, thanks to seven-figure funding from Bank of Scotland Corporate Banking. The new 12, 000 sq ft site on Nash Road, Park Farm North, was
EVESHAM recruitment agency Westbourne Services Ltd has joined Redditch-based Access2 Recruitment and Training to provide a wider range of services to jobseekers and clients in and around Evesham. Access2 chairman Peter Powell said: "We're excited at the
BIRMINGHAM'S landmark centre for science and technology, Millennium Point, has appointed Redditch man Anthony Mundy as facilities and property director. Mr Mundy, 33, was previously head of facilities at Charles Schwab in Birmingham. A member of the British
FANS of fabric are invited to an open evening of a Bromsgrove textile group tomorrow night (Thursday). The Avoncroft Arts Society Textile Group is holding an open session at the Stoke Heath Community Centre, in Redditch Road, from 2 until 4pm. For further
Wednesday, March 31 Musical: 42nd Street, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton. Until Saturday. Show: Pop Icons 2004, The Swan Theatre, Worcester, 7pm. Show: Sailor Beware, The Rose Theatre, Kidderminster. Until April Saturday.
NIFTY movers are invited to a crash course in line dancing next week. Lickey End Working Men's Club, in Alcester Road, is holding line dancing classes every Tuesday from next week. Absolute beginners can learn some fancy footwork from 7 until 8pm while
THE Japanese art of knotting will be the subject of a demonstration in Rubery next week. Fiona Lucas will share her expertise on the oriental skill with other members of the Waseley Hills Crafts Guild on Wednesday, April 7. It takes place at Waseley Hills
COLONEL Gaddafi has turned Libya into one of Africa's biggest arms dealers. Human rights violations, war and UN embargoes appear to be no bar to sales. In some of the most bloody wars in Africa, Libyan weapons have fanned the flames and stoked the conflict
MEP Philip Bushill-Matthews writes that the Conservatives are fighting for "this" and fighting against "that" in the European Parliament, but does he not see that the whole European ideal is complete integration in all things? It is time he questioned
Robin Hill was the guest speaker at the March meeting. The title of his talk was A Land Army Girl Remembers in which he used diaries, writings and slides, together with anecdotes, to illustrate what life had been like for these girls during and after
WHAT a superb meeting we had. It was chaired by Sue Frizzell who welcomed several guests, approximately 45 members and our speaker, James Arbuthnott from The Cottage Garden and Nursery at Stone. He gave a talk and slide show on climbers, showing us slides
Betty Pickering, our president for 2004, opened the March meeting by proposing a toast for the 87th birthday of our WI and welcoming county chairman Suzanne Owen. Business matters were speedily dealt with. A copy of the first ever minutes for Bromsgrove
Alexandra Lyall was over-the-moon when she discovered that a balloon she released with her name and address on it had flown more than 600 miles to France. The 11-year-old, of Coronation Terrace, Aston Fields, had been to her cousin's birthday party in
STUDENTS at a Rubery school were shooting for the stars when players from the Birmingham Bullets basketball team visited for a sponsored shoot-out. The team visited St James' RC Primary School and helped the pupils raise pots of cash for a water project
STUDENTS at Waseley Hills High School became young Einsteins when a science company held a workshop for gifted pupils. Head of science Karen Wells said: "All the children had a wonderful day. It was very informative and showed them how science and business
Great Alne Cricket Club have been boosted by another grant of £2,500. The grant has come courtesy of Sportsmatch, a business sponsorship incentive scheme administered by the Institute of Sports Sponsorship on behalf of Sport England. Sportsmatch are matching
Halesowen Town 0 Redditch United 0 REDS fans made the short journey up the M5 and packed out The Grove knowing a win would all but settle the title. United boss Rod Brown said pre-match that if his side could beat Halesowen in their own backyard the title
MEMBERS of the Housman Society and devotees of his haunting poems gathered round his statue to mark the 145th anniversary of the poet's birth. Alfred Housman, the eldest of seven children, was born at Fockbury in 1859. His family later moved to Perry
A NEW six-bed palliative care unit, Primrose at the Princess, which is based at the Princess of Wales Community Hospital in Bromsgrove, has been opened. The ceremony was carried out by Graham Vickery, chairman of the Redditch and Bromsgrove Primary Care
A SUGAR boost from chocolate is what one town man needs after running from Bromsgrove to the Cadbury factory in Bournville as part of his training. Steve Davies, of Bournheath Road, Fairfield, runs the ten-mile route to the chocolate factory three times
EVERYONE is welcome to this weekend's Palm Sunday procession, says Nigel Marns, the vicar of St John's Parish Church. The annual procession, from the bandstand in Sanders Park, will begin at 10.45am this Sunday. The event marks the beginning of Holy Week
AN 83-year-old Bromsgrove man who had supported the town's football team all his life collapsed at the Victoria Ground on Saturday and died despite the efforts of the Rovers' chairman to save him. Peter Lemmon had walked the short distance from his lifelong
BROMSGROVE planners have been rewarded with a cash boost of £235,000 for being among the top performers in the country. The Government grant, from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, has been awarded to district planners in recognition of the fast
THE fate of the Lido has been placed firmly in the hands of the people of Droitwich, who will now look at various options to breathe life back into the town's salty seawater attraction. The matter was decided at a Wychavon District Council executive board
CRAWLEY were ecstatic after their win on Monday night because it effectively clinched the championship for them. It was an absorbing game that was always going to be nip and tuck. Francis Vines didn't think there was anything in the game and was over
CAMPAIGNING councillors and townsfolk were due to pull together last night (Tuesday) in a last-ditch bid to get the Lido's future back on track. Councillor Roy Seabourne, town and district (Lab-West), is one of many people who are keen to see the attraction
TALENTED youngsters are being invited to brush up on their skills for a stage performance at the district's first ever youth carnival, which will be held this summer. Youngsters, aged 11 and over and from the Bromsgrove area, are being urged to get their
WHIZZ-kids from a Spa school demonstrated their maths knowledge adds up to a great success. A group of pupils from Witton Middle School were presented with a certificate from the National Mathematical Association. Challenge The seven students had completed
POLICE are taking action after a near-miss accident in the town's High Street. Signs have been erected at the top of the street, prohibiting drivers from using the road on Saturdays, since last year but some motorists still flout the law. However, police
A BUSINESSMAN grabbed his partner by the throat and threatened her with a knife, a court was told. The assault at the couple's home left Jean Kealey, of Teme Crescent, Droitwich, distressed, Worcester magistrates heard. James Sparkes, aged 47, whose address
DROITWICH Spa will be the final port of call for a local man who is embarking on a marathon to raise funds for charity. Kind-hearted Ted McLaughlin will start his charity mission this Sunday. Ted will start with a 40-minute step-aerobics class in Bridgnorth
MID-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff has spoken out about his concern over the lack of healthcare facilities in Droitwich Spa. During health questions in the Commons last Tuesday, Mr Luff urged ministers to ensure a new health centre was built in the town
THERE was musical mayhem when Wychbold First and Nursery School took part in a local festival. The event was organised by and held at Droitwich Spa High School, in Briar Mill, where nine schools from across the district congregated to celebrate the theme
THIS is definitely an album that grows on you, lacking the instant appeal of Stony Road. At first hearing I felt it resembled middle aged spread: a weary and uncontrolled blend of styles which didn't quite work together, feeling more paunchy than punchy
I absolutely love Usher's current number one hit Yeah! so I was looking forward to reviewing the rest of his work on new album Confessions. To be honest I have never really been into Usher, although judging from the shots on his album slip I may have
AFTER many years of hard graft, press operator Dave Waldron was looking forward to the luxury of early retirement. He could not wait to spend more time with his family, especially his baby granddaughter. But 55-year-old Dave, of Dovecote Road, thinks
LOCAL tennis players will be aiming for success when Great Britain's largest singles competition gets underway this weekend. Barnt Green and Bromsgrove tennis clubs both have teams in the Midlands section of the KIA National Club League. Barnt Green's
TWO trophies have been contested as the Droitwich and District League enters its final few matches. Catshill Working Men's Club C, led by captain Ryan Tuohy, triumphed over Bromsgrove Labour Club B to win the Ansells Cup. Captain John Elliot then led
THERESA McCurrich has reached a Point-to-Point final. The Droitwich Spa rider, with horse Sovereign Gale, qualified for the Club Members Maiden Mares Point-to-Point final after beating a field of 13 in Chester last Sunday.
A REDDITCH man and a woman from Astwood Bank were killed in a road crash on the B4090 at Alcester Heath. Graham Meah, 44, of Dolphin Road, Abbeydale, was driving a black Vauxhall Calibra towards Astwood Bank. Jane Theron, 41, of Astwood Bank was driving
REDDITCH Royal British Legion club has been told to pay a former stewardess nearly £24,000 after a tribunal ruled she was unfairly dismissed while ill with an ear and throat infection. Elizabeth O'Donnel, of Southcrest, told a Birmingham employment tribunal
THE Primrose shop in Alcester Street urgently needs more volunteers to make a difference to the thousands of people the charity cares for from the town each year. The newly extended and improved Primrose Hospice cares for patients with life-threatening
THE chairman of Redditch Pakistan Community Forum has gone on a two-week trip to help develop a friendship link between the town and Gujarkhan in Pakistan. During a ceremony at the town hall on Thursday, Mayor Kieth Boyd-Carpenter presented forum chairman
THERE was a special homecoming for an interesting slice of Redditch history on Friday. Former Astwood Bank resident Albert Chatterley, a descendant of two needle-making families, dropped into Forge Mill Museum to present a rare heirloom. Mr Chatterley
I AM most concerned at the number of cases regarding gangs of around six yobs beating up people who are either on their own or with one other person. These cowards are, in some instances, causing facial injuries that could scar an individual for life.
THERE was a "tern" up for the books on Thursday at Arrow Valley Countryside Centre in Redditch when volunteers gathered to do their bit for a migrating bird. The British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) and Redditch Council are trying to encourage
I HAD to write to say how sickened I was by the killing of the swan featured in your newspaper (Advertiser, March 24). Hopefully, the culprits will be brought to justice over this and named and shamed. Perhaps our wonderful police force could step up
LAST Tuesday saw the launch of Wythall's new hourly "hail and stop" minibus service, which is free for the first six weeks. Councillors were on board for the first Local Link journey and the first few passengers enjoyed refreshments provided by Sainsbury's
I WOULD like to use your columns to extend my grateful thanks to the unknown lady who found my carrier bag in the Kingfisher Shopping Centre on the afternoon of Wednesday, March 24, and handed it in to security? I had very carelessly left the bag, containing
A CHARITABLE organisation set up in Redditch to help young people build self-esteem has been given a permanent home. During a Redditch Council executive committee meeting last week, it was agreed to allow What's Your Point to use The Bryant Centre in
THERE can be few who travel along Evesham Road between Crabbs Cross and Astwood Bank who have not noticed the transformation of several hundred metres of hedgerow which has been skilfully laid by the hands of a craftsman. It is lovely to see this skill
REDDITCH Council is currently asking for comments on its Draft Local Plan. This will set the outline for how the town develops in years to come. People often tell me what they want to see - and don't want to see - around the town. I'm using these views
SPEAKER Mr Kettle began his talk on the English Civil War in Worcestershire by saying that previous audiences had expressed the wish he had been their history teacher. His enthusiasm and knowledge brought to life this troublesome time in the 17th century
In September our secretary, Dorothy, embarked on a whistle-stop tour of Turkey. In two weeks she began at Istanbul then travelled along the south coast and west coast, taking photographic slides all the way. She brought six trays of slides to the meeting
THE latest lecture The Royal Castles of Bavaria, given by Hans Meeris, was an intriguing tale of opulence and obsession. It seems the extravagant King Ludwig II built many fine castles after he was refused permission to erect a building to honour his
THE boating season has now started and we are taking our charity boat Cecilia down the locks to Hanbury, where a picninc site will be opened and dedicated to our late chairwoman Brenda Morris, who was a wonderful friend to many canal people. Our first
REDDITCH YMCA has now launched its new and expanded pre-school nursery at Ravensbank First School. Over the last few months, the association had been looking to expand its premises as space was too limited in its Church Hill Centre base. The pre-school
April 2, 1954 Fearsome gradients, woodland tracks, grassland and a water-splash made up the 14 sections in a three-lap trial organised by and confined to members of Redditch Motor Cycle and Car Club. The winner of the premier award was John Houghton (
April 6, 1979 Cash-conscious councillors have trimmed the name of Redditch's sports centre to save ratepayers' money. They have decided to rename the Abbey Stadium Sports Centre "Abbey Stadium". The writing on the wall costs £45 a letter. By trimming
BROMSGROVE Indoor Bowling Centre's men's team (pictured) has won the first national title in the club's history after winning the Wessex League National Championships. In one of the closest finals in the competition's 21-year history, underdogs Bromsgrove
By Anne Tugwell AN Alcester couple have told how a luxury cruise in the Indian Ocean turned into a real test of faith when they became caught up in a cyclone. The Rev John Cook, a retired priest, and his wife Daphne were two weeks into their holiday off
PARK home owners in Alcester have been left out of a new recycling scheme - but no-one seems to know why. Two weeks ago, Stratford Council delivered green wheelie bins to nearly every household in the town for garden waste but none were left at Oversley
THE parish church in Bidford was packed for the funeral of one of its former vicars recently. Nearly 300 people paid their last respects to The Rev Tony Richards, who died earlier this month aged 75. Mr Richards was vicar at St Laurence's church for 11
A MAN and a woman have died after a road accident on the B4090, Alcester Heath. The driver of a black Vauxhall Calibra travelling towards Astwood Bank was Graham Meah, aged 44, of Dolphin Road, Abbeydale. The driver of a white Ford Focus travelling in
A FOSTER carers' agency in Worcester is moving to bigger premises after becoming one of the first in the city to be officially registered. The family-run Child Care Bureau was set up in June 2000 by Jenny, Sam and Graham Hemming who have been foster carers
THE execution of Mary Queen of Scots, featured in a recent television drama, has an undercover link with Coughton Court. For the chemise worn by the ill-fated queen when she met her death is one of the most treasured artefacts at the stately home. The
CAR companies in Worcestershire are being urged to shout their achievements from the rafters after it has emerged they are reluctant to boast their successes. The Accelerate Supplier Awards 2004 have been launched in a bid to celebrate and encourage the
Alcester Opportunities is aiming to enlighten residents about the valuable work it does - and stress it is not just available to youngsters. As well as a youth group, the scheme, based at the pavilion on Conway Fields, also runs sessions which support
THE U8s team from Droitwich Spa Rugby Club destroyed all in its path to win the St Mary's Tournament in Bristol last Sunday. Under the charge of Tony Feek, the side went unbeaten throughout the event and saw off Cleeve 25-15 in the final. Joe Ingle was
A WEIGHING machine manufacturer is poised for growth after joining forces with a packaging company. Easiweigh Ltd, based on Shrub Hill Industrial Estate, Worcester, has been acquired by GSH Holdings Ltd. Both firms deal in fresh produce and other food
WARWICKSHIRE schools and public places will become smoke-free zones if proposals by a group of county councillors come into force. A report considered by the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee has recommended that anti-smoking education be stepped
THE owner of a residential caravan park in Welford wants to expand the site. Peter Deakin, who runs Avonside Caravan Site, Binton Road, wants to increase the number of mobile homes from 30 to 36 and has submitted an application to Stratford Council. Mr
YOUNG musicians from Alcester and Studley hit the right note when they performed in a showcase concert on Friday. Organised by the Warwickshire county music service, the concert was one of a series designed to give the youngsters a chance to show off
THE Evening News is demanding action, not words, from Tony Blair today as we launch our petition to save eight planned county GP surgeries whose futures are in jeopardy. We also demand the Prime Minister gives assurances over the future of proposed community
THE family of a Worcestershire toddler has spoken of their disgust after their youngster - who is not old enough to go to school - was stopped by the police and accused of truancy. Sophie Hopkins, aged three, from Rock, near Kidderminster, was out riding
A SERIES of exhibitions featuring contemporary interpretations of Christ is taking place at Worcester Cathedral. The exhibitions celebrate 150 years of the UK Christian charity Biblelands, which funds and organises projects in the Middle East including
AT the end of this season the current non-league football pyramid will be re-structured to include a new tier below the existing Conference - Conference North and South. Pictured is a diagram showing how the new pyramid will look at the start of 2004/
A teenage arsonist rang Worcester police to confess 20 minutes after she began a blaze which caused £7,000 damage. Donna Littlewood set fire to her flat in a detached house used by social services to provide accommodation for people waiting for homes.
FOOTBALL fans can raise some money for charity at Bromsgrove Rovers next week. The Victoria Ground club's reserves are playing The Golden Cross in a friendly encounter on Wednesday, April 7, in an effort to raise cash for CLIC, Cancer and Leukaemia in
THE future of the Droitwich Lido has been put in the hands of the people. At a meeting last night, campaign group Save A Lido Today was told to come up with a business plan for the site in the next six months, or watch as it is demolished. The ultimatum
ADD pupils from a Droitwich School to a national mathematics contest and the result equals outstanding success. A total of seven students from Witton Middle School have been presented with certificates for their amazing performance in The Primary Mathematics
FOOTBALL-MAD workers have raised almost £1,000 towards a new children's hospice that is being built in Worcester. The workers - all employees of car dealerships and car rental companies in Worcester - staged a five-a-side football tournament in aid of
MORE school pupils in Worcestershire move on to study at university than the national average, it has been revealed. In 2002, 24.9 per cent of Worcestershire 18-year-olds went on to higher education, according to new research. The average for England
YOUNGSTERS from a Worcester school are planning a 13,000ft sky dive to help Bolivian orphans. A group of 11 sixth form pupils from Royal Grammar School, Worcester, hope to raise around £1,500 to provide the Aldeas Alalay orphanage with a minibus. They
BOAT lovers in Worcestershire say plans to breathalyse sailors and clamp down on drinking on British waterways will not affect the pursuit's popularity. A new law introducing a drink-drive limit for professional sailors is set to spread to recreational
A MAN has been disqualified from driving for three years after he was found to be almost three times the legal drink-drive limit. Nicholas McCrickard, of Ashgrove, Sinton Green, near Worcester, admitted drink-driving when he appeared before Worcester
FORMER cricket international turned TV celebrity Phil Tufnell will be visiting Worcestershire's New Road ground as part of a mammoth 500-mile charity walk. The winner of last year's I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here reality TV show will join forces with
Saturday, March 27, 2004 THE last four minutes of this tense local derby could transform Bromsgrove Rovers' season. Rovers were staring down the barrel of their fourth defeat in five games when top marksman Paul Szewczyk struck on 86 and 89 minutes to
THE Time Team has been investigating historical secrets which have lain hidden in Worcestershire gardens for hundreds or even thousands of years. And the results may be revealed at a meeting in Wychbold next month. Experts will be there to identify finds
A TALENTED songstress will be hoping to hit the high note at a gig in Bromsgrove next month. Louise Maguire, of Stoke Road, Aston Fields, will be performing with her new band Life In A Tin at The Crabmill, in Burcot Lane, on Saturday, April 24. The former
TWO top country and western musicians will be taking to a Droitwich Spa stage next weekend. Steve Chase and Middi will play for the End of the Trail Country Music Club on Friday, April 9. Club organiser Wilf Saunders has billed Steve Chase as 'the complete
A TIRELESS pensioner has compiled a book in memory of those men from in and around Bromyard who died during the two World Wars. Seventy-one-year-old Bob Hayward decided to write the book - For Us....They Gave Their All following a service in St Peter's
MEMBERS of St Peter's Parish Council have been asked to think of ways to encourage a higher public turn-out at their next annual meeting. Roger Knight, chairman, said the annual meetings were normally a "bit of a let down" as not many people would turn
THE worst-funded Local Education Authorities in the country met in Worcestershire and vowed to end the "postcode lottery" that determines school finances. The F40 executive committee - which represents the 40 poorest-funded local education authorities
MEN posing as water board workers targeted two Worcester homes on Monday - stealing £100 from one property. In the first incident which took place at about 3.32pm in Hawkins Close, Dines Green, Worcester, nothing was taken after a man gained entry by
A COUNCIL surgery for people to air their concerns is taking place in Malvern and Upton-upon-Severn this Friday. Malvern Hills District Council leader Councillor Tom Wells has been holding the monthly sessions at the customer service centre in Malvern
ANTIQUES Roadshow favourites Henry and John Sandon are to cast an expert eye over antiques and offer valuation advice at Worcester's Guildhall. Two professional valuers from Bonhams auction house will also be attending Friday's antiques valuation day,
A PENSIONER was hurt during a tussle with a car thief in Alvechurch on Thursday. The car owner, a man in his 70s, parked the gold Subaru Forester estate on his drive at about 6pm in the Aquaduct Lane area and climbed out to open the garage. He saw a man
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a woman fought off a man who tried to steal her handbag. The woman had walked along Easemore Road, turned left into Other Road and then right into the alleyway leading to Archer Road. She said "good morning" to
A man was attacked with weapons in a Redditch house after a drug user became angry over a phone call about her pregnancy. Lee Davies was prodded in the shoulder with a knife by Hayley Iles and beaten with a wooden stick by her boyfriend David Wilde. Wilde
Review - Abigail's Party at the Festival Theatre, Malvern. THIS is one party invitation you should never turn down - even though it probably has you squirming in your seat with a memory or two of gatherings past that were sheer torture and acutely embarrassing
MARK Robinson scored a hat-trick as Bromsgrove Men's First XI ended their season in style. Julian Court's side romped to a 5-0 victory at Barlaston last Saturday to cement third place in West Midlands One. Captain Court said: "It's good to get third after
BROMSGROVE Hockey Club Ladies Seconds' hopes of promotion from Worcestershire League division two are hang in the balance after a 4-0 victory at Droitwich Spa. The side's chances depend on relegations in other leagues. Last Saturday's second half goals
MIGHTY Mini racer Paul Crees put in a solid performance in his first race of the campaign at Donnington. After extensive repairs and improvements on his machine the Brockhill racer finished qualifying in 11th position out of a full grid of 28. But 10
THE Redditch Company of Archers closed their indoor season with a visit to the National Indoor Championships, held at the National Sports Stadium at Lilleshall. Four archers from Redditch passed through the morning qualification shoots to reach the final
PAT Lyons believes the disappointment of the Crawley defeat can spur them on to finish the season on a high. The midfielder insisted the result had not left them disheartened but merely whetted their appetite to challenge for runners-up spot. "We wanted
"HERE we go again" is how "despondent" Redditch Council employees are feeling after being told they face yet another shake-up of services in order to balance the books. Unison joint branch secretary Roy Banks said morale had been affected after discovering
A NATIONAL final at England's training base in Lilleshall awaits the Redditch School's under 11 team. The team made up of budding football stars from schools across the town have continued the success of last year when the under 12 and 13s teams both
Council officers are investigating a proposal to rename Batchley "Batchley Village" following a plea from residents. At a full council meeting on Monday, Councillor Pat Wilson said the suggestion, put forward by Batchley Neighbourhood Group, should be
SUNDAY evening sees the Palace Theatre host husband and wife team Anton Rodgers and Elizabeth Garvie with a light-hearted look at Love & Marriage. Accompanied by Christine Croshaw on the piano, the show explores the subject through the words and music
Blues Ladies came within four minutes of wrecking Arsenal's title hopes on Sunday only to leak a Jayne Ludlow winner. The visitors shocked their hosts when Vicky Gallagher scored on her first start but a Laura Bassett own goal levelled matters. Blues
LITTER pickers have been angered by Redditch Council's decision to axe official community litter picks because they have become "politically motivated". The decision came after weeks of heated debate between organisers over allegations they were using
SHAKESPEARE'S classic story of star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet, has opened at the Shakespeare Theatre. Part of the Stratford Festival 2004 season of Shakespearean tragedies, the play is directed by internationally renowned playwright and director
YOUNG cricket fanatics in Bromsgrove are being given the chance to get bowled over with top class coaching. Youngsters aged seven to 11-years-old are invited to join the Junior Boars Cricket Club run by Bromsgrove District Council's Sport Development
Thursday, April 1 Romeo & Juliet, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford. Various dates until October. Tickets from 0870 609 1110. Follow My Leader by Alistair Beaton, Main House, Birmingham Repertory Theatre. Until April 10. Tickets from 0121 236 4455
AVONCROFT Cricket Club made it four wins in a row in their Worcestershire Indoor League campaign with a comprehensive 55-run victory over Droitwich Spa C. The victory was again set up by a strong batting performance with Jon Bird, Richard Doodey and Mark
WORCESTER City have rejected a third bid by Weymouth to sign winger Adam Wilde. The Dorset club made a last-ditch effort to secure Wilde's services last night, ahead of today's transfer deadline. Wilde impressed Clarets player-manager Steve Claridge during
HEREFORD United were knocked off top spot in the Nationwide Conference last night when Chester City won 2-0 at Telford United. The victory restores the Blues' three-point advantage with Mark Wright's team having a game in hand. Second-placed Hereford
LOCAL pride is at stake this Saturday as Droitwich Spa RFC First XV host Pershore in their last home game of the season. The two sides, separated in Midlands Three West (South) by points difference in favour of fourth place Pershore, lock horns for the
VICTORY is paramount for Bromsgrove RFC First XV this Saturday to set up a Midlands Two (West) title decider at Derby on April 17. Dean Ball's side host Barkers Butts in their final home match of the season. Ball said: "We need to be buoyant and not be
THE Evening News is often inundated with letters from patients angered over the level of care or treatment they have received and don't know where to turn for help. Many patients don't voice their frustration because they either give up complaining or
LOCAL pride is at stake this Saturday as Droitwich Spa RFC First XV host Pershore in their last home game of the season. The two sides, separated in Midlands Three West (South) by points difference in favour of fourth place Pershore, lock horns for the
THE U8s team from Droitwich Spa Rugby Club destroyed all in its path to win the St Mary's Tournament in Bristol last Sunday. Under the charge of Tony Feek, the side went unbeaten throughout the event and saw off Cleeve 25-15 in the final. Joe Ingle was
FOR everyone connected with Bromsgrove Rugby Football Club, this Saturday marks the end of an era. Tony Finn is standing down as club president in June after 12 years and Saturday's final home game of the season with Barkers Butts will be his last at
VICTORY is paramount for Bromsgrove RFC First XV this Saturday to set up a Midlands Two (West) title decider at Derby on April 17. Dean Ball's side host Barkers Butts in their final home match of the season. Ball said: "We need to be buoyant and not be
AT the end of this season the current non-league football pyramid will be re-structured to include a new tier below the existing Conference - Conference North and South. Pictured is a diagram showing how the new pyramid will look at the start of 2004/
BARNT Green Spartak bounced back in style from their worst performance in six years to win 4-0 at in-form Northfield Town. Spartak, heavily criticised by manager GJ Singh after their 4-0 home loss against Blackheath, hit back with four of their own to
A GIRL'S football fun day will be held at Rubery Juniors FC next week. The Birmingham Football Development Scheme will be staging a day of skills, matches and games at Baytree Farm, Middle Lane, Wythall, on Thursday, April 8. The session, for girls aged
THE following waters have been booked by the Birmingham Anglers' Association. Saturday, April 3. Pools - Nordley No. 2. Canals - B'ham/Worcs Br. 41 - 42; Staffs/Worcs Br. 8 - 9. Sunday, April 4. Pools - Nordley No.4. Canals - B'ham/Worcs Br. 27 - 28,
Tuesday, March 30, 2004 KIDDERMINSTER Harriers wasted the chance of meeting Worcester City in the final of the Worcestershire Senior Cup when they crashed to an embarrassing 2-1 defeat against Sutton Coldfield Town at Aggborough last night. Harriers,
How it's all worked out... Every primary school in the country attracts a basic allocation of £2,006.14 per pupil, per year. There are two ways of increasing this figure, the first of which is "deprivation funding". Schools with pupils from certain ethnic
SEVERAL issues were raised in a recent letter from Mr Frank Howard and I would like to take the opportunity to state the Labour group's position in regards some of the matters he raised. Wheelie bins - I informed the public well over a year ago of the
HAVING taken a long Sunday walk from Stoke Heath to All Saints, I was absolutely amazed at the amount of people who live in Bromsgrove and use the by-pass verges as an extension to their back gardens. Take a walk yourself or just drive slowly and spot
A QUESTION that must be asked - what on earth is our MP, Julie Kirkbride, doing? While our town's residents suffer from council bungling and blustering, ridiculous refuse disposal schemes, and entering into exclusive agreements with anonymous companies
READERS may be considering a 'harmless flutter' on the Grand National, which takes place this Saturday. What many will not appreciate is the cynical exploitation of horses that lies behind the 'sport of kings'. Every year around 300 horses are raced to
THE Co-op Homestore in Bromsgrove would like to thank all customers who participated in the store raffle in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care. The winning ticket was purchased by Mrs D James who received her prize last week. The total raised during the week
THE council tax for 2004/5 will increase by 9.24 per cent for Band C. The district council told the public it would go up by five per cent. The district and county increases are five per cent each, the remainder is brought about by disgustingly large
THE county council has failed yet again to control spending and taxes have risen over eight per cent. So much for Government promises to cap spending over four per cent. The large pay increase given to striking fire fighters and the extra £100 given to
FOR the first time this year the fire authorities have a separate precept from the county to raise funds via the council tax. This has enabled the county council to claim a low headline rate of council tax of 5.1 per cent. However, if a direct comparison
Redditch 52 Alcester 0 AS mostof the Alcester pack made their way to Paris for a small matter of the Six Nations the rest of the squad took a battering as Redditch ran in four tries in each half. In fact the game was so one sided the referee finished
THOMAS Bullock, an engine driver from Gloucester, appeared before Bromsgrove magistrates charged with allowing his traction engine to blow off steam on the highway at the Whetty in Rubery. He told magistrates he was filling the boiler with water from
MANAGER John Barton has targeted runners-up spot after Worcester City's faint title hopes were finally crushed last night. Leaders Crawley Town sneaked a 1-0 win in front of City's biggest home gate of the season (1,856), ending their six-match unbeaten
Kings Norton 17 Telford 25 WITH original opponents Birmingham Civil Service withdrawing, the Kings drew Telford who play their rugby two leagues above the Ash Lane side. Telford started the brighter and took just 15 minutes before breaking through the
ONCE again your paper has over the past few weeks been inundated with letters from your readers lambasting elected Tory councillors and Wychavon District Council for their ignorance and blase attitude regarding the way our town of Droitwich is being run
THE Co-op Homestore in Bromsgrove would like to thank all customers who participated in the store raffle in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care. The winning ticket was purchased by Mrs D James who received her prize last week. The total raised during the week
READERS may be considering a 'harmless flutter' on the Grand National, which takes place this Saturday. What many will not appreciate is the cynical exploitation of horses that lies behind the 'sport of kings'. Every year around 300 horses are raced to
WE would like to know why Councillor Jenny Pearce and the executive board of Wychavon District Council decided to withdraw travel tokens for pensioners? There are 100 homes on Doverdale Park, all owned by pensioners aged between 74 to 84, who rely on
MAY I through your newspaper thank all the factories, shops, public houses, house-to-house collectors, street collectors and organisations who purchased wreaths, for their help to the Poppy Appeal in Droitwich Spa. The total raised this year was £10,235
WITH reference to the closure of the High Street in Droitwich Spa on Saturdays. Could anyone assist me in finding when this ban was removed, as the amount of traffic on Saturdays is truly excessive? Cars are parked from one end to the other while others
I FEEL a response is necessary to various points raised by Councillor Mrs Kate Spencer in her letter to the Advertiser last week. The 'handful of people turning out' for the lido demonstration numbered about 50. This was not bad considering the demonstration
IN the sweltering summers to come which are now threatened or promised (whichever way you see it), future Droitwichians might be told of the destruction by Wychavon of our open air 'sea water' Lido. If this destruction has taken place, in disbelief they
A REDDITCH business has been chosen to organise a prestigious charity event to raise funds for lung research. Marketing Management, of Astwood Bank, which was launched in 1999 by former Redditch Advertiser editor Andy Skinner and business partner Lynn
MORE than 40 jobs have been created with the opening of a new £3 million Reg Vardy VW dealership in Redditch. The Sunderland-based group was last year awarded the VW franchise in the region and has four dealerships branded Trust Volkswagen at Stourbridge
AFTER a £125,000 investment, the Nevill Arms pub re-opens today. The pub, part of the Brewers Fayre chain, has had an extensive makeover creating a stylish new interior for customers. A company spokesman said: "The Nevill Arms opens its doors to the public
LICKEY artists will be learning how best to use watercolour pencils at a demonstration this weekend. Michael Warr will be sharing his expertise on the subject at a meeting of the Lickey Hills Arts Society this Saturday. It will take place at Lickey Parish
A SURGE in business has seen Beoley-based packing, storage and logistics company Oakland International appoint a human resources and training manager. Claire Richards, who joined the company in October 2002 as PA to general manager Dean Attwell, has been
FOR the second year running, Studley-based Bright Kids Nursery was the only business to win two awards at a ceremony organised by Warwickshire County Council. The Warwickshire Employer of Choice Awards recognises employers who demonstrate they care for
A HOST of top acts have been secured to play at the Bromsgrove Folk Festival this summer. Risky Business, Red 10 and Craobh Rua are just some of the acts set to play at the three-day festival, which kicks off on July 9. Pete Harris and Mick Ryan and Harriet
MOUTH watering treats will be tempting foodies at a farmers market in Bromsgrove next weekend. Shoppers can find the freshest, locally produced foods from fruit and vegetables to eggs and sausages at the market on Saturday, April 10. It will run along
INQUISITIVE tots are invited to find an Easter egg at Hanbury Hall next weekend. The National Trust venue in School Road is hosting a weekend of Easter activities, including an egg trail, from Friday, April 9 until Sunday 11. It will run from noon until
A very interesting meeting was held last week, when Patricia Boyd took us through the lives of people upstairs/downstairs. A fascinating subject, where girls were taken into service from the age of 12 and only the stronger ones were engaged. Pay was poor
HUMAN trafficking is an international tragedy. Young women, boys and girls are brought from their homes, often from Eastern Europe or the Far East, into the UK or other Western European cities with the promise of a "better life". Many, probably most,
YOU reported (Evening News, Friday, March 19) of the rejection at the city council's planning committee held the previous day of a housing scheme on the former oil depot off Bath Road. An alliance of Conservative councillors, with one leading Independent
n THE fastest-growing political party in the UK invites everyone to "a joint debate". Why do the majority of politicians/councillors have a "neurotic fear" of talking with the "cannabis using community" about a "regulated control" of cannabis! Pro-drug
WITH reference to the area known as Mabs Orchard, would someone please explain why the city of Worcester is allowing itself to be bullied into changing its 2002 local plans? Warndon Consortium has objected to the local plan. Well, that's tough! Will someone
ON a bright but cold afternoon president Jenny Marsh welcomed 32 members and three visitors to our March meeting. Arrangements of camelias, daffodils and helibores had been organised by Molly Berkley and Sue Pugh. Congratulations were extended to our
YET again, we are subjected to Dr Matt Lamb's predictions on how the Conservative Party is failing this country without any substantive evidence - just his pure conjecture and opinion. Excuse my ignorance, but I thought we had a Labour Government in power
PARENTS of children at a Bromsgrove school spent a weekend full of worry after being told their younger brothers and sisters had been denied a place. Education chiefs admitted they had sent out the wrong letters after the Advertiser/Messenger pointed
ENERGETIC townsfolk are being urged to saddle up and join a fundraising bike ride on Easter Sunday. Regulars at the Park Gate Inn are inviting people to burn off those chocolate eggs with a 17-mile bike ride or an eight-mile walk in aid of a cancer charity
A BROMSGROVE high school has been named one of the best in the country following a glowing report from education watchdogs. Ofsted inspectors said South Bromsgrove High provides an "outstanding quality of education, with excellent teaching and standards
POLICE in Bromsgrove will soon be using the latest hi-tech equipment to detect people who have handled illegal drugs. Thanks to funding from the Crime and Disorder Partnerships, two new drug analysers have now arrived. The new analysers enable officers
SHOPPING will be child's play for mums and dads who come into town with their youngsters -- thanks to the opening of a revamped play area outside ASDA. A partnership project between Bromsgrove District Council and ASDA has seen a handsome cash injection
Renate Thorn was so furious with her bungled refuse collection that she dumped her rubbish on the Council House doorstep. Mrs Thorn, of Blackwell Road, Barnt Green, says she was at the end of her tether because, after numerous calls to the council, she
MARTIAL artists from Droitwich Spa are in top form after returning from two events with 12 medals. Six members of Droitwich Spa TAGB Tae Kwon Do squad won the medals at competitions in Bristol and Hereford this month. At the Tae Kwon Do TAGB English Championships
AN up and coming young cricket star, who plays for Avoncroft first team and who last summer turned out for the county's under 16 squad, suffered a freak accident while practising for the coming season. Fast bowler Jimmy Deakin became progressively ill
CAMP Hill Old Edwardians are looking for new players to join the club in time for the start of the 2004 cricket season. Based at Rumbush Lane, Earlswood, Camp Hill play in the second division of the Warwickshire League and have strong ambitions for promotion
A WELL-known Bromsgrove woman, who for many years helped care for patients at the town's cottage hospital, has died. Margaret Neenan, who was matron at the Ednall Lane hospital and later at Bromsgrove General Hospital, died aged 96 on March 18. The funeral
THE police are warning motorists not to leave their car keys on view at home after three high-value cars were stolen in Droitwich. An orange Mercedes C220 coupe, reg HV03 ZMU, was stolen in the first raid. The car was taken from a house in Sandles Road
TWO district councillors who until last year were leading members of the ruling Tory group in Bromsgrove, are calling for a former colleague to be booted off the powerful executive cabinet because they claim he rarely turns up for meetings. His continued
CLEVER youngsters from a local school put their thinking caps on to raise cash for charity. Children from Tibberton First School, in Plough Road, had to find 26 small items to fit into a camera film pot. Each of the 62 pupils were sponsored by family
FREE swimming for the over 60s in Bromsgrove could be scrapped in a bid to raise more cash. The move would mean senior citizens paying half price of £1.40 a visit, the district council's executive cabinet was due to be told today. (Wednesday) The cut
A TWIST on the popular fairy tale Cinderella was a big hit. Youngsters from Hanbury First pulled out all the stops for the production. The comedy saw Cinderella marry Buttons and one of the ugly sisters marry the handsome prince. School secretary Linda
THERE has been some unfairness directed at this film. The chief criticism has been that it is a pale replica of The Dead Poet's Society, with Julia Roberts and a coterie of doe-eyed lovelies doing for art what Robin Williams and his desk-stomping lads
SKIN tight leather trousers, leopard print T-shirts with the arms cut off and hair, lots of hair, bleached almost white. Here are rock legends Guns 'n' Roses returning to the music arena with a greatest hits collection of some, but not all of their best
TWO Barnt Green sides battled it out in the best match of the Bromsgrove and Redditch League this week. Barnt Green B's home division one clash with Barnt Green A saw the A team edge victory 6-4. The B team had led 4-1 but lost the next five games. Pat
ONCE again old Slowhand has produced the sort of album he could do sleepwalking backwards. 'Eric plays the blues' ain't exactly a new concept considering he's been playing them for nigh on 40 years now. No points for originality then. Robert Johnson,
THE first major competition of 2004 attracted 26 teams to Bromsgrove Golf Club. Last Sunday's The Spring Scramble featured more than 100 players on the Stratford Road course with M Mole, N Mole, A Philips and C Alton winning with a nett score of 54.2.
AN open evening is being held at Droitwich Spa Bowling Club next month. The Lido Park-based club on Worcester Road is opening its doors from 7pm on Friday, April 23, to anyone interested in the sport. And from May the club starts its friendly roll-ups
