BROMSGROVE Rovers face some lengthy treks in their bid to bounce back from the disappointment of last season. Rovers' failure to secure a top seven spot has seen them placed in Dr Martens Division One West for the start of the 2004/05 season. The Eastern
JOE Jackson has been named as the new manager of Bromsgrove Rovers. Jackson, who led Stourbridge to back-to-back Midland Alliance titles, was unveiled at the club's presentation evening last Saturday. He becomes the seventh manager in four years at the
A NEW £1m "Soccer Skills Centre" and athletics facilities for the city are close to clearing the final hurdle. Football pitches at Perdiswell Leisure Centre and the Nunnery Wood athletics track are set for a massive overhaul, giving young sports stars
WORCESTER estate agent Nigel Parker has been cleared of stealing antique fireplaces from a listed building which once housed Kays catalogue firm. But his barrister revealed that he could be sued for £180,000 - the amount knocked off the sale price of
TRAINS full of tourists were shot at and bricks were thrown through carriage windows during a family fun day at the Severn Valley Railway. Police are investigating three separate incidents, which left one man injured and four large windows broken at the
A MINIBUS which provided a lifeline for hundreds of elderly and disabled residents in Droitwich for more than 12 years has been stolen. The white Ford Transit, registration number K736 NOW, was taken from St Andrew's Road some time before 9.40am on Monday
WORCESTER, Massachusetts is less than an hour from an international airport, and within the same distance of ski slopes, east coast beaches and a major city, Boston. It prides itself on being in the heart of New England - centrally-located and near to
MORE hard-hitting posters featuring fat dripping from a cigarette are adorning billboards in Worcestershire in a bid to encourage smokers to ditch the habit. The overwhelming success of the British Heart Foundation's ''Give Up Before You Clog Up'' campaign
A DEVOUT Catholic and talented singer who was sent to Belgium to train as a nun is toasting a special date today - her 106th birthday. Teetotaller Catherine Bogg - thought to be the oldest person in Pershore - will celebrate the big day with family and
EVESHAM Police have appealed for information after a man sustained head injuries after he was attacked in Abbey Park. The victim said two men approached him and a colleague and one of them asked if he had any "dope". He said the other hit him on the head
A NEW innovative community environment centre, which will see waste being turned into art, has been officially opened in Worcester. The Worcestershire Resource Exchange, located on Gregory's Bank Industrial Estate, Barbourne, aims to help schools, community
BROMSGROVE Operatic Society stage Gilbert and Sullivan's 'Pirates of Penzance' at the Spadesbourne Suite, in Burcot Lane, until Saturday. Tickets are available on 01527 836379 and shows start at 7.30pm.
A MAN assaulted his girlfriend and tried to drag her out of his flat - because he thought she was using him, a court heard. Twenty-year-old Katie Green was punched, strangled, verbally abused and dragged along the floor in the vicious and unprovoked attack
WELL-established country and western group Kalibre will perform in Droitwich Spa later this month. The trio will put on a show for the End of the Trail Country Music Club on Saturday, May 22. It will take place at the Royal British Legion, in Salwarpe
NIGEL Morley and Michael Bell will tinkle the ivories in a delightful piano duet later this month. They will play music by Beethoven, Schubert and Rimsky-Korsakov at a concert of the Midlands Sinfonia on Saturday, May 22. It takes place at St Laurence's
THE acting headteacher at a Worcester high school has been permanently appointed to the job. Julie Farr was deputy head and then made acting headteacher of Bishop Perowne CE High School when Peter Warner left to join the National College of School Leadership
A TALENTED clarinettist will perform in Bromsgrove this Saturday. Mark Jones, a former student at South Bromsgrove High School, will play music ranging from Bach to Lloyd Webber at the Salvation Army Hall, in Carlyle Road. He studied at the Colchester
STUDENTS at Worcester Sixth Form College have received top marks for giving blood donations a real shot in the arm. College pupils, and staff, were recently recognised by the National Blood Service for holding successful donor sessions for more than seven
MAJOR improvement works to gas mains throughout Hereford's High Town will pave the way for a big clean-up of the city's shopping area. Between now and November, Transco will be replacing the existing gas mains - starting in Commercial Street and ending
DESPITE spending 101 gruelling days at sea, rower Richard Wood has been forbidden from trimming his beard - by order of his children. The father of three, who successfully rowed more than 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean, has been told by Nayna and
FIXTURES WEST MIDLANDS REGIONAL LEAGUE Friday, May 14 WFA Senior Urn final: Malvern Town v Alvechurch (at Evesham United, Common Road, 7.30). Saturday, May 15 Division One (South): Bustleholme Reserves v Malvern Town Reserves (2.45). Monday, May 17 Premier
ALCESTER'S MP John Maples has welcomed BT's announcement that all exchanges in Warwickshire are to be Broadband enabled. The firm announced last week the registration scheme was to cease immediately and all exchanges already triggered will have dates
THE driver of a car who drove around a man as he lay on the road after being assaulted is being urged to come forward. Two 23-year-old men were attacked as they walked home along Easemore Road after a night out at about 1.20am on Saturday. Three men and
AUSSIE snooker star Quinten Hann was a knockout hit at Redditch Snooker League's presentation evening. Hann, due to box against fellow snooker pro Mark King next month, made a top break of 135 as well as efforts of 83, 79, 73 and 62 during his exhibition
PART of the Alexandra Hospital had to be evacuated on Friday after a fast evaporating narcotic which sends people to sleep was spilt in the pharmacy department. Four fire crews were called to the hospital at about 3.30pm to deal with the spillage of the
Redditch Arrows 6 South Wales Warriors 6 Redditch Arrows and South Wales Warriors battled all Sunday afternoon only to see honours shared in the top of the conference clash. Both teams came into the game having won their opening fixtures and it became
THE Total service station in Birmingham Road, Mappleborough Green, was broken into in the early hours of Thursday. Thieves broke into the back of the building at about 6am and stole cigarettes and police are appealing for witnesses. Pc Martin Ward, at
IT is 50 years since Wales's most famous son Dylan Thomas died before the first broadcast of the radio play and stage performance of Under Milk Wood. Directed by Michael Bogdanov, this new production, staged to commemorate the anniversary and to celebrate
A PLAY about three "highly disfunctional" siblings returning home for their mother's funeral is Wythall Theatre Company's latest production at the Palace Theatre. The Memory of Water by Shelagh Stephenson is an award-winning comedy which charts how the
THERE was some mighty fine shooting by Greenlands clay pigeon gunners Geoff Green and Simon Jones at the recent Midland championships. Geoff Green was overall winner of the West Midlands Area DTL Championships, held at Doveridge Clay Sports, Derbyshire
BARNT Green Cricket Club First XI set up a National Knockout third round clash with Birmingham and District Premier Division rivals Wellington after a close six-run victory against Shrewsbury. Green, yet to bowl a ball in their first two league matches
STUDLEY A were held to a 2-2 draw with Inkberrow A in the Prudden Road Surfacing tennis league after last weeks heroics against champs Stratford C. Inkberrow pair Graeme Rankin and Andy Woodbridge stopped Studley in their tracks as they overcame Dave
A GOLF trip of a lifetime awaits amateur Gary Edmunds and his Redditch PGA professional David Down if they can come through the next stage of Europe's biggest pro-am competition, the Lombard Trophy. Edmunds, 56 from Alvechurch, took a big step towards
ROAD maps will be a necessity for followers of Evesham United next season after details of National League Restr-ucturing were announced earlier this week, writes Mervyn Collins. The Robins will lock horns with 11 new clubs in Dr Martens (Southern) League
Thursday, May 13 Celebrity Piano Recital: Evgeny Kissin, Symphony Hall, Birmingham. Tickets from 0121 780 3333. Romanian State Opera Brasov: La Cenerentola by Rossini (sung in Italian), Festival Theatre, Malvern. Also May 15. Tickets from 01684 892277
BROMSGROVE Cricket Club suffered another total washout last weekend with all matches home and away being abandoned without a ball being bowled. The club's First XI Birmingham and District League division one match with Stratford and National Knockout
COMMON Road will stage the Worcestershire FA Senior Urn final tomorrow evening. Alvechurch and Malvern Town, newly crowned West Midlands Premier Division champions, were scheduled to lock horns at Aggborough Stadium last Wedn-esday but the heavy rain
JOHN Brain has continued his summer shopping spree with the acquisition of Steven Sparks. Worcester Warriors' director of rugby has brought in the vastly experienced prop to beef up his pack as the newly-promoted side continue their countdown to the Premiership
WORCESTERSHIRE Saints' hopes of starting their season in style were dashed by hat-trick hero Andre Bam as they crashed to a 24-12 defeat at home to Oxford Cavaliers. The TotalRL.com Rugby League Conference South West Division clash proved a scrappy affair
WORCESTER City Amateur Boxing Club recorded three wins out of three bouts at Worcester Rugby Club. Midland schoolboy champion William Johns started the club off well with a unanimous points victory over Nick Hill of Derby. Johns was the busier during
NORTH Midlands made heavy weather of overcoming Leicestershire to book their place in the semi-finals of the Tetley's County Shield with a 22-13 win at Coalville. After leading 12-0 at one stage, North Midlands went 13-12 down until a late penalty from
FIVE players from Droitwich Spa RFC First XV have missed out on the final of the Robinson Low Francis North Midlands Championship. Tom Child, Andy Gallagher, Nick Irwin, Phil Horton and Nick Godfrey were all part of the Worcestershire and Herefordshire
REDDITCH voluntary groups who work with young people are being urged to bid for cash from the county council. An extra £250,000 has been pumped into Worcestershire County Council's youth service budget this year, so officials are asking those who provide
THE new chairman of Studley Parish Council is certainly keeping a family tradition alive. This year is the third time Bill McCarthy has been elected chairman of the parish council - the body which has a say on local planning issues, has lobbying powers
THE Annual Alcester Police Schools five-a-side Football Tournament, which has been run since 1989, took place at St Benedict's School on Saturday. There were 40 teams taking part from 23 schools across the Alcester and Henley areas. In the 11 and under
THE Conservatives got their local election campaign started when shadow secretary of state for local government Caroline Spellman visited the Abbey Stadium recently. The trip was part of her tour of the Midlands, which included Redditch, Coventry and
BROMSGROVE Rovers face some lengthy treks in their bid to bounce back from the disappointment of last season. Rovers' failure to secure a top seven spot has seen them placed in Dr Martens Division One West for the start of the 2004/05 season. The Eastern
FOOTBALLERS with disabilities can put their skills to the test by taking part in a fun festival. The Worcestershire FA is holding its second annual Disability Football Festival at University College, Worcester, on Thursday, May 27. It follows on from
A FUN-packed day of football skills and drills is being staged by Callowbrook Swifts U12s. The club have organised their football fun open day, aimed at players qualifying for U13s next season, for Saturday, June 12. Running between 11am and 3pm at the
EVERYTHING appears to be clicking into place for the Frizzell County Championship clash at Stratford next month. Even the wiring for the stump cameras is already fitted! Hotels in the town are reporting brisk business for the weekend when Warwickshire
THE Broad Acres Bank Holiday Monday open starts this week's results. Fished on the main lake, it was Bob Brown (Rover) who took a clear victory by pole fishing catmeat down the margins of peg 23 for 56-3-0. Ricky Keenan (Triplex) was second with 33-7-
LAST weekend was an alm-ost complete washout for Evesham Cricket Club. Saturday's Birmingham League third division clash at Penn was abandoned, as was the second team's home game. The third XI's Cotswold Hills League game at Flad-bury was also a victim
LANCASHIRE made a steady start after winning the toss and deciding to bat in their Frizzell County Championship Division One match against Worcestershire at Old Trafford today. Mark Chilton and Iain Sutcliffe launched their innings against the pace attack
Have any other readers in the Hollywood/Wythall area noticed what a disgrace our area is becoming? Due to lack of road-sweeping and litter everywhere, now we have wheelie bins permanently left our on pavements, and a Keep Left sign outside Sainsbury's
RECENTLY-introduced car parking charges and waiting restrictions on many roads in Bromsgrove town centre had upset members of the Chamber of Trade. Shopkeepers said the 3d (1p) fee was driving potential shoppers away. This week the urban district council
RECENTLY we held the first Antiques Fair in Bromsgrove's Market Hall since the introduction of Sunday parking charges. There is no reduction for the charges on a Sunday as opposed to the other six days. As usual the Antiques Fair was the main line for
MAY the Bromsgrove Branch of Save the Children thank all those kind people who so generously helped to collect or gave to our street collectors on Saturday, April 24. This raised £711 which was just better than last year - every penny is so valuable!
Alcester Rugby Club youngsters celebrated the end of another successful season with its awards day. Awards were presented by Lord Hertford to the best players who were Mike Badoud under 14's, Andrew Chung U12, Timothy Jackson U11 and Eliot Evans U10's
Redditch atheletes are preparing themselves for the town's 10k event on Sunday, May 23. The run around Arrow Valley Park, starts at noon and there's still time to get entries in. Forms are available from the Countryside Centre, Kingfisher Centre information
CONCERNED Ombersley residents have set up a petition calling for action over a fatal stretch of road which claimed the lives of two young men last year. Peter Luff, MP for Mid-Worcestershire, presented a petition of 415 signatures to Archie Robertson,
DOUBT, rumour, and uncertainty? Why are these words being linked in the press with the Mount School? In fact, our pupils, staff and parents are characterised by optimism, openness and confidence. The future's bright for pupils of the Mount School. We
IN Droitwich Spa it seems Wychavon District Council propose painting our water tower sky blue and planting a garden on top to soften its appearance. Will protruding mobile phone masts resemble lollipops and the surrounding shanties become a custard factory
HAVE any other readers in the Hollywood/Wythall area noticed what a disgrace our area is becoming? Due to lack of road-sweeping and litter everywhere, now we have wheelie bins permanently left our on pavements, and a Keep Left sign outside Sainsbury's
COULD our MP's live on the basic State Pension of £77.50 per week which is linked to inflation, while also letting council taxes increase above the rate of inflation across the UK? You have to admire politicians who are clever enough to base the length
MORE than 25,000 people dived into Butlins Swimathon 2004 in March and swam an incredible 20,000 miles for Macmillan Cancer Relief - that's almost once around the world! Aided by the new online personal trainer facility, swimmers across the UK went to
THERE have been several pro-hunting letters of late, including one which gave the impression you had to reside in the countryside to have an opinion about it. I was brought up in the countryside so perhaps my opinion would count? I have witnessed the
RECENTLY we held the first Antiques Fair in Bromsgrove's Market Hall since the introduction of Sunday parking charges. There is no reduction for the charges on a Sunday as opposed to the other six days. As usual the Antiques Fair was the main line for
HARRIERS 2, BOSTON 0 AT least six players were given what turned out to be their Kidderminster Harriers swansong on Saturday. Stuart Brock, Scott Stamps, Matt Gadsby, John Williams, Sean Parrish and Mark Yates, who all started in the 2-0 defeat of Boston
MEMBERS of the Harving-ton Society drove into the new season with a first visit to Wychwood Golf Club. Finding the course in excellent condition, to match the spring sunshine, hopes were high that some good scores would be posted. At the lunchtime interval
ENVIRONMENT Agency officers were out in force over the Bank Holiday weekend to reel in anglers fishing without a valid rod licence. Fishing without a licence is an offence and anyone caught fishing illegally can expect to face tough penalties, including
MALCOLM Brookes will give an illustrated talk on expressionism through the ages next week. He is the guest speaker at the Bromsgrove Art Club meeting on Tuesday, May 18. It takes place at the Red Cross Centre, in Barnsley Hall Drive, Lickey End, at 7.45pm
D E MARGRETT bemoans "many parts of Worcester no longer have a bus service". He should live out in the sticks - some villages now have only one bus a week. But we are in the vicious circle. There are fewer passengers, less income and - with the 30 per
RETURNING to North Worcestershire later this month is A Comedy Night Out. The show will be at several local venues and on the bill it brings two new faces to join last year's favourites Tony Palmer and Ian 'Sludge' Lees. Johnnie Casson is the comics favourite
LISTENING to the local news on the Boring Broadcasting Company, it suddenly struck me how much the BBC shapes our everyday language. Every BBC utterance now seems to be laced with the lexicon of the politically correct. The news story, which once again
OUR April meeting was well attended and reports were given on our progress in the skittles competition and the annual council meeting. Margaret Bradford, our delegate, entertained and informed us in her usual thorough and amusing way. Our speaker was
I WOULD like to add my thoughts to those of Seamus Kelly regarding Gheluvelt Park (You Say, Monday, May 3). I think it was wrong to remove the seats from the area near the main gates where many people pause to sit and look at the park. It is such a beautiful
AS I grow older, I tend to return to my past. Recently, I walked past the old "Nick" in Deansway, where I spent much of my adult life as a policeman. I smiled when I saw that they had renamed the building "The Worcester Lifelong Learning Centre." That's
AT our meeting on April 15, we were delighted to welcome Cynthia Hughes, whose demonstration was entitled Anything Goes. Cynthia's demonstration was based on the hit musical of the same name, as well as other music from the period. Cynthia made six delightful
AN angry resident has slammed housing chiefs for dumping container skips in front of his home for the last nine months. Pete Lunnon says his life is being made a misery by the containers, which builders working on the near-by Perryfields estate use to
A SIXTEEN-year-old Bromsgrove churchgoer, chosen for a special day with the Archbishop of Canterbury, has owned up and said she didn't recognise him. Natalie Pinfield was one of only nine youngsters from the Worcester diocese chosen to visit Rowan Williams
YOUNGSTERS at Tardebigge First School came up with a wheely good idea when they made some model floats for this year's Bromsgrove Carnival. As part of their project on wheels, the six and seven-year-olds broke out the cardboard and glue to make the models
DARLING buds visited a garden centre to help select shrubs and flowers to brighten up their world. Youngsters from St Godwald's Pre-School in Finstall went to the Little Heath Garden Centre to choose plants and equipment for their new outdoor play area
"IT'S not like going to work, it's like spending time with your family," said Ken Oliver of his 31-year career with the fire service. Sub-Officer Ken, from Bromsgrove's Windsor Street station, retired from the fire service last week and is looking forward
CHEERY children at a Bromsgrove school welcomed in the month of May with some traditional celebrations. Nimble-footed tots at Finstall First School held a special assembly for Mayday. Dances, which had taken months to perfect, were performed and the youngest
STEPHEN Sommers successfully resurrected an old horror favourite with The Mummy so one would have thought his track record would bode well for this latest venture. Sadly not. This take on the Dracula tale is unnecessarily convoluted, over-long and has
ANGER and disgust has been expressed following the theft of a community minibus seen as a vital lifeline for many elderly and disabled Droitwich residents. The white Ford Transit, registration K736 NOW, was taken from a car park in St Andrew's Road before
MUMS-to-be are being encouraged to breast feed their babies. The Bromsgrove branch of the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) has joined forces with a number of other groups to promote the importance of breastfeeding. The campaign takes place during National
CHILDREN as young as 12 are dicing with death by dangerously jumping across the roofs of towering town centre buildings. Bromsgrove police have issued a safety warning following reports of youths climbing onto the roofs of High Street shops and jumping
BROMSGROVE'S new refuse collection and recyling service is severely criticised in a report published this week by a cross party group of district councillors. The group will report back to the health and leisure scrutiny committee at a meeting next Tuesday
ENERGETIC youngsters are now starting the morning with a spring in their step with the introduction of aerobics lessons. Pupils from Wychbold First and Nursery School are put through their paces for six minutes every morning with a mini-aerobics class
A DISGRACED ex-councillor has become locked in a bitter battle with his former colleagues as he contemplates leaving the town he served for more than 20 years. Keith Rogers -- who was fined £5,000 last September for possessing indecent photographs of
MUMS and dads in Droitwich Spa who are dying for a night out on the tiles can now take advantage of a new babysitting service. Droitwich Spa and Bromsgrove have been chosen to pilot a new website, www.sitterswap.com, which will offer mums and dads free
DOTING animal lovers willing to open their hearts and homes to an affectionate puss should look no further than Casper. This black and white neutered male is currently in the care of Worcester and District Cats Protection. Publicity spokeswoman, Zoe Jenner-Jones
A SPA county councillor is set to promote pedal power as part of the Hearts First Worcester Bike Ride. Pam Davey, councillor for Droitwich South, will sell refreshments in Vines Park, Droitwich Spa, to cyclists on their way to the finishing line on Sunday
THERE'S nothing more painful than a comedy that's not funny. And in the unfunny stakes Stuck On You reaches heights of Everest proportions. Matt Damon and Greg Kinnear play burger-flipping conjoined twins living in small town America before aspiring actor
THE village hall was packed to the rafters for this Miss Marple whodunit. It was a very accomplished performance by the word-perfect cast for the tale, which follows the classic Agatha Christie formula of leaving lots of clues, red herrings and dead ends
SUPER swimmers have made a splash by achieving a whole host of top honours in their best-ever season. Members of Bromsgrove Swimming Club were in great form at the recent county and district championships, collecting 24 gold medals, 28 silver and 18 bronze
THREE stars, five stars, one star - I don't know! I hated every second of this album but who am I to judge. This American foursome from the late 80s have been assessed by far better than me. David Bowie decribed their work as: "just about the most compelling
SIDEMOOR Bowling Club is unique. Set away among the trees of Holly Road, the club has served its members for the last 81 years. Yet not one competitive wood has been bowled on its green - because it is the wrong size. Club founder William Crane donated
DROITWICH Dolphins Junior swimming team finished second out of six in the second round of the Nuneaton League at Tamworth last Saturday. Ben Rimmington secured the only individual win of the evening in the U10s 50m breaststroke. Taking second places in
ROAD maps will be a necessity for followers of Evesham United next season after details of National League Restr-ucturing were announced earlier this week, writes Mervyn Collins. The Robins will lock horns with 11 new clubs in Dr Martens (Southern) League
NOT content with completing a 2.5 mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and a marathon on successive days, Dave Granger now has his sights set on completing all three trials in the space of one day! The 47-year-old Great Britain international from Norton competed
LOCAL triathletes competing in the World Age Group Triathlon Championships in Funchal, Madeira on Saturday returned home after a successful trip. The Great Britain Age Group team proved the most successful on record winning an unprecedented number of
WYCHBOLD driver Matt Neal remains fourth in the British Touring Car Championship after rounds seven, eight and nine at Silverstone. Neal, aged 37, won the first race, was eighth in the second but was driven off the road towards the end of the third.
JOHN Brain has continued his summer shopping spree with the acquisition of Steven Sparks. Worcester Warriors' director of rugby has brought in the vastly experienced prop to beef up his pack as the newly-promoted side continue their countdown to the Premiership
WHAT an unbelievable season it has been for Redditch United. First becoming champions of the Western Division and now winning the Southern league play-offs against King's Lynn and Merthyr Tydfil to make their way to the new Conference North. The Conference
REDDITCH is to lead the way in sporting excellence after netting its biggest lottery windfall of more than £1 million. The money, from the lottery's Sport England and New Opportunities Fund, will transform Redditch Cricket, Hockey and Rugby Club in Batchley
COMMON Road will stage the Worcestershire FA Senior Urn final tomorrow evening. Alvechurch and Malvern Town, newly crowned West Midlands Premier Division champions, were scheduled to lock horns at Aggborough Stadium last Wedn-esday but the heavy rain
FORMER Karter and single-seater racer, 18-year-old Matthew Nicoll-Jones is currently competing in the Lawline British Clio Cup at the Toca Touring Car meetings across the country. Last weekend, the Wyre Piddle teenager competed at Silverstone where he
LOCAL triathletes competing in the World Age Group Triathlon Championships in Funchal, Madeira on Saturday returned home after a successful trip. The Great Britain Age Group team proved the most successful on record winning an unprecedented number of
STAFF and pupils from St Faith's Junior School led morning worship at St Nicholas' Church for the last time on Sunday, as the school prepares for its amalgamation with Alcester Infants School. The annual service has become a tradition, with music and
MAY I, through your columns, express my thanks to Dr Paton of Inkberrow (Letters, April 21) for setting the record straight regarding our MP and the proposed new health centre for the village. Following the very misleading leaflet distributed by Jacqui
A DULL misty day with drizzle falling didn't deter members and visitors at Throckmorton CPSC on Sunday. The conditions made for consistent targets and, on the Skeet Layout, it was John Arnold (25/25) who made his mark with his third maximum in as many
MEMBERS of Evesham and Arden clubs came together last Sunday at the town's Com-mon Road stretch of the river. Five boats from each club competed in the first round of the Avon Trophy, currently held by Arden. Although the river level had fallen there
APLANNING application has been filed to demolish Headless Cross Methodist Church and replace it with modern buildings. I wonder whether the congregation realises how much local people like and look forward to seeing the very individual open spire of their
WELL, the end of the football season has come around again and what a fantastic season it has been for Redditch United FC. From day one, the men from the Valley have led the Dr Marten's Western Division, a feat I believe has never been achieved at this
Southern League PLay-off Final Merthyr Tydfil 0 Redditch United 3 THE prize was massive - a win and they would play Conference football next season. But before kick off there was a calm and confident mood about the players and staff as they stepped from
THE Government stuck to its word this week announcing its intention to cap excessive council tax increases. Two authorities that cover Redditch are being told their proposed budget increases are too high and that action must be taken to cut the bills
A TWINKLE-TOED teenager has won yet another award in the European Dance 2004 championships. Seventeen-year-old dancing sensation Cherrelle Crooke, of Croft Close, Winyates, came fourth in the event, which was held at Pontins in Brean between April 23-
May 11, 1979 MILITANT mothers in Church Hill are threatening to keep their children away from school in a protest at a shortage of classroom space on the estate. And they have called on the support of a council education chief who visited Redditch this
May 14, 1954 REAL unemployment in the Redditch district is as low as it has ever been, it was reported last week to the Redditch, Bromsgrove and District Local Employment Company by the secretary, Mr TL Griffiths. Only 14 per cent of the insured population
A DERELICT site in Batchley is being demolished to make way for new homes. Garages in Ash Tree Road have been targeted by vandals and people living near the site welcomed the move, which will see six bungalows replace the eyesore. On Monday, the Mayor
AT the April 15 meeting, Cynthia Hughes gave a demonstration entitled Anything Goes. It was based upon the hit musical of the same name as well as other music from the period. She made six delightful arrangements, which were raffled at the end of the
THE chairman opened the May meeting by introducing speaker Jim Patterson, whose topic was paper making. Jim has spent all his working life in the paper making industry and now operates one of the few remaining European paper mills that specialises in
AT the April 29 meeting, the future programme and minutes of the last meeting were discussed. Secretary Carol Smith then welcomed speaker George Hook to talk about mother of pearl. Mr Hook's factory in Smethwick is the only manufacturer of goods made
A PLEA from the chairman of Hereford and Worcester Fire Authority has gone out for people to join an appeal to the Government to reconsider its decision to cap the authority. Last week's decision will mean a £2 million budget cut with serious consequences
MEMORIES and mosquitoes in the Maldives feature in the first book by a former Redditch midwife. Maldives Musings is a collection of autobiographical newsletters and extracts from Liz Banks' diary, containing her personal views on life in a different culture
RICHARD Burton's championship hopes suffered a setback when several of his fancied mounts were beaten at the Wheatland point-to-point at Chaddesley Corbett last Saturday, while his main rival Ashley Farrant rode a double in Somerset. The afternoon got
SUPER swimmers have made a splash by achieving a whole host of top honours in their best-ever season. Members of Bromsgrove Swimming Club were in great form at the recent county and district championships, collecting 24 gold medals, 28 silver and 18 bronze
JUNIOR rugby stars from Droitwich Spa High School have excelled themselves on the national stage by playing at Twickenham. The Briar Mill school's U13s, representing the North Midlands, reached the semi-finals of the Emerging Schools tournament, played
THE Redditch peace campaigner who has held a vigil for nearly three years outside Parliament was arrested and removed by police in the early hours of Sunday. Brian Haw, originally from Woodrow, has been charged with allegedly assaulting police officers
AUSSIE snooker star Quinten Hann took in Droitwich Spa last weekend as he made a whistle-stop tour of Worcestershire. Hann, who made headlines last month after squaring up to Andy Hicks at the world championships, was in town between exhibitions in Redditch
A MATHS teacher from Droitwich Spa is preparing to test herself against the best at the World Duathlon Championships in her first season in the sport. Celia Brown, aged 27, has been selected to represent Great Britain at the event in Geel, Belgium, on
WORCESTERSHIRE County Council's Fostering Team is busy promoting this year's national Fostering Fortnight campaign to highlight the desperate need for more caring families in Redditch. There are vulnerable children in the town who need someone to care
SMASHED windows and vandalised vehicles confronted staff and pupils at two Hollywood schools last week. A major clean-up operation took place at Woodrush High School and Youth Centre in Shawhurst Lane after a destructive "rampage" at about 3am on Wednesday
LAST Sunday's meeting of the Cotswold Youth Grasstrack Club was cancelled as a result of the miserable May weather. "We had our usual entry of 27 riders and had the big field to race on," said chairman Phil Greenwood. "It was hard to make a decision and
BADSEY Rec are one of five Worcestershire teams entered in this year's Blackthorn British Skittles Championships. Around 200 teams from over the south west and south Wales are expected to enter the championships that start next month with the regional
FORMER Karter and single-seater racer, 18-year-old Matthew Nicoll-Jones is currently competing in the Lawline British Clio Cup at the Toca Touring Car meetings across the country. Last weekend, the Wyre Piddle teenager competed at Silverstone where he
THE Bishop of Worcester will be visiting a village church to discuss the controversial subject of affirmation of gays and lesbians into the Anglican Church. The Rt Rev Dr Peter Selby will be at St Leonard's Church, Beoley, to talk about the issue, which
Evesham and District League FINAL action of what has been a busy season takes place next Wednesday evening at Evesham Hospital Club from 7pm. The Singles and Doubles finals will be contested before the presentation of prizes. Final standings Division
A DULL misty day with drizzle falling didn't deter members and visitors at Throckmorton CPSC on Sunday. The conditions made for consistent targets and, on the Skeet Layout, it was John Arnold (25/25) who made his mark with his third maximum in as many
MEMBERS of Vale Triffid super raft team took part in what is thought to be the final 100-mile River Wye Raft Race. For the first time in the last ten years, the team consisted of ten men - Andy Rattue, Gary Pickering, Steve Cooper, Jeff Rignall, Graeme
AN AMERICAN theme will take over Shakespeare County Raceway this weekend when the American Car World Nationals rumbles through the sleepy Warwickshire countryside. It's the time of year for the annual two-day celebration of some of the most outrageously
ST CATHARINE'S Primary School recorded a fourth successive win at the annual netball tournament staged at Chipping Campden School. The girls posted convincing victories in their opening group of matches, scoring 27 goals with none against to book a place
Cirencester Town 0 Redditch United 3 REDDITCH United are champions of the Dr Martens Western division. The Reds started the season on top of the division and that's exactly where they have finished up... and five points clear of their closest rivals.
A COUPLE of encounters with Bredon last weekend saw Broadway continue their winning ways in the Concorde League while also progressing in the National Double Rink competition. On another soggy Saturday, Dennis Hall led the way for Broadway with a convincing
A DOG with a love of swimming sparked a major rescue operation on Sunday when he got trapped in a tree in a riverbank and nearly drowned. Barney, an 11-year-old golden retriever, swam across the swollen River Arrow at Oversley Green and when he tried
YOUNGSTERS hope to have raised £300 towards repair work on Alcester's skate ramp with a sponsored event on Sunday. About 30 teenagers skated round and round the Greig Centre sports hall during the three-hour event, one setting a record of 900 laps. The
PLANS by Warwickshire Police to push ahead with a new communications system have been criticised by a campaigner in Alcester. The force announced this week that work is to begin on alterations at the control room with the aim of getting the O2 Airwave
A COMPANY that is launching an e-mail translation product has already reached its minimum funding requirement following a share issue. The Evening News reported on Tuesday, May 4, that Translution Holdings Plc, on Malvern Hills Science Park, Malvern,
THE inspector heading the inquiry into Stratford District Council's draft Local Plan is to visit the former Maudslay site in Great Alne before deciding on its status. Owners Maudslay Park Ltd want the green belt site to be deemed suitable for development
A high-tech project that is set to "revolutionise the way small and medium firms do business" is due to be revealed tomorrow. The Digital Business Ecosystem project will help firms compete in world markets by achieving better customer relationships, producing
ASK any parishioner to name three things the Rev David Capron is passionate about and they would probably come up with rugby, real ale and railways. You could add to that cricket, stamp collecting, walking, birdwatching, classical music and the fact that
AN Alcester schoolgirl was one of the first in the county to make use of a revolutionary new learning system designed to benefit sick students. The girl, who cannot be named, suffers from depression and anxiety which have forced her into prolonged absences
A REDDITCH charity is on the lookout for men who can help support carers who look after male friends or relatives. Carers Careline, based at the Ecumenical Centre in Evesham Walk, is a charity which provides a vital lifeline for vulnerable people and
COOKHILL Village Hall's building and refurbishment project is making great progress and should be finally getting under way soon. The £325,000 cost of the scheme has been raised over many years through the generosity of residents and businesses in the
JULIE Kirkbride, MP for Bromsgrove, has expressed her support for residents in their battle to stop proposals for an incinerator in Hopwood. The chimney at Mayfield Farm, off Canalside in Hopwood, is still a hot topic with residents, who last month presented
A NUMBER of events will be held at Redditch Library on June 12 as part of the Community Arts Festival Event (CAF) At 10.30am, the Live Ember event will see performance poets explore the link between poetry and spirituality. Shirley Thompson will then
YOUNG Katie Harris and Luke Jordan, of Harry Taylor First School, were treated like celebrities recently when they performed the ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new store nearby. The youngsters were also presented with a £250 cheque for their school in
LANCASHIRE made a steady start after winning the toss and deciding to bat in their Frizzell County Championship Division One match against Worcestershire at Old Trafford today. Mark Chilton and Iain Sutcliffe launched their innings against the pace attack
MALVERN Town finally clinched the West Midlands League Premier Division title following last night's 2-0 success at Bromyard Town. In a dramatic finale to the league season Malvern pipped Tipton Town to the title having seen their Black Country rivals
NIGEL Williams stamped his authority on Worcester St Johns Cycling Club's Spring Road Race by clinching a comfortable victory. After winning the Evening News Trophy in the club's August race last year, Williams (Python RT) returned to Worcestershire in
JUNIOR rugby stars from Droitwich Spa High School have excelled themselves on the national stage by playing at Twickenham. The Briar Mill school's U13s, representing the North Midlands, reached the semi-finals of the Emerging Schools tournament, played
REDDITCH residents are being urged to shape up and get ready for the Mission Impossible waste challenge set to hit homes across the town. Worcestershire County Council, together with Redditch Council, has set the scheme that challenges households to cut
HEADLESS Cross under 14s are netting more silver than the proverbial pirate after completing a double double. The Central Warwickshire Youth Football League team successfully gained promotion and double honours for the second year in succession after
Calling all coaches. Level three licenses in football coaching is being offered by the Worcestershire FA at the end of the month. The UEFA 'B' badge is available to all who have the level 2 coaching certificate and wish to become more committed to coaching
A SURVEY published on Monday by the Department of Health showed that serious "misunderstandings" could be stopping women from breastfeeding. As the country celebrates national Breastfeeding Awareness Week, health reporter Emma Cullwick talks to a Worcester
NEW Olympic have won their second cup final of the season on penalties. The Advertiser/Messenger League division one side defeated division three Star and Garter 4-3 from the spot after drawing 1-1 in the LMS Shield final at Redditch United on Sunday,
PLACES are still available on a UEFA B coaching course being run by the Worcestershire Football Association. The course, for people who have completed their level two coaching certificate, runs at University College, Henwick Road, Worcester between 9am
FIRST time entrants Bad-sey Under-15s reached the semi-finals of the 24th annual Worcestershire Cricket Board Indoor Sixes tournament. The Ballards Park you-ngsters scored 88-0 to overcome Pershore who had scored 81-3 in the first round. Badsey then scored
A SECOND wet weekend has left cricketers in the Cotswold Hills League, sponsored by John Sheppard Estate Agents, cursing the unpredictable English climate. At least a couple of matches reached positive conclusions last Saturday after the previous weekend's
THERE are now more A-level A grades awarded than ever before - a fact which should be celebrated by hard-working teenagers everywhere. But the result is that thousands of top students are being rejected from their first choices without explanation. A
DOUBT, rumour, and uncertainty? Why are these words being linked in the press with the Mount School? In fact, our pupils, staff and parents are characterised by optimism, openness and confidence. The future's bright for pupils of the Mount School. We
IN Droitwich Spa it seems Wychavon District Council propose painting our water tower sky blue and planting a garden on top to soften its appearance. Will protruding mobile phone masts resemble lollipops and the surrounding shanties become a custard factory
GRAHAM Reddie, 53, from East Road, Bromsgrove, had landed the job of chief architect with Redditch Development Corporation. He had already been responsible for the overall planning of Redditch town centre and the refurbishment of the Palace Theatre. MAY
ASSISTANCE is sought as I am researching my family history and find that my great grandparents came from Webheath, Stoke Prior and Bentley Pauncefoot. Their names were Tomlin and Warmington. I wonder if any descendants still live in the area? If so I
THE farming enterprise at Bromsgrove Workhouse showed a profit of £89, according to the accounts drawn up last Michaelmas and at Lady Day. The master had also been given the go-ahead to purchase a large tub for scalding pigs and to buy two new mole traps
THERE have been several pro-hunting letters of late, including one which gave the impression you had to reside in the countryside to have an opinion about it. I was brought up in the countryside so perhaps my opinion would count? I have witnessed the
Scottish International and British Lion Craig Chalmers entertained Kings Norton Rugby Club players and guests at their annual end of season dinner. Chalmers presented awards to the Ash Lane players at the Westmead Hotel in Hopwood on Friday, April 31.
ASSISTANCE is sought as I am researching my family history and find that my great grandparents came from Webheath, Stoke Prior and Bentley Pauncefoot. Their names were Tomlin and Warmington. I wonder if any descendants still live in the area? If so I
MAY the Bromsgrove Branch of Save the Children thank all those kind people who so generously helped to collect or gave to our street collectors on Saturday, April 24. This raised £711 which was just better than last year - every penny is so valuable!
ON behalf of WRVS I would like to thanks all the WRVS volunteers from across Bromsgrove and the surrounding villages. Our volunteers work hard each day to ensure that we deliver hot meals to isolated older people across the area and to help provide transport
THERE will be a strong local contingent at Sunday's Gloucestershire Junior County Golf Championships at Stinch-combe Hill. Mike Stradling and Richard Hartop from Naunton Downs have both been given early morning start times for the 36-hole tournament,
LAST Saturday saw Eve-sham's men's May Medal held on an extremely tough course playing long with unforgiving rough penalising any wayward shots. However, three players in Division One shot identical sub-par rounds and could only be separated on countback
A FLOURISHING Bromsgrove drama group is asking townsfolk 'Let us Entertain You' with their latest show. The Lickey Players are staging two nights of sizzling entertainment at the nearby parish hall in Old Birmingham Road this Friday and Saturday. The
AUDITIONS for a Droitwich Spa pantomime take place this weekend. Potential actors and chorus members can try out for Jack and the Beanstalk at the Norbury Theatre, in Friar Street, this Sunday between 9.30am and 12pm. People must be aged over 14, with
AN inspirational Droitwich Spa artist is inviting residents to her exciting new exhibition. Pauline Reed is holding a display of her work entitled 'An Adventure in Mixed Media' at Kidderminster Library until May 22. The former art teacher decided to organise
FOOTLOOSE and fancy-free residents are invited to boogie on down to a new singles disco this weekend. Droitwich Rugby Football Club, in Hanbury Road, is hosting the over 25s disco this Friday and every week afterwards. It starts at 8pm and there will
Wednesday, May 12 Show: The People Next Door, Belgrade Theatre, Belgrade Square, Coventry. Until Saturday. Comedy: Joe Pasquale, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton, 7.30pm. Comedy: Bill Bailey, Hippodrome Theatre, Hurst Street
Evesham and District AC & Partnership's ROUND seven of the club's 12-match spring season, sponsored by the Bradford and Bingley Building Society, was fished last Sunday on the Heron Pool at Hillview, Tewk-esbury. The match also incorporated the second
I WAS very pleased to read in You Say that five super nurses are being trained to prescribe certain drugs. Having recently spent 10 days as a patient in Worcestershire Royal Hospital, I was discharged one morning at 11.30 but had to wait until 5pm while
CHAIRMAN Ruth Bottomley welcomed members to the April meeting when our demonstrator was Penny Christison and whose enigmatic title was Whatever... Her arrangements were colourful and imaginative in choice of material and shape of containers and they included
I WOULD like to know how Marina Duffell thinks she will be able to cross the roads in Worcester if the traffic was travelling at 10mph. At this speed, all the vehicles will be nose-to-tail providing no gaps to allow pedestrians to cross at any point other
CATSHILL WI member Ann Day, a very accomplished and talented needle woman, entertained members at the April meeting with an interesting talk and demonstration on patchwork quilting. Ann told members that her interest in handicrafts had begun at an early
THE title of Mrs Anita Wright's demonstration at the Rosehill Flower Arrangement Society's April meeting was Purely for Pleasure, and this is what coming to the Lickey Parish Hall at 2pm on the second Monday of the month really is. Mrs Wright captivated
CHAMPAGNE corks were popping at a Rubery sports centre after it was awarded a generous cash boost of £5,000 from your No. 1 community newspaper. Rubery Leisure Centre, in Holywell Lane, will receive the grant courtesy of the American-based Gannett Foundation
GOOD sports at a Rednal school swapped their pens and pencils for the putting green. Rednal Hill Junior School, in Irwin Avenue, unveiled its brand new, permanent Tri-Golf course at a special ceremony last Thursday. Sandy Jones, the chief executive of
CRICKET clubs faced another disappointing weekend with the stormy weather playing a major role. Birmingham League division two and three sides Studley and Redditch both had their games abandoned as did Feckenham, and Alvechurch and Hopwood in the Crusader
A WIDOW is angry at having to wait almost a year to have a bench dedicated to the memory of her dead husband. Jinny Campion has spent the last year, since her beloved husband John died, battling to have his long service with Bromsgrove District Council
AN angry resident has hit out at the mindless vandals who are using the empty property next to his home as a dumping ground. George Mason, of Rock Hill, has been battling for seven years against the people who have turned the Victorian house into what
GUITARS are being tuned, sets rehearsed and outfits planned for the biggest youth event in the county. Bromsgrove's Youth Carnival will take place at Waseley Hills Country Park on June 5. Youngsters from across the district are getting in a spin planning
GETTING set for a busy time are Worcestershire County Council's Fostering Team who face a hectic two weeks promoting this year's national Fostering Fortnight campaign (May 10 to May 21) to highlight the need for more foster carers in the Droitwich Spa
RICHARD Burton's championship hopes suffered a setback when several of his fancied mounts were beaten at the Wheatland point-to-point at Chaddesley Corbett last Saturday, while his main rival Ashley Farrant rode a double in Somerset. The afternoon got
DR Simon Penn, a man who perhaps did more than anyone to put Bromsgrove's Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings on the map, has died. Simon died on Saturday after a long illness. He is thought to be in his mid-40s. A native of Smethwick, Simon got his
RESIDENTS concerned about anti-social behaviour in Cofton Hackett are being given a chance to air their feelings at a meeting on Monday. The meeting was scheduled for last month but was postponed because too many people turned up for the size of the room
RESIDENTS living on a new Bromsgrove estate are ready to fight plans for more houses on a site originally set aside for shops and a nursery. The site off Regents Park Road, in The Oakalls, is currently an open area of undeveloped land which was held for
YOUNGSTERS from a Droitwich pre-school were in their element recently as they celebrated their 10th anniversary. Safehands Childcare Ltd celebrate 10 years in business this month and all the children at the nursery and pre-school, in Old Coach Road, were
THE ruling Tory group on Bromsgrove District Council has been accused of being "spiteful and vindictive." The attack follows the ousting of two experienced Independent councillors from representing the authority on outside bodies. There has been bitterness
GREEN Party members and supporters will be out on the streets of Droitwich tomorrow (Thursday.) They will be joined by Chris Lennard, the party's European Parliamentary Candidate for the West Midlands. Greens are hopeful of gaining a seat here in the
A LOCAL Government ombudsman has been called in to look at fresh evidence over claims a Droitwich sports club has been "ripped off." Droitwich Rugby Football Club sold its 13-acre Hanbury Road site eight years ago on the understanding that three of the
HARD drug use, fanatical shoplifting, self-harm, sex with grown men and an introduction to lesbianism - not the antics you'd usually associate with 13-year-old girls. Tracy (Evan Rachel Wood) is an everyday teenager, more interested in hanging with her
THIS film is definitely one for the girls, or mothers old enough to have daughters of 15. It tells the story of mother and daughter duo Tess and Anna Coleman, whose prickly relationship with each other will strike a chord with many females in the same
AUSSIE snooker star Quinten Hann took in Droitwich Spa last weekend as he made a whistle-stop tour of Worcestershire. Hann, who made headlines last month after squaring up to Andy Hicks at the world championships, was in town between exhibitions in Redditch
A MATHS teacher from Droitwich Spa is preparing to test herself against the best at the World Duathlon Championships in her first season in the sport. Celia Brown, aged 27, has been selected to represent Great Britain at the event in Geel, Belgium, on
DROITWICH Spa golf ace John Bickerton continues to endure a torrid time on the PGA European Tour. Bickerton, aged 34, has not made the cut in his last seven tournaments, dating back two months. His latest performance saw him card one over par in the British
LIZ and Ted Newton brought success to Bromsgrove Golf Club by winning the Staverton Open at Daventry last weekend. The pair won the event in Northampton with 62 points. But it was not quite a similar success story in the West Midlands League where the
CUTNALL Green Tennis Club enjoyed success in the sunshine in their latest round of matches. The men's A team won 4-2 at Bewdley last Sunday, while the ladies A team secured a winning draw at Madley, Hereford. At Bewdley, Green's number one pair of Chris
BROMSGROVE cyclist David Barnes and Wyre Forest CRC team mate Chris Morris had a superb time trial race last Saturday. Barnes was seventh and Morris third in the Worcester St Johns CC ten-mile time trial at Severn Stoke. Morris finished strongly against
THERE'S bound to be a sparkle in the step of Pershore High School pupil Laim Munn when he gets the chance to play at Stamford Bridge on Monday. The Year Ten pupil has earned the chance to take part in the Coca-Cola Play at a Top Football Stadium competition
Evesham and District League FINAL action of what has been a busy season takes place next Wednesday evening at Evesham Hospital Club from 7pm. The Singles and Doubles finals will be contested before the presentation of prizes. Final standings Division
THERE'S a Family Fun Day at Worcester Racecourse on Sun-day when there will be entertainment for children, including a bouncy castle village, face painters, clowns and a caricaturist. Officials at Pitchcroft will be hoping the course has dried out sufficiently
THE second week of fixtures in the Prudden Road Surfacing League covering the South Warwickshire and District Area, saw Stratford B pull clear after an unexpectedly easy win over Littletons A. Challengers Studley A, meanwhile, were being held to a draw
REDDITCH offenders who repeatedly refused to pay their court fines had an unexpected surprise on Friday when police and warrant officers came knocking. Officers turned up on doorsteps and demanded the cash owed to the magistrates' court be paid or offenders
NEW powers to close premises which are being used to produce or supply hard drugs will soon be used in Redditch. Legislation under the Antisocial Behaviour Act will enable the police, together with Redditch Council, to tackle "crack houses". At present
Pre-season friendlies Sat July 12 Evesham (a) 3-1 Lewis, J Williams, Paschalis Sun July 13 Stratford (a) 1-0 Ward Sat July 19 Boldmere (a) 6-1 (og), J Williams 2, Lightbourne, Wilding, Danks Mon July 21 Leicester (h) 1-1 Shilton Sat July 26 West Brom
I COULD not believe my eyes when I read your report on the Age Concern and Pension Service centre which has open in Wythall to offer advice to the "over 50s" (Advertiser, May 5). I do not need any help in filling in forms or a surgery to give me advice
THE fascinating history of Feckenham was recreated at an exhibition in the village hall at the weekend. The display was researched and produced by Feckenham Forest History Society and was staged with the help of funding from Awards for All and the Feckenham
REDDITCH Council's executive committee will tonight decide the fate of a proposed skating facility in Morton Stanley Park which has caused a huge rift in the Headless Cross community. The committee has been given three options - to agree to provide a
AN elderly couple had to be rescued from the River Arrow after their car was swept away by floodwater. The couple, both in their late 70s and from the Hall Green area of Birmingham, were crossing the ford in Coughton Lane, King's Coughton, last Tuesday
ON April 15, members attended the annual dinner at The Three Horseshoes, Wixford. In May, Brian Moore will talk about children in urgent need in Romania.
COMMENDATIONS were today being presented to 24 police officers and staff based at Redditch police station. Chief Supt Mark Howard, of North Worcestershire Division, was due to hand out certificates for bravery, arrests and securing sentences for serious
May 12, 1904 THOMAS Tolley, of Redditch, an old offender, was brought up in custody charged with begging alms on the 10th inst. Pc Lea said he saw the prisoner loitering about in Church Road. He went into the police station and watched the prisoner for
CONSERVATIONISTS trying to save a 150 year-old oak tree due for the chop showed up in force on Sunday for a demonstration. Campaigners from Redditch Tree Action Group joined people opposing a large housing development on a beauty spot at the top of Rough
AFTER the meeting on April 15, members agreed this was one of the most entertaining speakers we have ever had. George Hook said he was the managing director of the Midland's (and possibly England's) largest pearl button manufacturer. It became apparent
REDDITCH United will play their last game of the season on Saturday...the biggest in their history. United were crowned champions of the Dr Martens Western on Saturday after beating Cirencester. But their was no time to stop and look back on their glory
ON May 4, about 27 ladies gathered to celebrate Merry Wives' 36th birthday. A lovely meal was enjoyed at The Masons Arms, Wilmcote. Chairman Vickie Barker gave a toast to absent friends and gave special thanks to Viv Egan for organising the event. The
THE third print competition was held recently. Ken Brown won first and second place in the mono primary section with Quiet Mooring and American Style. Graham Walton won the secondary section with Steam in the Sidings and David Keel was second with Under
A REDDITCH woman is opening up part of her home, her garden and a library filled with books collected by her late husband to the public. Canon Ray Adams, who was rector of Ipsley Team, died in France in 2002 while working as a holiday chaplain for the
SIDEMOOR Bowling Club is unique. Set away among the trees of Holly Road, the club has served its members for the last 81 years. Yet not one competitive wood has been bowled on its green - because it is the wrong size. Club founder William Crane donated
OLDER residents can raise issues concerning them at a meeting being held this month. Redditch Over 50s Forum, which has been running for about a year, is hosting the session at Redditch Town Hall on May 20 at 10am. Since the group began, members have
IT was full steam ahead at the weekend as Redditch Model Railway Club gathered for its 25th exhibition at the town hall. There were plenty of working layouts on show, ranging from 2-7mm scales, together with sales stands. But the centrepiece was the club's
MORE than 1000 athletes battled it out at one of the biggest sprint triathlons in the country. The Stratford National Expo Triathlon, hosted by Excellent Promotions/Saucony Running Shoes, acted as a build-up to the National Sprint Championships that will
AFTER the disappointing cancellation of last year's event due to a tangle of red tape, organisers are pleased to report that the 2004 Inkbe-rrow Charity Fun Run is back. It will take place this year on Sunday, June 6 with the 9K Bull Run getting under
BIDFORD residents are thinking of hiring their own security guard to protect their property. Homeowners in High Street are so fed up with damage to their cars and houses, they are considering paying a private firm. Mark Smith, who recently found a petrol
Evesham Invitation League A MATCH against Worcester Dream Team proved a nightmare for the players representing the league in the latest Worcester Inter-League contest. The second placed Worcester squad won 16-5 on a day when bad luck and poor form combined
A REDDITCH chartered surveyor will be racing the Monaco Grand Prix this weekend in his 40-year-old Elva DKW. John Truslove has been invited to take part in the Formula Junior class at the Grand Prix Historique de Monaco. The Historique event this weekend
THERE'S a Family Fun Day at Worcester Racecourse on Sun-day when there will be entertainment for children, including a bouncy castle village, face painters, clowns and a caricaturist. Officials at Pitchcroft will be hoping the course has dried out sufficiently
MEMBERS of Evesham and Arden clubs came together last Sunday at the town's Com-mon Road stretch of the river. Five boats from each club competed in the first round of the Avon Trophy, currently held by Arden. Although the river level had fallen there
MIKE Knight had busy weekend of racing on two days last weekend. The Cycle Stuff member rode the Corinium CC Open ten-mile Time Trial last Saturday on the U48 course near Ashton Keynes. It was another miserable day weather wise but, undeterred, Knight
MORE than 20 sturdy Eve-sham Wheelers set off in wet conditions towards Upton--on-Severn last Sunday. The A team embarked on a tough route into the Malvern Hills through Cropthorne, Flad-bury and Pershore before passing the National Trust property of
