Archive

  • Big welcome to Peter

    YOUR Advertiser/ Messenger has a new man at the helm of the sports section - and he wants to hear your sporting stories. New Sports Editor Peter McKinney, 26, has joined from The Bromsgrove Standard to provide you with all the latest news, views and results

  • Fly-half Birch is back in the fold

    FLY-HALF Matt Birch is set be available for Bromsgrove Rugby Club's difficult trip away at Scunthorpe on Saturday (2.30pm). The indispensable kicker is set to make the long trip up north after his wife gave birth to a baby girl last week. His absence

  • Alex is on our screens

    A BROMSGROVE man is starring in a Channel 4 programme, which shows him trying to reach the big time in the world of musical theatre. Musicality, which is based on the hit show 'Operatunity', follows hopeful singers who dream of ending up on the West End

  • Musical talent is all in the family

    DROITWICH Spa's much-loved End of the Trail Country music club will play host to a father and daughter team on Friday, November 19. Merv and Maria promise to perform a super show on the back of dad Merv's recent solo success in the country music world

  • Local talent for national show

    A GROUP of talented home-grown dancers are busy wowing audiences as they grace the stage in a national musical production. Nine girls from Malvern's Cecilia Hall Dance Centre in Church Street, are involved in the production of Annie. The girls are Sabrina

  • Textile artist visits

    A LEADING textile artist is due to visit Worcester to give a public lecture about her work. Paddy Killer, a member of the 62 Group, will address the city's branch of the Embroiderers' Guild. "Her work is mainly machine embroidery and her pieces are very

  • Gladys is 100

    JOLLY pensioner Gladys Barnes puts down the secret of her long life to the occasional tipple. And the sprightly Worcester lady cracked open the bubbly yesterday as she celebrated her 100th birthday. Mrs Barnes was joined by friends and relatives at The

  • Drugs caution

    A 16-YEAR-old Bidford youth has been arrested for possessing cannabis. The lad was one of four youngsters questioned by police when they were called to a disturbance involving motorised cycles in the Queensway area of the village on Sunday, October 31

  • Needy appeal

    AN Alcester man is planning to revive a town tradition in the hope of raising cash for charity. Mathew Skinner wants to relaunch the house-to-house collection in aid of Children in Need, on November 19, and is looking for volunteers to help him. The collection

  • Final date for musicians

    YOUNG musicians from the Alcester area are tuning up to compete for a prestigious title and cash prize which will help them in their studies. The Young Musician of the Year competition, organised by Alcester Singers, will take place at Alcester Grammar

  • Change of role costly for firm

    AN ALCESTER man who complained he returned from sick leave to find he had been demoted from his job as transport and purchasing executive to handling quotes for roofing has been awarded nearly £12,000. The award was made to Andrew Braziel, of Blackthorne

  • Fun with a serious message

    CHILDREN at Great Alne Primary School were entertained by a clown with a serious message last Monday. The Super Road Safety Magic Show has been developed by former road safety officer Richard Rozelland and reminds youngsters to Stop, Look, Listen and

  • Vandals target couple's home

    A SMALLWOOD man says his life is being made a misery by vandals who have daubed his house in paint three times in less than two weeks. John McKinnon and his wife's house in South Street has been sprayed and splashed each time at about 11-11.30pm. Twice

  • Witness plea renewed

    A MAN has died following an incident at the Sticky Wicket pub, Matchborough Centre, on Saturday, October 9. Brian John Nilsson, 50, died on Wednesday, November 3, at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham. A post mortem gave the initial cause of death

  • Sue sparkles among 'ahs'

    Review - Annie at the Festival Theatre, Malvern (until Saturday) DASH along now and grab your seat for that 'feelgood' show. You won't find them coming much better than this. Starring Sue Pollard as Miss Hannigan, the corrupt and drunken guardian of a

  • Cameras are there to ensure safety

    THE chaos in Worcester city centre yesterday afternoon will have affected thousands of people's lives. Workers were evacuated from buildings, roads became gridlocked and streets were cordoned off as police reacted to the discovery of a suspect package

  • FORCE IS WITH MAY

    NEW signing Rory May had a dream start in a Redditch shirt as his two goals helped United into round two of the FA Trophy. The 6ft 5ins striker who has also played at Lincoln City and made one appearance while on loan at Coventry, netted before and after

  • Make it a special summer

    THE Redditch Advertiser has teamed up with the Redditch Special Olympics team to help raise cash for next year's National Summer Games in Glasgow. The 18-strong team need to raise more than £5,000 in order to get to the finals in July 2005. To help get

  • Rush-ing back to the top

    WOODRUSH RFC players are still in wonderland after their historic league win against promotion hopefuls Kings Norton and now coach Matt Elwell believes his team of underdogs has got what it takes in the North Midlands One. As all the clubs took a deserved

  • Hospital woe sparks appeal

    A LACK of crucial medical equipment at a hospital in a Pakistani town linked with Redditch has prompted an appeal to raise £25,000 to build a trauma centre. Redditch has formed a friendship link with Gujar Khan from where most of the town's Pakistani

  • Police appeal

    POLICE are appealing for witnesses to an alleged assault which took place between 1-1.30am last Thursday on Unicorn Hill, Redditch, which left a man with a broken jaw. DS Chris Aslett said: "We've seized CCTV tapes and would also like to hear from anyone

  • Update on line

    INFORMATION about any criminal activity going on in Redditch is to be passed on to more than 60 neighbourhood watch schemes in a pioneering project using email. South west police sector beat manager Pc Richard Waterhouse hopes contacting co-ordinators

  • Duke awaiting fate after public inquiry

    A TWO-day public inquiry was held last week into the fate of the old Duke of Marlborough pub in Alcester Road, Studley. Following months of wrangling over the fate of the pub, a planning inspector heard from prospective developers McCarthy and Stone as

  • Star show how to shine

    Continental Star 5 Feckenham 2 A DEFEAT which left the Millers second from bottom in the Midland Combination Premier league and also left boss Lee Adams questioning his own position. Feckenham had gone in at half time with a slim 2-1 advantage but missed

  • THE DAY THE CITY STOOD STILL

    YOUNGSTERS were escorted from nurseries, shoppers asked to down baskets and workers were ordered to halt work and go into the Worcester's streets. It came as part of Worcester city centre ground to a halt following the discovery of a suspect package beneath

  • Amelia left brain damaged at birth

    A DISTRAUGHT mum claims surgeons at the old Worcester Royal Infirmary left her baby paralysed and brain-damaged after an emergency caesarean section went wrong. Anna Jones has already received £10,000 compensation after bungling doctors left her in agony

  • New faces for a classic story

    THE Royal Shakespeare Company's Winter season at Stratford opens this week with the return of last year's successful family show Beauty and The Beast. Written and directed by Laurence Boswell, this year's production has been "substantially re-imagined

  • Deadly Droitwich smash seven in biggest win so far

    ED DEACON inspired Droitwich to their biggest win of the season so far in the West Midlands Division One as they thrashed Yardley 7-0. Deacon's four-goal haul helped put struggling Yardley to the sword. Captain Paul Atkinson (2) and Andy Harris also hit

  • Hall hat-trick saves Boars' bacon

    PETE HALL maintained his excellent scoring record as Bromsgrove men drew 3-3 with local rivals Redditch in the West Midlands Division One on Saturday. Hall was hero and villian for Bromsgrove as he missed a late chance to score a dramatic winner at Arrow

  • Leaders far too strong for Spa

    DROITWICH 2nds made the short trip to Coaching Solutions West Midlands Premier leaders Harborne and went down 2-1 on Saturday. Spa produced a spirited second half after conceding two early goals from short corners. Droitwich opened the second half in

  • Chess club on move

    CHESS: HEADLESS Cross Chess Club had a convincing win over Hagley recently thanks to two wins from David Richardson and Penny Wood. Three draws from John Holberg, Russell Sanders and Mark Hore also helped the Cross cause. The club runs two teams, which

  • Milestone for Millfields

    FOUR decades of care will be celebrated today at a Redditch centre dedicated to providing services for adults with learning disabilities. Staff, service users and carers at Millfields Day Centre, in Middlehouse Lane, Enfield, are holding a 40th birthday

  • 10/11/04 - Grand effort by City for injury-hit player

    WORCESTER City chairman Dave Boddy praised supporters for their contribution towards the collection organised for injury-victim Aaron Kerr -- which was today totted up at £1,350. Just over £505 of the collection was handed over by fans for 'keeper Kerr

  • Warriors snap up Premier finisher

    PAUL Sampson's first job for Worcester will be to gun down the club he snubbed. The winger, who has impressed during a brief trial period for Worcester Warriors, has today signed on at Sixways until the end of the season. And the 27-year-old could yet

  • Director of football quits lowly Town

    MANAGERLESS Pershore Town were left in further turmoil yesterday following the resignation of the club's director of football Richard Anson for personal reasons. Anson's shock departure from the struggling Midland Combination Premier Division outfit comes

  • Olympic ace hungry for more titles

    HE'S won the highest accolade his sport has to offer. Yet winning individual Olympic gold and Great Britain team silver on Shear L'Eau in the three-day event is by no means the culmination of a successful career for Leslie Law. Fresh from his Athens achievement

  • Semi is spot on

    Tamworth Ladies 1 Redditch VC 1 (Redditch VC win 3 - 2 on penalties) Redditch VC are through to the semis of the league cup after a dramatic penalty shootout victory against Tamworth. VC keeper Nicky Metje was the difference after pulling off a string

  • New hope for good relations

    STRAINED relations between Bromsgrove Council and parish councils look set to be healed with the introduction of a new charter. Moves were made to introduce the initiative after the district council's executive committee met parish councils in Bromsgrove

  • Get your whistles ready

    FOOTBALL: WORCESTERSHIRE FA is holding a nine-week referee course for anyone interested in taking up the whistle. To combat a shortage of referees in the county the course will start on Friday, November 19, at 7.00pm and continues on consecutive Fridays

  • Streets ahead

    FOOT-TAPPING show 42nd Street is Redditch Operatic Society's next production at the Palace Theatre. The rags-to-riches tale concerns young chorus girl Peggy Sawyer, played by Susan Tudbury, plucked from obscurity to star in Broadway show Pretty Lady after

  • Fixtures

    SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13 Football Southern League Division One West: Bromsgrove Rovers v Thame United (3pm kick off) Midland Combination - Two: Droitwich Spa v Handsworth United (2pm kick off). Smedley Crooke Memorial Charity Cup:Cadbury Athletic Reserves

  • Droitwich stunned by Bedworth blitz

    Bedworth 33 Droitwich 3 Midlands Three West (South) DROITWICH'S relegation fears grew larger after a moral sapping loss to their fellow basement battlers on Saturday. Winless Spa remain rooted at the bottom of the table after they lost to the side above

  • Fly-half Birch is back in the fold

    FLY-HALF Matt Birch is set to be available for Bromsgrove Rugby Club's difficult trip away at Scunthorpe on Saturday (2.30pm). The indispensable kicker is set to make the long trip up north after his wife gave birth to a baby girl last week. His absence

  • Junior round-up

    Bromsgrove under-10s almost won their first trophy in eight years at the North Midlands Festival on Sunday. The young Boars made it to the final, but lost to Worcester 25-0. In their first group game James Harborne scored the decisive try against Droitwich

  • On the road

    BELATED thanks to a couple called Keith and Sandra (and Sandra's 85-year-old mother) who were in a car travelling through Fairfield the other night. I suffered a flat tyre, and as panic set in a silver car pulled up and these very pleasant people offered

  • Swim-skate

    SHAL I abandon in poetic prose, what I hold dear and still propose; To have the brine pool up and running, all painted bright and looking stunning. Next summer could be hotter still, don't let our youngsters lose the thrill; Of sunny days whilst keeping

  • No bridge

    REGARDING the plans for the Mill Lane Development in Bromsgrove the suggestion to close the pedestrian crossing from 'ASDA' car park, (Bob Stather's letter of last week), is only practical for agile pedestrians, and even they have a reluctance to use

  • Absentees

    AS a parent of two children at Catshill Middle School, Bromsgrove, I was very disappointed about the lack of attendance of other parents, guardians and carers on the evening when the annual report of the school's governors was presented and the Parent

  • More profit

    I READ with interest the article 'Get tough with the parking rebels' and the comments made by John Moody about Bromsgrove's new parking system "making it fairer for everyone by ensuring that those who abide by the rules do not end up subsidising those

  • 10/11/04 - Warriors snap up Premier finisher

    PAUL Sampson's first job for Worcester will be to gun down the club he snubbed. The winger, who has impressed during a brief trial period for Worcester Warriors, has today signed on at Sixways until the end of the season. And the 27-year-old could yet

  • 50-up for Redditch

    Worcester Wanderers A 0 Redditch A 50 THE high-flying Kingsfishers kept another clean sheet as they returned from Worcester with another resounding victory. The first team had learnt lessons from their last friendly away to Bromsgrove and took a full

  • Rovers stun Halesowen

    Bromsgrove Rovers 2 Halesowen Town 1 FA Trophy ROVERS' biggest crowd of the season was treated to a spirited clash as the home side caused a shock in the FA Trophy. Joe Jackson's men produced a gritty performance to dump their high-flying neighbours from

  • No reward for Spartak

    Castle Vale 3 Barnt Green Spartak 2 SPARTAK were brought down to Earth with a bump by Castle Vale in the Midland Combination Premier Division. Twice manager GJ Singh's side allowed their opponents back into the game. Karrol Hamber had put his side ahead

  • Spa secure semi-final spot

    Droitwich Spa 3 Malvern Town Reserves 1 Worcester Nursing Cup Quarter Final Droitwich progressed to the semi-finals of the Worcester Nursing Cup with a hard fought victory over Malvern Town Reserves. For the first half an hour Spa struggled to find the

  • Everett sets Spa on way

    Greenhill Reserves 1 Droitwich Spa Reserves 3 Midland Combination Division Three Spa returned to winning ways on Saturday with a well deserved victory at Greenhill. Droitwich started strongly and produced some good football despite playing on a particularly

  • Damp squib

    Redditch Exiles 0 Dudley Kingswinford 19 THE Exiles had hoped for fireworks but only got a damp squib as Dudley Kingswinford lit the touchpaper and ended up sparkling more than the home side. Injuries and other commitments did not help the Redditch cause

  • The ladies fightback

    Malvern Town 7 Droitwich Spa Ladies 1 In a game of two halves Spa were ripped apart at will by a strong and experienced Town in the first half, and trailed 7-0 at the break. But Spa came out in the second half and took the game to Town and out played

  • On the road

    BELATED thanks to a couple called Keith and Sandra (and Sandra's 85-year-old mother) who were in a car travelling through Fairfield the other night. I suffered a flat tyre, and as panic set in a silver car pulled up and these very pleasant people offered

  • Health care

    I READ S Neary's letter with anger regarding the closure of Fusion in St Andrew's Street, Droitwich. She gives the impression it is a shame that the drug users of our town have to be humiliated in attending the doctor's practice like everyone else for

  • It's a myth

    TYPICALLY of pro-hunt supporters, B. Lammas appears short on facts but long on misinformation in his/her recent letter. The claim that 'the fox is officially classified by DEFRA as vermin' and 'hounds do an efficient job of pest control' is laughable.

  • Behaviour

    I JUST have to say a big 'thank you' to the despicable being who encouraged/allowed his dog to urinate on my son's bike whilst he was playing with his friends and then called over to him 'you'll need to clean your bike son!'. This was in the Parklands

  • Absentees

    AS a parent of two children at Catshill Middle School, Bromsgrove, I was very disappointed about the lack of attendance of other parents, guardians and carers on the evening when the annual report of the school's governors was presented and the Parent

  • Lost time

    WHEN I pay my fee into the car park machine in Bromsgrove I have a contract to purchase a set time for a set fee. Any unexpired time given to a person as a gift does not raise additional revenue except by selling the unexpired time again. The recipient

  • Not me!

    RARELY would I rise to the bait thrown in my direction but I really couldn't ignore Jim Brant's letter in last week's edition. Jim attributes last year's music festival in Droitwich to me. No, Jim, I did the carnival the year before which though very

  • Bus mystery

    WHAT has happened to the Barbourne buses from Warndon? I waited 45 minutes to go to a doctor's appointment (which I missed) as no bus turned up during that time. But six no 33 came past - almost empty - in that time. F THOMPSON, Warndon, Worcester.

  • Gnat bad

    WITH the welcome publication of MPs' expenses, is it coincidental that they all live within a gnat's whisker of the maximum - £120,000. Or, is the going rate for an accountant at the same stratospheric levels as solicitors? ROGER MARTIN, Badsey.

  • Year's work will be on parade

    ARTISTS who have been working on projects for the last year will get a chance to showcase their work in the Lickey Hills Art Society's 22nd annual exhibition at the weekend. More thanr 160 pictures on show in a variety of media from watercolours to oils

  • Error over fox control

    MR P Bunce (You Say, Tuesday, November 2) was absolutely right to point out my technical error regarding fox control. I should have stated that under sections 98 and 99 of the Agricultural Act 1947 and the Agricultural (Scotland) Act 1948 the fox is clearly

  • Chaddesley Corbett Gardener's Club

    Members enjoyed an evening with Keith Ferguson, being introduced to some Mediterranean plants suitable for the English garden. Local man David Mills will be coming along tonight (Wednesday) to tell us about beekeeping. However many times you hear David

  • Why not adopt the French system regarding casinos?

    REGARDING the Government's plans for the creation of casinos throughout the country, my concern is that the ownership of them will be from outside and therefore the profits will go out of the country. Could we not adopt the French system, where each local

  • Bromsgrove Railway Club

    Back to the Future is the subject of this months meeting, and will be in the form of a cine film presentation with Redditch-based John Constable. John has been collecting cine films for many years, with some going back as far as the 1940s. There will

  • Sympathy for hunted animals

    WHILE the hunting debate may appear complex it is in reality both simple and fundamental. At its core is how we view quarry, such as the hare. Is the animal a mere toy for our amusement or a sentient being to be protected from unnecessary suffering? Because

  • The Primrose Choir

    THE choir's most recent performance has been at the Primrose Proms Concert sponsored by the Primrose Hospice and Cancer Help Centre. This annual concert featuring the Primrose Choir and the West Midland Light Orchestra took place as usual in the Spadesbourne

  • St John's residents stuck to their guns

    LIKE Phil Hinton (Evening News, Friday, October 29) I have resisted the temptation to jump in on the Christopher Whitehead saga, principally because I live on the other side of the river (not the "pond" as does Mr Hinton). His parallel with educational

  • 'We can't get in' - claim

    DISABLED townsfolk have slammed access facilities in Bromsgrove labelling them "inadequate" and a "disgrace." Wheelchair-bound John Moore, of Brueton Avenue, expressed his concern following an article in last week's Advertiser/Messenger about access to

  • Helping hands

    STUDENTS from a town school have been helping younger pupils get to grips with work, reading and information technology. Every Wednesday, a group of pupils from North Bromsgrove High pay a visit to Tardebigge First School, in Church Lane, to assist the

  • Plain sailing

    WORK has begun to repair a much-loved windmill at Bromsgrove's main tourist attraction. The 19th century windmill, rescued from Danzey Green, Warwickshire, and re-constructed at Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings in Stoke Heath back in 1969, had its

  • Anger after park is ruined

    RESIDENTS living near Sanders Park and Perryfields claim they have paid a heavy price for a close up view of the weekend fireworks and the circus in Perryfields Road. Janet Lunnon, who lives in King Edward Road, said the events created a nightmare for

  • Anger over school trip

    AN angry parent has slammed a town school after they asked parents to provide a vegetarian packed lunch and to make their children wear headgear on a trip to Islam, Hindu and Sikh places of worship. The 150 year eight pupils at St John's Middle School

  • Exel-lent at forging links

    A DROITWICH Spa firm is extending its hand to the community through a series of exciting initiatives. Exel Logistics, based on the Berry Hill Industrial Estate, has spent the last 12 months forging links with a host of schools, sports clubs and community

  • Mixed report for prison

    INDEPENDENT watchdogs have praised staff at Blakenhurst prison for making good progress in the face of difficult circumstances, which have included a number of suicides. The report, carried out by the Independent Monitoring Board, has special praise for

  • Stolen car in chase appeal

    A STOLEN car overturned on the A38 at the Copcut island in Droitwich Spa while it was being followed by police. Police are appealing for witnesses after the grey Nissan X-Trail 4x4 flipped over during the chase last Tuesday at 1.13am. The three occupants

  • Youth centre pays dividends

    ANTI-SOCIAL teenagers are no longer making the lives of Catshill residents a misery. That's the claim from Bromsgrove District Council just a year after it pioneered a project to get youngsters off the streets and into a youth club. Council chiefs, along

  • 25 years ago

    November 9, 1979 REDDITCH folk have been given the chance to help shape the future of the town. They are being asked for their comments on the county council's structure plan for Redditch in the 1990s. Residents will be able to tell the council whether

  • Staff strike over jobs axe

    SPA civil servants took part in a one-day strike on Friday over Government plans to axe 100,000 jobs. Staff at the VAT office in Worcester Road were called to the picket line by the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS). The union represents 88 customs

  • New year date for Spa models

    WANNABE starlets now have until after the New Year to submit their applications for a top beauty contest being held in Droitwich Spa. The closing date for application forms for the Miss Droitwich competition has now been moved to January 24, 2005. The

  • Mr Bean 1 (U)

    Any DVD which holds within it 90 minutes of anything broadcast on ITV is almost certainly going to be an exercise in pain to watch. Mr Bean is of course no exception, particularly as we see Rowan Atkinson, one of Britain's finest comic actors, debase

  • The Verve This Is Music: The Singles 92-98

    IT may have been six years since The Verve said goodbye to the studio with lead singer Richard Ashcroft (the one with all the talent) deciding to go solo. But those clever record industry people have struck gold and the tills will be ringing again this

  • Travis 'Singles'

    After what seems like years of hibernation, Travis have elapsed from their dormant state with a bang. Hugely popular in the late 90s with hits like Why does it always Rain on Me, Turn and Writing to Reach You, it seemed they could do no wrong. Although

  • Killer Smile Lisa Scottoline

    This is the latest in a series of legal thrillers by Lisa Scottoline centred on an all-female Philadelphia law firm. Scottoline's own background is similar and so she writes with confident authenticity. The central character in this novel is Mary DiNunzio

  • William to the rescue

    AN Alvechurch boy has been praised for his bravery after saving his mother's life after she fell into a diabetic coma. Eight-year-old William Kelly, of Robin's Hill Drive, rushed to his mum Julie's rescue when he found her unconscious last Thursday morning

  • Show support for Poppy Appeal

    REMEMBRANCE Day this year falls on Sunday, with services in Redditch at St Stephen's Church in the town centre and St Matthias and St George's Church in Astwood Bank. May I take the opportunity, through the pages of your newspaper, to urge everyone to

  • Albert's search

    FOR the former leader of Redditch Council Albert Wharrad, there's an added personal poignancy to this year's Remembrance Day following the unlikely end to a decade of research on his uncle, who was killed in the First World War. Two weeks ago Mr Wharrad

  • 'Encouraging' year for prison

    AN annual report on the state of Blakenhurst Prison has criticised delays in dealing with Immigration Service detainees there. The Independent Monitoring Board report said it was worried about keeping these people in a local prison with few facilities

  • Dress is star of the show

    A STAR of the silver screen will be the centrepiece of a new Redditch exhibition charting the history of aspects of costume design. The display - Beads, Buttons and Bows - at Forge Mill Museum features the taffeta dress worn by Nicole Kidman in the Oscar-winning

  • Fond farewell to top solider

    A FULL military funeral will be held for a popular Redditch soldier who died following a tragic motorbike accident last month. Former Abbey High School pupil Stuart Rogers, 23, had always dreamt of joining the Army and was a keen member of the Headless

  • 'Uphill battle' on rats

    AN "uphill battle" is being fought against rats in Redditch - partly because people are not disposing of litter properly, say Redditch Council. A huge number have been spotted of late, especially by shoppers and workers in the Church Green area. Council

  • Happy to be strung along. . .

    A CHANCE meeting with a popular American singer-songwriter led to a Woodrow man launching his own guitar-making business. Paul Hancox and his wife Linda met Christene LeDoux when she was on tour, supporting Brian Kennedy in Wolverhampton. IT worker Mr

  • No excuse for abusing disabled parking bays

    I FEEL I must reply to the correspondents who have written excusing their behaviour for abusing disabled persons parking bays. There can be no excuse for such abuse. I am a wheelchair user and my biggest, yes I mean my biggest, problem is finding a disabled

  • Noise was worse than before

    SINCE the introduction of the law this year banning fireworks from being set off in public places, I would imagine the law has been broken in excess of a thousand times a night for the last three to four weeks. I have phoned the police on four occasions

  • We do pay for our cars

    I have had to put pen to paper and reply to E Baylis. I contracted polio when I was a small girl, which left me with a left leg that was useless. Later on when an operation went wrong with a right leg, that was also useless. I have worked all of my life

  • Merry Wives of Alcester

    ON November 2, the Merry Wives enjoyed a pleasant evening with Fran Hale demonstrating how to decorate gift boxes. With Christmas not far away, members no longer have any excuses on how to tie that really professional bow. Carol Newbrook won the raffle

  • Welford trounced

    NATIONAL champions Bromsgrove Indoor Bowls Club comfortably overcame Welford-on-Avon on Sunday. Victories for Steve Parker, Neil Smith, Adie Burbidge,Nick Aubury and Neil Brereton ensured a 16 point win in the Wessex League. England international Mel

  • Wythall Royal British Legion

    THE women's section held their October meeting, which was the AGM. It started with the Exhortation. During the one-minute's silence, members who had died or who were ill were remembered. This was followed with apologies and reports. Members were asked

  • Reg home alone after cruel hip op snag

    A SALFORD Priors man has had to turn down the chance to take part in the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday because he was due to go into hospital for major surgery. But to make matters worse, the hip operation 74-year-old Reg

  • NY walker keen to boost charity

    AN Alcester woman will be walking the streets of New York this weekend to raise money for charity. Sally Coombs, 44, of Newport Drive, is taking part in the half marathon Walk New York challenge organised by The Children's Society and has already raised

  • Access boost at library

    ALCESTER library is going to be fitted with new, automatic doors to make it easier for customers to get in and out. Work begins on Monday and is due to be finished by December 3. The library will not be closed but an alternative entrance at the rear of

  • QinetiQ's call to combat terrorism

    SECURITY specialist QinetiQ has called for a coalition of firms in the two counties to combat the threat of terrorism. The company, based in Malvern, has called on businesses to work more closely with each other and with the Government over security.

  • Balaclava and boots ... a night on board

    STEVE Jones joined HMS Matabele in January 1941 and served as leading torpedo operator in charge of depth charges. On January 10, 1942 he left for a torpedo course at HMS Defiance, at Devonport, as Matabele set sail to join convoy PQ48. Seven days later

  • Baby blues? Then try this boutique

    A WOMAN who suffered with depression after giving birth to her baby daughter has gone out of her way to try to stop other new mums feeling the same way - by opening a baby shop with a difference. The Bibi Boutique, in The Southend, Ledbury, takes shopping

  • Cadets need new helpers

    CADETS at 480 (Studley) Squadron are in need of more staff to help train them. The squadron is looking for adults aged between 21 and 40 to give a minimum of two hours-a-week and the odd weekend. The cadets range in age from 13-20 and enjoy a wide range

  • Firm races in to help Craig

    A REDDITCH firm sped into action after reading the story of a teenager who had two remote-controlled cars taken from him on the day he bought them. Craig Hay, 16, was walking with a friend along a footpath near Kingsley College, Woodrow, in October when

  • Burner inquiry

    A THREE-day public inquiry into a controversial proposal to extend a chimney for an animal carcass incinerator is still going ahead from next Wednesday. The hearing will be at Redditch Town Hall - despite the fact other plans for the site in Astwood Bank

  • Helping a child at Christmas

    NEW College students have been busy fundraising and collecting items to donate to a national charity campaign. The students have been taking part in the Operation Christmas Child project. The idea behind the scheme is to send gift-filled shoe boxes to

  • Brewing up arts bonanza for town

    ORGANISERS of Redditch's Community Arts Festival Event (CAF) are forging ahead with their plans for 2005 - despite initial concerns it would clash with a festival being organised by Redditch Council. At the last meeting of the CAF committee, it was revealed

  • Dublin delight for Andrew

    AN Alcester businessman ran the Dublin marathon for charity recently shortly after recovering from a serious illness. Andrew Warbrick was taken to hospital suffering from acute pancreatitis in July which resulted in him being off work for five weeks and

  • Skaters' effort wheely good

    MEMBERS of Alcester Youth Project have handed over £250 to the town council towards repairs to the vandal-hit skate park on Hopkins Fields. The youngsters raised £130 with a sponsored skate at the Greig sports hall in the summer and the rest was given

  • Vandals damage car in new attack on garage

    AN Alcester garage which has already been the target of a spate of crime was targeted again last week when a three-foot long scratch was scoured along a car's bodywork. Earlier in the year, Randles Suzuki, Priory Road, reported several incidents, including

  • Rovers stun Halesowen

    ROVERS' biggest crowd of the season was treated to a spirited clash as the home side caused a shock in the FA Trophy. Joe Jackson's men produced a gritty performance to dump their high-flying neighbours from the Southern League Premier Division out of

  • Droitwich stunned by Bedworth blitz

    DROITWICH'S relegation fears grew larger after a moral sapping loss to their fellow basement battlers on Saturday. Winless Spa remain rooted at the bottom of the table after they lost to the side above them. Droitwich went into the game welcoming back

  • Rare species is at threat

    ONE of Britain's rarest newts is threatened because of litter and vandalism at a nature reserve in the heart of Warndon Villages. The Great Crested Newt is protected by international law but its livelihood is under threat because people are using the

  • Just how old are those timber frames?

    TIMBER-framed homes in Wychbold are to be scientifically dated as part of an historical project in the village. The Dodderhill Parish Survey Project wants to accurately date buildings using dendrochronology, which involves a small bore of wood being taken

  • Aiming to soothe the soul

    SOUL groovers, mover and shakers should get down to the Bromsgrove Rovers football ground on Saturday, November 13. A night of Motown, Northern Soul and Rn'B will keep music lovers happy while DJs Alan Gray and John Russell spin the tunes with guest top

  • Trainer pays tribute to footballing legend

    TRIBUTES have been paid to football legend Emlyn Hughes by Abberley racehorse trainer Alan Juckes. The former England and Liverpool captain died at his home in Sheffield yesterday, aged 57, after a 15-month battle with brain cancer. The winner of 62 England

  • It'll be the reel thing

    A SUPERB act will be appearing at Bromsgrove Folk Club tomorrow night. Luke Daniels and Jonathan Preiss will team up for a night of traditional reels and jigs at the Bromsgrove Rugby Club on Finstall Road. Luke is one of the select band of musicians who

  • Question session

    DROITWICH residents are being urged to don their thinking caps and take part in a charity quiz. The quiz is being held at The Castle Hotel, Worcester Road, on Thursday, November 11, from 8.30pm. Entry is £2 per person and the winning team will take away

  • Extensions at nursing home

    EXTENSIONS and alterations to the Lawns Nursing Home at Kempsey could provide 17 more bedrooms. But a plan to build 14 two-bedroom two-storey apartments in the grounds has raised strong opposition from Kempsey Parish Council. Members did not object to

  • Drive to recruit transport extras

    CHARITABLE folk are being called on to help community transport schemes serving the Malvern Hills district as the busy Christmas season approaches. Volunteer drivers are needed for Upton Community Care, Malvern Dial-A-Ride, Community Action in Malvern

  • College open day

    PROSPECTIVE students can take advantage of an open day at Worcester College of Technology next week. The Deansway college is open between 4pm and 8pm on Tuesday, November 16, and potential learners can find out about the wide range of courses on offer

  • Bowled over by offer of council funds

    BIDFORD parish councillors have agreed to lend the village bowls club £20,000 to save them having to pay a hefty VAT bill. The club is undergoing refurbishment with a £90,000 grant from Stratford District Council, and has already received £70,000. The

  • Warning over bogus callers

    POLICE are again warning people to be vigilant after a woman in Hollywood became suspicious about a man calling at her home. The man called at the house in the Douglas Road area at 2pm last Thursday, claiming he was from npower and asked to read her meter

  • Tortoise taken?

    THE owners of a 30-year-old tortoise believe he was stolen after a birthday party. Sam, who went missing from a home in Charlecote Close, Ipsley, on Saturday, October 23, is a spur-thighed tortoise with long back claws and a scar on the top of his neck

  • Sue is on a mission

    A REDDITCH fundraiser, who has worked for a childcare charity for more than nine years, is now working for Cancer Research UK to help raise vital funds for the community. Sue Medcalf, 49, joined Cancer Research UK 10 weeks ago and will be working with

  • Brett Fitz bill

    Alvechurch 4 Ludlow 0 A BRETT Fitzpatrick brace ensured the Churchmen took all three points against lowly Ludlow Town. Fitzpatrick opened the scoring after eight minutes before Andy Sutton doubled the Lye Meadow team's advantage on 20 minutes. Fitzpatrick

  • Woman missing

    POLICE are investigating the disappearance of a 49-year-old Redditch woman who was last seen at her home address at about 8.30am on Thursday. Officers from Devon & Cornwall Constabulary have contacted officers in Redditch after the body of a woman

  • Arson probe

    ARSON is believed to be the cause of a fire that ripped through a barn full of hay in Hopwood. Redditch firefighters spent 24 hours tackling the blaze with a pumping appliance at Dingle House Farm, Birmingham Road. The fire started in the early hours

  • Jones double lifts Bees

    Malvern Town 1 Studley 3 TWO second-half goals from Kevin Jones ensured a vital away victory for Studley which has lifted them into mid-table security. The Bees were being held at a goal a piece before Jones and Studley captain Mark Neath netted twice

  • May mauls Merthyr

    Redditch United 2 Merthyr Tydfil 1 Redditch United captain Mark Taylor returned to action in a Reds shirt as they the Valleymen took on Merthyr Tydfil in the first round of the FA Trophy. Month-long loan signing Rory May opened the scoring for Redditch

  • Murder, mayhem, madness... and music!

    WORLD-WIDE hit Jekyll and Hyde - The Musical makes its UK premiere at Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre on Tuesday for a short run before embarking on a pre-West End tour. Starring Paul Nicholas in the lead role, the musical is based on Robert Louis Stevenson's

  • Deadline for top secret Lido plan

    D-DAY is looming for Droit-wich's Lido as members of campaign group SALT prepare to make their final bid to save the historic pool from demolition. SALT - Save a Lido Today - will present its business plan to members of Wychavon District Council's executive

  • Councillor is quizzed

    DROITWICH councillor Peter Pinfield has been facing a grilling by students. Two Worcestershire County Council officers, studying for a HNC in Local Government, fired a range of questions on local government issues at the county councillor. As part of

  • Chancellor faces hunt supporters

    MEMBERS of the Worcestershire Hunt made up a crowd of 100 hunt supporters from the Countryside Alliance who gathered for a peaceful protest in front of Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown yesterday. As Mr Brown arrived in Birmingham, where he was

  • Plans in pipeline for former cinema

    THE latest plan to re-develop Worcester's Northwick Cinema into a housing development has been submitted to the city council. The applicant, Bomer Developments, wants to change the use of the Grade II Listed building to Class A1 retail, build 16 one and

  • Doubles sink ladies

    Droitwich ladies were too strong for derby rivals Bromsgrove 2nds as they ran out 4-1 winners. Braces for Sue Williams and Hannah Weston ensured the points in the Worcestershire League. Spa take on Stourport at home on Saturday (3pm start).

  • Goal glut

    Redditch Ladies 3 Worcester Ladies 4 HIGH-flying Worcester was pushed all the way by Redditch ladies in a seven-goal thriller at Bromsgrove Road. Redditch were made to pay for missed chances in the first ten minutes as Olivia Nicholson, Claire Steadman

  • Curtis cops M&B Cup

    ANGLING: ASTWOOD Bank's Dark Lane Angling Club fished their M&B Cup on club waters along the Arrow on Saturday. Dave Curtis used all his skill to take the honours with a 15lb 14oz mixed bag. Curtis was followed by Barry Feldhahn with 8lb 15oz and

  • Grand effort by City for injury-hit player

    WORCESTER City chairman Dave Boddy praised supporters for their contribution towards the collection organised for injury-victim Aaron Kerr -- which was today totted up at £1,350. Just over £505 of the collection was handed over by fans for 'keeper Kerr

  • Harriers in goalkeeper hunt

    SHAUN Cunnington was today pursuing options to bring in a new goalkeeper for Kidderminster Harriers' FA Cup first round test at Port Vale on Friday. With loan signing Ben Foster recalled by Vale's arch rivals Stoke due to an injury crisis, Cunnington

  • Waldron will step out for England

    FLEET-footed Sarah Waldron has clinched a place in the England Under 20 women's cross-country team. The Worcester Sixth Form College student will race in the Margate International on Sunday against teams from Scotland, Ireland, Wales and Belgium. Waldron

  • World records crash as Paralympian storms home

    PARALYMPIC bronze medal winner Claire Cashmore enjoyed her must successful national competition yet in Sheffield. The swimming sensation was awarded the top female swimmer prize across all groups for her achievements at the Disability Sport England National

  • Stella finishes on a high note

    MALVERN'S Stella Bayliss enjoyed a good end to her 2004 British eventing season in Somerset. Bayliss finished fourth in one of three two-day event sections on offer at Aldon, riding Turbo Bill. The 17hh horse was bred by Castlemorton's Rob Bun who traces

  • Online protests the way ahead

    PROTESTING online has never been easier, according to the chairman of an action group fighting proposals for a Hopwood rendering plant. Chairman of action group HARM (Hopwood Against Rendering Movement) Jeremy Roberts said a new facility on their website

  • Boddington's cream of Cross

    Headless Cross Ladies 3 Stratford Town Ladies 2 HEADLESS Cross Ladies made it five wins out of six after coming from a goal behind to take the spoils at Abbey Stadium. Stratford Ladies pressurised Cross in the opening exchanges and took the lead after

  • FORCE IS WITH MAY

    NEW signing Rory May had a dream start in a Redditch shirt as his two goals helped United into round two of the FA Trophy. The 6ft 5ins striker who has also played at Lincoln City and made one appearance while on loan at Coventry, netted before and after

  • Raybould seals victory

    BROMSGROVE Colts made it seven games unbeaten with a last gasp try sealing a 22-17 win over Wolverhampton. The Boars had to produce their most determined performance yet in a game which could have gone either way. James Upton opened the scoring with a

  • Motorists asked to show more care when parking

    I HAVE recently started to use a scooter to get around as I am now 83 and cannot walk far due to an asthmatic condition. I wish to appeal to car owners who find it necessary to park partly on the pavement. I was travelling to Witton post office, Droitwich

  • Tribute

    IT was with a great deal of regret, and loss to our community, when I heard the very understandable decision of Cllr Dr Elizabth Lammie to 'call it a day' by resigning from Bromsgrove District Council. Clarity of thought, good judgement, and above all

  • Health care

    I READ S Neary's letter with anger regarding the closure of Fusion in St Andrew's Street, Droitwich. She gives the impression it is a shame that the drug users of our town have to be humiliated in attending the doctor's practice like everyone else for

  • It's a myth

    TYPICALLY of pro-hunt supporters, B. Lammas appears short on facts but long on misinformation in his/her recent letter. The claim that 'the fox is officially classified by DEFRA as vermin' and 'hounds do an efficient job of pest control' is laughable.

  • Behaviour

    I JUST have to say a big 'thank you' to the despicable being who encouraged/allowed his dog to urinate on my son's bike whilst he was playing with his friends and then called over to him 'you'll need to clean your bike son!'. This was in the Parklands

  • Lost time

    WHEN I pay my fee into the car park machine in Bromsgrove I have a contract to purchase a set time for a set fee. Any unexpired time given to a person as a gift does not raise additional revenue except by selling the unexpired time again. The recipient

  • Better spent

    I FELT 'driven' to reply and agree with Steve Cashmore's comments last week that £10,000 could be much better spent throughout Bromsgrove on endless projects. I can think of a project for them if they are stuck for ideas - the toilets situated next to

  • Not me!

    RARELY would I rise to the bait thrown in my direction but I really couldn't ignore Jim Brant's letter in last week's edition. Jim attributes last year's music festival in Droitwich to me. No, Jim, I did the carnival the year before which though very

  • Bowed Villa just no match for Littleton

    Fairfield Villa 2 Littleton 5 FAIRFIELD allowed a slender lead to slip through their fingers after a first half Littletons goal blitz on Saturday. Villa's hopes of scoring a confidence boosting victory were enhanced when Kelvin Daley scored early on.

  • Alcester's high Jilks!

    Yardley and District 0 Alcester 12 Alcester regained some much-needed confidence after recording a friendly win over Yardley and District - a team in the league above. Brett Allard's men, who hadn't had a success on their travels since January last season

  • Kings' tests fail

    Aldridge 13 Kings Norton 7 KINGS Norton skipper Mark Waudby got the chance to chop and change his side as the Kingsmen visited unbeaten North Midlands North Division One team Aldridge. In an experimental side, Waudby blooded five new players but the Kings

  • Motorists asked to show more care when parking

    I HAVE recently started to use a scooter to get around as I am now 83 and cannot walk far due to an asthmatic condition. I wish to appeal to car owners who find it necessary to park partly on the pavement. I was travelling to Witton post office, Droitwich

  • Tribute

    IT was with a great deal of regret, and loss to our community, when I heard the very understandable decision of Cllr Dr Elizabth Lammie to 'call it a day' by resigning from Bromsgrove District Council. Clarity of thought, good judgement, and above all

  • Swim-skate

    SHAL I abandon in poetic prose, what I hold dear and still propose; To have the brine pool up and running, all painted bright and looking stunning. Next summer could be hotter still, don't let our youngsters lose the thrill; Of sunny days whilst keeping

  • No bridge

    REGARDING the plans for the Mill Lane Development in Bromsgrove the suggestion to close the pedestrian crossing from 'ASDA' car park, (Bob Stather's letter of last week), is only practical for agile pedestrians, and even they have a reluctance to use

  • More profit

    I READ with interest the article 'Get tough with the parking rebels' and the comments made by John Moody about Bromsgrove's new parking system "making it fairer for everyone by ensuring that those who abide by the rules do not end up subsidising those

  • Better spent

    I FELT 'driven' to reply and agree with Steve Cashmore's comments last week that £10,000 could be much better spent throughout Bromsgrove on endless projects. I can think of a project for them if they are stuck for ideas - the toilets situated next to

  • 10/11/04 - Harriers in goalkeeper hunt

    SHAUN Cunnington was today pursuing options to bring in a new goalkeeper for Kidderminster Harriers' FA Cup first round test at Port Vale on Friday. With loan signing Ben Foster recalled by Vale's arch rivals Stoke due to an injury crisis, Cunnington

  • Jobs go as firm folds

    ABOUT 40 Redditch workers have been sacked and more than 100 customers could lose money following the sudden closure of a national windows and doors firm. Coldseal, which had a depot in Moons Moat, has gone into liquidation and scores of Redditch customers

  • Piano trio in concert debut

    CLASSICAL music lovers can look forward to the second in the series of Bromsgrove Concerts on Friday, November 12. The Kungsbacka Piano Trio will make their Bromsgrove debut, starting with the Andante, which is all that was completed of a planned piano

  • Creating a host of colour

    THE beautiful colours and techniques of creating batiks will be shown at a meeting of Bromsgrove Art Club on Tuesday, November 16. Art teacher Francis Rogers will demonstrate the skill and passion, which goes into making such wonderful textile images

  • Nature's beauty

    THE majority of people in this country have not seen real natural beauty. Down by the canal or by the river a massive amount of nature exists. You can see kingfishers, herons, woodpeckers and other beautiful wildlife. So I urge people to go out and watch

  • What's on

    Wednesday November 10 FILM: Hero, mac, Cannon Hill Park, Edgbaston, Birmingham, 6pm. EXHIBITION: Elizabeth Casson, Bromsgrove Library. Thursday November 11 FILM: Hero, mac, Cannon Hill Park, Edgbaston, Birmingham, 8.30pm EXHIBITION: Elizabeth Casson,

  • Funding formulae

    IN a recent letter received from the DFES regarding school funding, it was quoted that "the formula for funding takes account of authorities' relative need" and also the priority is "to ensure stability and certainty in school funding". Using data from

  • Sidemoor WI

    The president welcomed the members to the meeting where the county newsletter was read and discussed. After get well wishes to one of our members and the news of the death of another, the mood lightened with birthday greetings being given to the November

  • 10/11/04 - Strongest squad at Lane for five years

    MANY will be aware that Saturday's Nationwide North game at Droylsden is five years to the day that I took charge of my first match at Worcester City. I don't know whether it feels like I've been here for 50 minutes or 50 years -- it has felt like both

  • Let there be light

    YOUNGSTERS from a Rednal nursery celebrated an Indian festival and learnt about different traditions and cultures at the same time. Children from the Jelly Babies Nursery, which meets at the Longbridge Methodist Church in Bristol Road South, learnt about

  • Children - you are what you eat

    CHILDREN enjoyed top tips on nutrition when they saw a comedy musical performed at their school. Tots from Blackwell First School, on St Catherine's Road, were treated to the show by members of the Quantum Theatre for Science group. The performance tied

  • 'Tis the season

    REGULARS from the Hop Pole in Bromsgrove already knew it - now it's official - the pub serves up a good pint and maintains a consistently high standard. Redditch and Bromsgrove CAMRA has awarded the Birmingham Road inn with its pub of the season award

  • Oh no - here comes trouble!

    YOUNGSTERS at a town school were allowed to clown around when a circus group came to visit. Pupils at Meadows First School, in Stourbridge Road, got the chance to dress up as clowns when they were visited by Shooting Stars Circus Skills last week. The

  • Bacon buttie time

    GUESTS to Bromsgrove Methodist Centre are in for a sizzling time at a bacon buttie bonanza. The sarnies will be sold at the Stratford Road venue this Saturday to raise funds for firefighter Simon Hawkins. Simon lost a leg in a motorbike accident earlier

  • Switch on for festive fun

    SANTA Claus and his helpers are coming to the Bromsgrove district to bring plenty of Yuletide cheer and festive fun. Father Christmas and his elves will be joining district council chairman Ted Tibby for the official Christmas lights switch on. The festive

  • Nanny loses claim

    A BROMSGROVE woman who complained she was unfairly sacked as a nanny to the three children of a paediatrician and her husband has lost her fight for compensation for sex discrimination and unfair dismissal. Miss Helena Pullen, of Perryfields Road, looked

  • Liz storms the nursery

    OH baby! Bromsgrove entrepreneur Elizabeth Clifford is causing big business to throw their dummies out of the corporate pram after an amazing first year's trading. This time last year, ambitious Elizabeth, whose maiden name is Walker, was sketching out

  • Rare botany book could go for thousands

    A BOOK written 150 years ago by a Bromsgrove botanist, book-seller and bank director is expected to fetch £9,000 when it is sold at Sotherby's in London. "The Botanic Garden" in 16 volumes is the work of Benjamin Maund (1790-1864) who had shops in Market

  • That Peter Kay thing (15)

    THIS award-winning series simply gets better with time. Even if people already watched That Peter Kay Thing when first shown on TV, a second viewing will merely reaffirm that Mr Kay is an amazingly talented man. The series gives us a chance to meet 15

  • Help solve missing Spa lights mystery

    A SUPER sleuth is needed to help solve the mystery of Droitwich Spa's missing Christmas lights. The brand new set of lights, which adorned the tree in Victoria Square last festive season, has gone awry. Now, members of the Droitwich Association for Retail

  • It's time to remember

    BROMSGROVE is set to remember the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country. Silences and parades will take place across the area as townsfolk pay tribute on Remembrance Day and Remembrance Sunday. The ceremonies will start

  • Backing for recovery plan

    COUNCILLORS have voted to give their backing to a plan designed to get Bromsgrove's failing district authority back on track. Bromsgrove District Council has been in voluntary engagement, where special advisors help run it, since June. Part of that process

  • Kicking up a stink over old system

    DROITWICH Spa High Street needs its smelly Victorian sewage system brought into the 21st century, a town councillor has claimed. Terry Spencer, a representative for Droitwich town and Wychavon district councils, is kicking up a stink about the old-fashioned

  • Mix-up sparks row

    AN ISRAELI man has accused a Bromsgrove travel agent of anti-Semitism after they refused to authorise a money transfer. Leonid Merzon, who has dual Russian and Israeli nationality, was in Bromsgrove visiting his son, a student at Bromsgrove School, when

  • Calls for council leader to resign

    THE leader of Bromsgrove Council is fighting for his political life after the Government's ethical standards watchdog found he improperly sought to influence a decision on the future of the Victoria Ground. The ethical standards officer says that Councillor

  • Brianna's a young fundraiser

    CHRISTMAS arrived early for one enthusiastic young fundraiser. Droitwich Spa girl Brianna Tutin collected £1,000 worth of toys and other goodies from Webbs of Wychbold last Wednesday. Eleven-year-old Brianna is one of the first children to join the new

  • Recycling scheme gets better

    BROMSGROVE'S ambitious new £2m plus refuse and recycling scheme, launched in March and barely out of the news since, is improving. That's the view of the district council as it reaches the halfway stage of the operation, which has now seen four of the

  • 50 years ago

    November 12, 1954 A FIRE which, it is believed was caused by a firework, broke out in the back of a saloon car in a garage of The Bungalow, The Slough, Crabbs Cross, on Sunday afternoon. The owner went to Studley in the car during the morning and alleged

  • 100 years ago

    November 10, 1904 FREDERICK Crook, of Clarke's Yard, and Albert Cash, of Edward Street, Redditch, were charged with throwing stones in Bromsgrove Road, to the annoyance of passengers. Pc Milne stated he was in company with Pc Eyes when his attention was

  • Fly poster warning

    TRADERS and residents are being warned against sticking fly posters around Droitwich Spa. Town councillor Kate Spencer (Con-East) is pleading with people not to use fly posters as a method of advertising as it is hazardous to drivers. She has just completed

  • Jan's royal appointment

    A WYCHBOLD woman has been given the royal seal of approval for more than 30 years' work with injured swans. Janet Harrigan, of Wychbold Swan Rescue Centre, was awarded the MBE for services to river birds at a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace on October

  • Shrek 2 (U)

    HOT on the heels of success of the original comes this and it is every bit as good as the first, if not better. Regulars Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz and Eddie Murphy are joined by guest vocalists Antonio Banderas, Julia Andrews, John Cleese and a wonderful

  • Fantastic fireworks

    THOUSANDS of residents gathered at Arrow Valley Countryside Centre last Wednesday and were treated to a stunning display of fireworks. And for anyone who wanted even more thrills, there was also an array of fairground rides to enjoy at the hugely popular

  • Tributes to the fallen

    THERE will be many services in and around Redditch to mark Remembrance Day this year and organisers are hoping for a good turnout from the public. Tomorrow, on Armistice Day itself, Royal British Legion members will gather with their standards and colours

  • Funding is available

    I FEEL I must respond to the front-page article "CAB on verge of collapse," (Advertiser, November 3). Redditch Community Commonwealth exists to support voluntary and community sector groups in the town, particularly those who want to access additional

  • Taxis may not be an option

    True E Baylis, not all disabled drive their cars allocated by Motability (but paid for by their own DLA) they are unable to drive for one reason another, they are blind etc. So they nominate a driver to do it for them. The badge and photograph is issued

  • Casualties of war

    AS Redditch prepares to remember, we recall just a few of the gallant soldiers who laid down their lives in the First World War. Signaller Philip B Jarvis (left), of 289 Battery RGA, was killed in action in France on October 27, 1917. He lived in Archer

  • Women's jail protest

    CAMPAIGNERS calling for reform in how the Prison Service and courts deal with young, female prisoners held a protest outside Brockhill Prison on Friday. And the campaigners managed to stop a prison van carrying prisoners from entering the confines before

  • Day was wrong

    Is Jim Henson the leader of Redditch Council? November 5 fell on a Friday this year. Who on earth dreamed up the change of date for the Bonfire Spectacular? One wonders if the council is trying to cancel this annual event by placing it on days when the

  • Letter from Westminster

    Last week in Parliament MP's voted on the Children's Bill. New laws were debated that would provide for better co-operation between social services, schools and health services so all children get a better deal and so tragic children like Victoria Climbie

  • Alcester Gardening Club

    AT the October meeting, members were told the trip to Ryton had been a real eye-opener. Everyone who went agreed they had learned a lot from the excellent guided tour and the time had been too short for all that was to be seen. A Christmas shopping trip

  • Building bother

    AN ultimatum has been issued to builders after long delays in completing a major £1 million extension at Studley Infants School. If Warwickshire County Council and the construction company, Meades of Evesham, fail to resolve the situation this week, the

  • Alvechurch WI

    THE October meeting started on a high note as four new members were welcomed and hopefully there will be another three next month at the AGM. Pam Horsfield and Chris Gray both had coffee mornings and raised £272 for Alan Peace, who will be mountain climbing

  • Arrow WI

    THE October meeting celebrated the 60th anniversay of the branch. Pat Hoare made a birthday cake, decorated with sugar flowers. Members enjoyed a tea party. Mrs Hoare helped members in making sugar cake decorations. Members were reminded of the group

  • Friends of Coughton Court

    IN October, the Friends were visited by Robert Rookwood, a soldier from Cromwell's army during the English Civil War. In real life, Robert is David Lord, a member of the Sealed Knot, a society that enacts scenes from the Civil War all over the country

  • Hot prospect set to burn rubber in Spain

    A HOT Droitwich motorcycle prospect has underlined his ability by winning a national champion-ship. Thirteen-year-old Chris Jones wrapped up the Motor Racing Organistation Powerbike Tour 125cc title with a round ten victory at Brands Hatch -- breaking

  • Primrose Choir

    THE choir's most recent performance has been at the Primrose Proms Concert, sponsored by the Primrose Hospice and Cancer Help Centre. The annual concert featuring the Primrose Choir and the West Midland Light Orchestra took place as usual in the Spadesbourne

  • The Bordesley Society

    THE Bordesley Society was founded in 1951 with the aim of preserving and excavating the Bordesley Abbey meadows. The secretary was therefore a little nervous when she invited Tom Paget to speak on English Monasteries on October 21, wondering if he would

  • Coughton too much for Droitwich

    COUGHTON got the better of Droitwich A 7-3 in the latest rounds of the Redditch and Bromsgrove Table Tennis Association Division One. Gary Jackson and Terry Rawlings won three matches each, while Bob Watts grabbed the other for Coughton. Gordon Nicklin

  • Wythall History Sopciety

    BRIAN Draper, a retired river engineer from Martley in the west of the county, entertained with an amusing and informative lecture and slide show entitled The River Severn (Part One) Source to Bridgnorth on October 29. The Severn is, at 220 miles, Britain's

  • Blaze set the pace

    BROMSGROVE Basketball Club's Blaze A team thrashed Pacers A 103-20 over the weekend. After a close first quarter, where Blaze only lead by seven points, they stepped up a gear in the second period. A haul of 26 points, compared to the Pacer's five, set

  • No-show sparks a squabble

    ALCESTER Town Council has been criticised for failing to follow up its views on planning applications. The council strongly objected in writing to an application to convert a town centre residential property into offices. But when the matter came before

  • Ready to remember

    ALCESTER is preparing to commemorate the fallen servicemen of past conflicts with a number of events in the town over the next few days. Tomorrow, members of the Royal British Legion will hold an informal parade from HSBC Bank in High Street to the war

  • Club's delight at fireworks profit

    ALCESTER Rugby Club's bonfire and firework display has made a profit for the first time in five years, despite an attack by vandals. The day before the event one of two new advertising boards was torn off its post damaging the club sign underneath and

  • 25 years ago November 9, 1979

    BROMSGROVE would know before Christmas whether its bid to form a twinning link with Gronau in West Germany would be successful. A delegation from Gronau had just completed a whistlestop tour of Bromsgrove to judge its suitability. Bromsgrove had already

  • Bid to stop kids trapping fingers

    A NEW invention by a Malvern firm could save thousands of children from the agony of trapped fingers. Finger Savers Ltd, based in Upper Welland Road, has devised a door guard to save youngsters from unnecessary pain. "Everyone knows a child who has trapped

  • 50 years ago November 13, 1954

    DURING Droitwich's Remembrance Day service, Alderman Mrs J Adenbrooke unveiled a plate on the war memorial bearing the names of those who died during the two world wars. For an hour before the service began a guard of honour was mounted by two veterans

  • Planting initiative

    A WORCESTER business is hoping its new environmental scheme takes root as it embarks on a national tree planting initiative. Cartridge World, based in Barbourne Road, is aiming to plant 6,000 trees. The average person in the UK uses the equivalent of

  • Unholy fury at proposal

    A REDDITCH county councillor and devout Christian has hit out at a proposal to scrap prayers at the beginning of county council meetings. Four options are on the cards, including stopping prayers altogether, having different faiths and denominations leading

  • Jim remembers brothers in arms

    SUNDAY will be an emotional day for Jim Adams, as Remembrance Day always is. As he marches along High Street to the sound of the Alcester Victoria Silver Band, he will already be honouring the many men and women who have died in war, among them his own

  • 100 years ago November 12, 1904

    SIDNEY Giles, from Little Lane, Bromsgrove, would have ample time to reflect on his misdemeanours when he was sentenced to a month's jail at Worcester for twice having been found guilty of using foul language in his own home, but within earshot of the

  • Gay issues explored at church's conference

    A CONFERENCE focusing on homosexuality and the Anglican church will be held on Saturday in Ipsley. Homosexuality: Unchanging Anglican Teaching will be held at St Peter's Church Centre, Church Lane, from 10am-4pm. Speakers will be the Rev Dr Andrew Goddard

  • It's time to have your eyes tested...

    A CAR hire company in Worcester is urging drivers in the city to have their eyesight tested as part of Road Safety Week this week. According to research conducted by the Eyecare Information Service, the eyesight of one in 10 drivers doesn't meet the legal

  • Folk give cash

    GENEROUS townsfolk have already donated more than £6,500 to the Primrose Hospice Tree of Light Appeal, just two weeks since it was launched - £2,000 more than the total raised throughout the appeal in 2000. The tree will be situated at the back entrance

  • Shout about successes

    "RESERVED" Alvechurch folk have so far put forward only three nominees for the Young Achievers Award. Parish Councillor Pete Smith said he was disappointed but far from shocked at the apparent lack of interest in the award. "This is a typical case of

  • We should all take some responsibility

    YOUR reporting of my views on the Greig Centre (Chronicle, October 27) is accurate but I begin to worry I may appear too critical of the trustees. I believe they have done their best, although it has been far from adequate, and they should be released