THE patter of hiking boots will be evident in Malvern this spring as the town holds a walking festival in a bid to attract scores of visitors. The Malvern Walking Festival was held as a trial in October last year and proved such a success, it is running
DEDICATED fund-raisers at a Malvern pub are hoping budding stars will come along to sing their hearts out at a charity karaoke evening. Malvern's Morgan Pub landlords Ben and Jo Healey have organised the event - at 8pm on Easter Saturday, March 26 - to
ONE of the top tribute acts in the country is coming to Bromsgrove. Popular Led Zeppelin covers band, Fred Zeppelin, will play the Lickey End Club, Alcester Road, this Friday. Towards the end of last year the band was among the top ten live bands to see
ONE of the UK's leading guitar players is set to wow fans at Birmingham's Symphony Hall. Gordon Giltrap will play the venue next Wednesday. The concert will see Giltrap perform compositions past, present and future. Rick Wakeman has confirmed he will
CANCER patients in Worcestershire are benefiting from the appointment of a Macmillan gynaecology specialist nurse based at Worcestershire Royal Hospital. Vanessa Robinson's role has been funded thanks, in part, to Worcester based energy giant npower who
MOTORISTS may experience delays in Upton-upon-Severn during the next few weeks as the new viaduct nears completion. Traffic has been flowing smoothly between Upton Bridge and the A38 during the demolition and rebuilding work, which started last August
HELP is at hand for homeowners who have trouble with household tasks such as setting the timer on a boiler and bleeding a radiator, as an advice session comes to Worcester. According to new research by Baxi Potterton, the UK's leading boiler manufacturer
MALVERN Hills chiefs are celebrating after being declared the highest performing council in the country when it comes to dealing with benefits applications. Local authority performance figures for 2003/04 show Malvern Hills District Council is the highest
FIFTY extra volunteer drivers are needed in Pershore to keep a social car scheme fully operational. Pershore Volunteer Service has provided an invaluable service to people with mobility problems for the last 20 years by providing drivers to take them
Saturday, March 19, 2005 Bromsgrove Rovers 6 Taunton Town 3 Southern League Division One West BROMSGROVE Rovers answered manager Jimmy Mullen's demands for more goals from his side with a ruthless second half display at the Victoria Ground on Saturday
TWO overhead projectors were stolen from Birchensale Middle School on Friday. The break-in took place at the Bridley Moor Road school at about 6.21pm. Two youths were seen running away shortly after the alarm was raised. Anyone with information can call
A POTENTIALLY dangerous motorbike, which is unsafe for normal use, was stolen from a house off Walkwood Road in Crabbs Cross. Police have issued a warning after the theft of the black and orange 249cc Fanatic bike on Friday between 9am-3.30pm. It is a
ROLL UP! Roll up! Ladies and gentlemen, witness two of the universe's most terrifying alien menaces slugging it out for the title of the galaxy's kings of death and destruction. Camouflaged in the red corner are the humungous, dread-locked hunters, the
WOLVES boss Glenn Hoddle is rumoured to be on his way to Redditch for tonight's Birmingham Senior Cup tie at Valley Stadium. The former England manager who has a free midweek and no weekend fixture with his Coca Cola Championship team could be on his
CAGE fighter Chris Rice has been in inspired form this month with two wins in as many weeks. The 27 year old was in Weston-super-Mare on Sunday as part of the Clash of the Clans line-up which pitted the best of English fighters against the cream of Irish
NICK Colley grabbed the winner last night as Worcester City defeated Moor Green 2-1 to jump into eighth in Nationwide North. Andy Preece's side survived a woeful first-half at Damson Park to complete a league double over the Moors, thereby landing their
REDDITCH archer Jonathan Mynott (pictured left) added the national indoor title to his outdoor champion status at Lilleshall Sports Centre in an all Redditch final on Saturday. Mynott was in good company as three other competitors from the Redditch Company
CALLOW Hill youngster Naomi Rogers will be jetting off to The Hague in Holland to take part in a European club competition over Easter. The 11-year-old, who plays for Solihull Junior Ice Hockey Club, will be in Holland from Good Friday until Easter Monday
THE opening of a state-of-the-art clinic for obese patients near Redditch has been put on hold until 2006 following an unprecedented number of inquiries from the public. Interest in the National Hospital for Obesity Surgery in Dolan Park, Tardebigge,
REDDITCH men completed their league schedule with a 7-2 defeat at home to Market Drayton. Redditch secured fourth position in the West Midlands League Division one with Walsall and Droitwich gaining the promotion places. Bournville Ladies 3 Redditch Ladies
VISITORS to the Alexandra Hospital could enjoy a warmer welcome if plans for a new, insulated entrance get the go-ahead. Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust has submitted plans to enclose the existing open canopy on all three sides and create a new
Worcester City 2 Redditch United 1 NATIONWIDE North neighbours Worcester City are fast turning into United's bogey side this season. Even after demolishing the Reds 4-0 at the Valley at the start of the season Redditch's Worcestershire neighbours have
HOME, away (Midlands One fixtures unless stated) SEPTEMBER Sat 4 BROADSTREET 29-0 Sat 11 Dunstablians 31-42 Sat 25 KETTERING 19-38 OCTOBER Sat 2 Leicester Lions 17-54 Sat 9 LUCTONIANS 17-12 Sat 23 Derby 16-9 Sat 30 LONGTON 32-15 NOVEMBER Sat 13 Scunthorpe
SCHOOL-time congestion could be a thing of the past with a "yellow bus" scheme, according to Redditch Council's Conservative group leader Carole Gandy. At a council executive committee meeting last week, Mrs Gandy said the initiative, similar to an American
A PLANNING appeal has been lodged after Stratford Council rejected an application to build flats in Bell Lane, Studley. Plans had been produced to demolish the old police house and parish council office and build a three-storey building consisting of
Feckenham 2 Southam 1 THE Millers could be on their way to Villa Park for the final of the Endsleigh Challenge Cup. After a goalless first leg at Southam it took substitute hitman Brian Powell just five minutes after coming on to get the Millers on their
COMEDIAN Russ Abbot stars in a new production of Oscar Wilde's classic comedy, Lord Arthur Savile's Crimes, at Malvern's Festival Theatre from Monday. Described as "a murderously funny comedy" the adaptation follows the fortunes of the amiable Lord Arthur
A CIRCUS with a difference arrives at Warwick Arts Centre this Easter when "irresistible new theatrical fantasy" Aurelia's Oratorio is presented from tomorrow until Easter Monday. Performed by Aurelia Thierree and Timothy Harling, the show, which recently
Thursday, March 24 West Midlands Youth Dance Platform, Swan Theatre, Worcester. Tickets from 01905 611427. Aurelia's Oratorio, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry. Until March 28. Tickets from 024 7652 4524. Astwood Bank Operatic Society: Franz Lehar's The
Redditch Swimming Club travelled to Wolverhampton for the second weekend of the WCSA 2005 championships and came away with another bagful of medals. All in all Redditch scooped 18 golds, 10 silver and 10 bronze medals. Dan Ruckwood swam to seven golds
PEOPLE have just one day left to buy tickets for the Alexandra Hospital's League of Friends' Easter raffle. Tickets are on sale at the hospital until tomorrow afternoon, when the draw will take place. There will be lots of prizes up for grabs, including
NORTH Midlands prop Matt Mullan faces a fitness test on a shoulder injury before England Under 18s finalise their side for the opening match in this season's Home Unions Festival against Scotland at Ebbw Vale on Saturday (2pm). Mullan, of Bromsgrove School
WORCESTER Rowing Club lifted the Jackson Trophy at the Head of the River Race in London for only the second time in the Clubs history. The race which is the foremost event of the winter season, is a timed event rowed on a 4 mile course on the River Thames
A PERSHORE mother-of-three is set to become the only female competitor in this season's ELF Renault Clio Cup. Amy Chambers, wife of experienced racing driver and team boss Peter Chambers, will make her debut in a deal with Mardi Gras Motorsport when the
DEFFORD/Besford United secured their Birdseye Sports Evesham Sunday League Division Two status with a convincing home win over Oddfellows Arms. Pete Croy led the way with a hat-trick while goals from A Lawson, G Lawson and Remeke completed the scoring
THERE was no history made at Delahey Meadow as Hereford Pegasus put an end to Headless Cross Ladies dream of a cup treble on the trot. Cross, who have won the Herefordshire and Worcestershire County Cup for the past two years were left ruing what could
Alcester Atheltic battered Stratford Town 4-0 in the under 10s Mid Warwickshire League Division Two. Alcester took the lead after just five minutes thanks to a neat goal from Matthew Stephens. Athletic punctured town's rearguard again on 20 minutes after
Famous for making Buckingham Palace's gates, Bromsgrove is a historically important market town but its centre needs an injection of excitement. Professional surveyor Maurice Preece, who lives in the town, gives his views on the direction Bromsgrove District
What is wrong with car drivers? We are plagued with cars parked in St Chad's Road even though it's a no parking zone during the day and why is it necessary to park on the pavement with not just two wheels but the whole car! On the day of the recycling
AT LAST! At last! A district councillor recognises the unfairness of local council finances. Councillor Roger Hollingsworth is unhappy that residents in parished areas have to pay a premium for normal services - I'll say so! But that is only part of the
WE all remember 12 months ago when Bromsgrove District Council tried to introduce recycling and fell flat on its face as the council had not done its homework. The authority finally got it going in February and here we are in the middle of March and it
HAS Bromsgrove Council gone mad? Did you know on Friday, March 11, a small lorry manned by two men was sent out by the council to deliver calendars to Bromsgrove householders. Apart from being three months out of date, who needs them? It's obvious they
SO the disabled, the aged and infirm are the new targets for Bromsgrove District Council. Most parking meters are some distance from the disabled parking bays, making it difficult for disabled people to walk to the pay units. This is especially hard in
Bromsgrove Urban District Council fixed the rate for the coming year at 23/6 (£1.18) in the pound, an increase of 10d. The finance committee recommended it should go up by 1 /4 (7p) to 24/- (£1.20). But Mr W R Harris, one of Rubery's independents, made
William Taylor, of Droitwich, was charged with cruelty to a horse by working it in an unfit state. Inspector Baker said the horse had been to Kidderminster market in a lame and poor condition and unfit to work. A vet examined it and said it had ringbone
Shottery 5 Alcester A 34 THE Alcester A team travelled to Pearcecroft for a Friday night game under the lights and the visitors' pick and mix team was too hot to handle. Alcester took the lead inside the first 10 minutes when Mick Weaver crashed over
Bromsgrove Rovers 6 Taunton Town 3 Southern League Division One West BROMSGROVE Rovers answered manager Jimmy Mullen's demands for more goals from his side with a ruthless second half display at the Victoria Ground on Saturday. Such was Rovers dominance
Meir KA 1 Barnt Green Spartak 2 SPARTAK'S fifth win in five league games boosted manager GJ Singh's hopes of sealing a lofty position in the Midland Combination Premier Division on Saturday. Victory, earned by Alex Lewis' late goal, ensured Spartak have
Knowle 3 Fairfield Villa 0 VILLA'S relegation battle in the Midland Combination Division One is set to go right until the end of the season after they were beaten by high flying Knowle on Saturday. Fairfield have nine games to stay out of the bottom two
Kings Norton A 31 Silhillian Development XV 3 KINGS Norton blooded a few youngsters in their pre-arranged pool fixture against a Silhillian's development squad who play two leagues above the Ash Lane outfit. Scrum half Dave Ellis, Ken Whitehouse and Matt
MONTHS have passed and still your letters page is inundated with letters by Droitwich folk, myself included, regarding the appalling treatment of our town by the Conservative run town and Wychavon District Council. Well it appears that those in power
MANY of you may already be aware of the following: Worcestershire County Council will be carrying out essential road repairs on the A38 Droitwich Spa bypass for three to four weeks from Monday. This will result in the closure of the road from the Copcut
THE decision by the Tories on Wychavon District Council to permanently close the Lido is both short sighted and wrong. The Lido helped put Droitwich Spa on the map and attracted visitors to the town. Wychavon District Council should be championing the
I HAVE lived in Droitwich all my life. My father, T Harrold Platt who was mayor in the 1950s, was a staunch Conservative, and he would turn in his grave at what the council has done to Droitwich. He said it would be a catastrophe if the Brine Baths and
I WAS so pleased to read in The Advertiser that Margaret Rowley was sticking up for the pensioners with regards to the reintroduction of travel tokens for all pensioners, instead of those only over 80- years-old. We live in Hampton Lovett, so we do not
WITH regard to rubbish collection in Droitwich, Wychavon states that from April 18 no garden rubbish will be collected, it wants us to compost it. What if you haven't got a garden big enough for a compost heap but you have Leylandi trees to cut twice
SOON our local councillors will be canvassing prior to the forthcoming elections. Before casting their votes, however, the electorate will need to ponder several location issues, not least, of which will be the subject of parking in Droitwich. In the
REDDITCH'S Kingfisher Centre reported booming sales figures in February and March with footfall and trading levels normally seen only at Christmas. The last three weeks saw car park figures up by 71 per cent compared to last year and the week starting
Worcester City 2 Redditch United 1 NATIONWIDE North neighbours Worcester City are fast turning into United's bogey side this season. Even after demolishing the Reds 4-0 at the Valley at the start of the season Redditch's Worcestershire neighbours have
WE'VE now got 50 points after beating Moor Green last night and there is a chance we can make the Nationwide North play-offs if we win our remaining games. That is our aim and we have given ourselves a slim hope, but we certainly won't make the play-offs
YET again, Councillor Wareing has gone off on one of his rantings. I would like to use the following quotes "Many a politician who's been appointed acts as if he's been anointed" which is very apt and "all men believe in law and order as long as they
AFTER welcoming two guests and a new member, and reading the apologies, our president went on to give us details of two fundraising events. We shall be repeating our successful nightingales fashion show on April 27 and on August 19 will be holding a garden
HERE'S some handy hints for drivers in Worcestershire that I thought I'd share. Nissan Micra drivers and old men in flat caps - on national speed limit roads try pushing your accelerator down further. That way you can stretch your legs, be rid of the
The president spoke of the death of Maidie Howl, a skilled embroideress and one of the oldest members. The president told us that a new member is on the committee of the proposed VE Day celebrations and will be able to tell us how we can take part. The
HOW legal is the EU when the people of this country have never voted for it? This country belongs to the people of this country, who elect a government to serve this country and the people in it. Note the word serve, because it is not the other way around
AT the March meeting, the president welcomed members and visitors. A very interesting demonstration of Thai cookery was given by Felicity Rukon. She began by giving all the members cold drinks of coconut milk and Thai nibbles. While preparing a dish of
GREEN fingered townsfolk are needed to go organic and help transform an allotment into a gardening haven. Jane Wheelan, from Alcester Road, Burcot, has rented a nearby pitch and wants to get together a group of interested residents who want to learn more
BRAINY Rubery teenager Sean Wilkins proved he was top of the class in a national maths contest. The fourteen-year-old Waseley Hills High School pupil scooped a gold award in the intermediate maths challenge, which is aimed at the most able mathematics
YOUNGSTERS at a Bromsgrove school took part in a global campaign to wipe out debt and ease the burden of poverty in developing countries. During a year eight communion service at St John's Middle School, in Watt Close, the children bought 150 wrist bands
A WHEELY great scheme was held at a Bromsgrove school to encourage children to protect their bikes. PC Michelle Caldicott, the beat manager for Bromsgrove south, teamed up with local community support officer Pip Davis to offer free postcoding on bikes
BROMSGROVE council taxpayers have been overcharged by almost two per cent - but they are unlikely to see a penny back. Instead Bromsgrove District Council is planning to keep hold of the £99,000 and use it as a "windfall". The authority's budget for 2005
FILMED on location in India, America and England, what Bride and Prejudice lacks in plot and substance it attempts to compensate for with huge dance routines, wonderful backdrops, colour and vibrancy. Lalita (Aishwarya Rai) is a strong-willed young woman
A man who beat up his 79-year-old mother after she woke him up in the middle of the night has been jailed for two and a half years at Worcester Crown Court. Constance Dale, left disabled by an earlier stroke, suffered face, chest and arm bruising in the
PENSIONERS have been given a boost after the town council agreed to subsidise bus passes at an emergency meeting on Monday night. The council already contributes to the cost of bus passes for the over 60s and disabled passengers so they only have to shell
A YOUNG Bromsgrove man, who was a serving soldier in Germany, was killed when he tried to overtake two vehicles in his new MG, an inquest heard last week. Ian Dinsdale, of Marlbrook, died in the accident, which happened in Germany last November 2. The
A MOTORIST had a terrifying ordeal when he was forced to take £100 out of a cash machine in Droitwich and hand it over to a robber last Saturday night. The victim, who has not been named, had just left his white Proton Compact sprint car, when the robber
A DIVER, who was caught up in the Asian tsunami tragedy, has spoken to the Advertiser/Messenger after he returned to the devastated Hikkaduwa village. Ian Aston, who owns the Millennium Dive Centre in Harwood Park, said there was still no major international
KEEN walkers are invited to take up an unusual challenge. The 31-mile dawn to dusk Worcestershire Way Challenge, on Friday, June 10, is being held in aid of St Richard's Hospice. Setting off from Bewdley, the walk, which is not for the faint-hearted,
A MEMBER of a Barnt Green Scout group is concerned it is being used as "a political pawn" after its hut burnt down in an arson attack. First Barnt Green Scout Group executive cabinet member Michael Docherty said Focus, the Liberal Democrats' newsletter
A CHRONICALLY sick Bromsgrove man, who lives alone, had to wait three hours to speak to a doctor when he called the out-of-hours GP service. Brian Phillips, from Deansway, is an insulin dependent diabetic who has to take seven other prescription tablets
TAXI firms in Bromsgrove could go on strike over the introduction of a test charge on their vehicles. From Friday, April 1, Bromsgrove District Council will charge £61.50 for Hackney Carriages and £36.50 for private hire taxis. The charges will apply
A SPA man was found dead in a garden shed after taking a fatal overdose of heroin, an inquest heard last week. Thirty-year-old Richard Bourne of Steynors Avenue, Droitwich, died in the shed of a house in Fridays Acre on the afternoon of September 30 last
A GROUP of fluffy visitors arrived at a Spa school last Wednesday, adding a bit of Easter cheer to the classrooms. The ten cute chicks hatched in an incubator in Marion Macbeth's class at St Joseph's RC Primary School, in Ombersley Way. It was part of
STAFF at Wychavon District Council will be striking over Government changes to pensions today (Wednesday) after a national ballot by public sector unions. The five unions - Amicus, T and G, Ucatt, UNISON and the GMB - are angry at changes to raise the
TIMELY tots at Chawson First School are reminding Spa folk to put their clocks forward this weekend. The clocks will 'spring forward' one hour this Saturday night, meaning Great Britain shifts from Greenwich meantime to British summertime.
TICKETS for Redditch's AIR festival will be up for grabs next month after top names confirmed they will be taking to the stage at Arrow Valley Park in the summer. Stars who will be performing include Jools Holland, Lemar, Natasha Bedingfield and Liberty
AN angry attack was launched on Redditch Council Leader David Cartwright after Conservatives claimed they knew nothing about council plans to part-fund a Bordesley bypass. Tory group leader Carole Gandy said she had only found out the council was planning
FUN-loving families are being invited to horse around at Beoley Equestrian Centre. The Icknield Street centre is welcoming family groups to enjoy its host of facilities including indoor arena, outdoor floodlit menage and 55 acres of open fields. Riders
A MAN is due to appear at Worcester Crown Court charged with nine armed robberies, including one at Redditch's Halifax branch, after a national appeal on BBC's Crimewatch UK. Steven Bailey, a 46-year-old Birmingham man, is also appearing in court tomorrow
PLANS to improve Redditch's town centre market could be put into action as council officers try to entice more trade there. The economic overview and scrutiny committee met on Monday to look at the prospect of providing a more substantial permanent canopy
BUDDING soccer stars could net professional training if ambitious plans for six new pitches at Redditch United get the thumbs up. Redditch United Football Club has applied for permission to resurface its back pitch with "rubber crumb" - an all-weather
A 15-year-old Redditch youth has been sent for trial by jury accused of sex attacks on two teenage girls. The youth - who cannot be named for legal reasons - denied raping a 16 year old and pleaded not guilty to an offence of sexual assault against a
A YOUNG dancer from Redditch performed in Youth Moves, a programme of exciting and original contemporary youth dance, at Worcester's Swan Theatre last week. Church Hill Middle School pupil Alistair Rowe, 11, is a member of Worcestershire Youth Dance Company
GENEROUS biking fans from Redditch and Bromsgrove had a cracking time when they decided to bring some chocolate cheer to youngsters at Birmingham Children's Hospital. The bikers were taking part in the annual Easter egg run to the hospital and managed
WHEN will the police and council take action to enforce the no horse riding regulations in Morton Stanley Park? Not only is it dangerous to have horses, often mounted by inexperienced riders, in a park where there are children and dogs running about,
A REDDITCH soldier who was serving in Germany died after his motorbike collided with a tree, an inquest heard. Twenty-three-year-old Stuart Rogers was off duty when he was involved in the collision on Dahlerweg Road on October 24. At an inquest last Tuesday
WHY is it that when Redditch Council gets hold of some big money - £150,000 in this case - it starts "major facelifts" by chopping down trees? This time, it is in Church Green West. When security cameras were fixed along Alcester Street, the trees there
SHADOW Health Minister Chris Rayling MP visited a Webheath nursing home last week - prompting an angry debate over the minimum wage with town MP Jacqui Smith. The Conservative front-bencher visited Stonebridge Nursing Home, Birchfield Road, but said concerns
STUDLEY'S New Century Theatre Company is springing into action with two classic comedies. Semi-Detached will be staged at Studley Village Hall at 7.30pm tomorrow. The play is set in the fictional suburb of Dowlihull and hero Fred Midway is a devious insurance
READERS will be aware Worcestershire County Council has been rated "excellent" in the recent Audit Commission inspection, its education service being second to none in the UK, not least for the quality of our education service management expertise. For
A WILDLIFE enthusiast travelled to Westminster to discuss new sealife legislation with Redditch MP Jacqui Smith - but was left disappointed after he was unable to meet her. John Partridge was one of 200 campaigners from Worcestershire Wildlife Trust who
REDDITCH'S answer to Naomi Campbell made it down to the final few in a national sweep on TV to find the next supermodel. Sara Bent, of Brockhill, was one of 50 girls selected from almost 7,000 wannabe catwalk queens for the Make Me a Supermodel contest
THE debate on how to occupy youths hanging around the streets of Headless Cross continued this week with ideas to get a kickabout area put in. Councillor Carole Gandy said she would be consulting residents about the possibility of asking the council to
HOME, away (Dr Martens Division One West fixtures unless stated) JULY Tue 20 Stratford Town (Friendly) 1-1 (Frost) Sat 24 AFC TELFORD (Friendly) 2-1 (Szewczyk 2) Tue 27 HEDNESFORD TOWN (Friendly) 1-2 (Frost) Thu 29 KOREA UNIVERSITIES XI (Friendly) 1-4
ON a bitter cold and snowy March evening, a good sized audience listened to Janet Cropley, from Evenley, talk about climbers and wall Shrubs. She defined wall shrubs as any shrub which is not quite hardy in this climate without a wall to protect it. She
HOLDERS Bromsgrove School successfully defended their title at the IAPS National Hockey Championships. Team: Will Weston-Smith, Aden Symonds, George Melhuish, Jack Eastgate, Ben Cox, Jon Hollway, Matt Cox, Alex Hollway, Joel Dudley. The under-13s team
DROITWICH men finally lost their place at the top of the West Midlands Division One on Saturday. Walsall's 6-1 win over Kingswinford ensured that Droitwich finished the season as runners-up. Captain Paul Atkinston though was pleased that his side had
AT the February meeting, speaker Ian Wright gave a talk and slide show on the variety of orchids in north east India. The monthly table show had a lot of very good plants. Judging by the quality of the plants, the society is going to have another fantastic
THE Redditch branch meets on the first Wednesday of each month - two consecutive months at noon at the Royal British Legion Club in Easemore Road and on the third month for a pub lunch at Broom Hall. A ramble is arranged for the second Wednesday in the
IT was a special day on Wednesday, February 23, for Rotary Clubs around the world as it was the centenary of the first Rotary meeting, which took place in Chicago in 1905. The Redditch club marked the occasion by inviting to its weekly meeting as many
LEOTARDS and leg warmers were in the limelight at Kingsley College last week when 43 talented pupils took to the stage with their production of the smash-hit Fame. The musical tells the story of a cross-section of talented youngsters striving to get to
A SPECIALIST unit for pupils with behavioural difficulties will be created at Woodrow First School. Worcestershire County Council's planning and regulatory committee agreed to plans for a new Pupil Referral Unit (PRU), at a meeting yesterday. Although
AN enthusiastic group of Redditch students is campaigning for better leisure facilities for town teenagers. The eight members of the citizenship class at NEW College have arranged to meet Paul Patten, Redditch Council's director of culture and development
REDDITCH employers were invited to celebrate the first anniversary of the opening of the Industrial Estate Learning Zone (IELZ) at Moons Moat Industrial Estate. NEW College vice-principal Tricia Burton was the keynote speaker at the event, a year after
March 21, 1980 PARENTS living on Winyates Housing Estate claim their children's lives are at risk every time heavy rainfalls flood a subway leading to school. Whenever there is a spell of bad weather, the Whitehouse Lane underpass is blocked off, say
CHILDREN in Redditch will soon have the chance to receive expert training in performing arts as the country's largest part-time stage school prepares to open a branch in the town. Students involved in Stagecoach, which was set up in 1988, train for three
March 25, 1955 REDDITCH staged the world premiere of a new film last Saturday morning and the stars were 55 Redditch children, who were there to see themselves. The film was made during a three-day visit to London last year by pupils at Headless Cross
A NEW youth club aimed at giving teenagers a safe place to socialise could be set up in Batchley if funding can be found. The Batchley Support Group is planning to use one of the spare rooms of The Brockhill pub in Willow Way for a twice-weekly youth
THERE were no Redditch entertainers more in demand on St Patrick's Day on Thursday than members of the McCarthy-Felton School of Irish Dance. The youngsters are entertaining people at Irish nights all over the area with a selection of reels, jigs and
KAY Harman, who was paralysed in a freak cycling accident last year, will be able to move back to the family home in Alcester within the next three months. Work began on a £45,000 extension to her Seggs Lane home on Monday. When complete, Kay will finally
MORE than 60 Rainbow Guides converged on St Nicholas School, Alcester, on Saturday for their Easter Eggstravaganza. During the afternoon the youngsters, aged between five and seven, enjoyed craft activities including making bonnets, mini gardens and pop-up
A TELEVISION makeover of a street in Salford Priors has brought neighbours closer together - but alienated them from the rest of the village. Ridsdale Close resident Mark Craythorne answered a newspaper advert from television company Hotbed Media, which
PLANS for safer crossing points in Alcester High Street are on show in Globe House and local people are asked for their comments. One option includes three dropped kerb crossings in High Street and one in Henley Street but takes away six car parking spaces
ALCESTER Churches Together have a busy schedule over the Easter weekend beginning with the traditional procession of witness around the town on Good Friday. It will leave the Baptist Church at 10.30am and stop outside each of the other four churches for
CBI director general Sir Digby Jones will be focusing on topical issues of the day at a special business lunch in Worcestershire in July. Tickets are expected to be snapped up for the lunch at The Pear Tree Inn & Country House Hotel, in Smite, near
WHILE staff at the Chamber of Commerce are tucking into their Easter eggs this weekend, an army of people will be working behind the scenes in a move to new offices. The Chamber of Commerce and Business Link, Herefordshire and Worcestershire, is moving
HEART patients in Bidford could have their warfarin clinic reinstated next month, ending months of enforced travel to Stratford for blood tests. The facility was one of a number of outreach clinics set up by the South Warwickshire General Hospitals NHS
PUPILS at Alcester Grammar School scored the second highest mark in the county in this year's Key Stage 3 tests - placing them in the top 100 schools in the country. Figures released on Thursday by the Department for Education and Skills showed the county's
Sylvia Hyde has to wade through some old stuff when setting up her charity shops in Alcester but occasionally she turns up some treasures. Utility pyjamas and Reckitts Blue tablets may not be most people's idea of a treasure but Mrs Hyde thought they
WHEN landlady Janet Kitchener took over at a Worcester city centre pub she wanted to do something different - but she did not imagine that would involve running the London Marathon. Mrs Kitchener started at the Saracen's Head in The Tything, 14 months
A CENTRAL Trains service running from Worcester is not among timetables being fully restored following an industrial dispute. Most of the company's services were reduced on January 1 because of a rest day working ban by train drivers' union ASLEF. Despite
GHELUVELT Park in Worcester is to benefit from improvements totalling £125,000 as part of a plan to rejuvenate city open spaces. The Barbourne park's extension by the River Severn will undergo a make-over featuring tree planting, new seating, a picnic
A FEMALE driver was left badly shaken after a large trolley fell from a lorry and collided twice with her green Peugeot near Sabrina Bridge in Hylton Road at 2.45pm on Friday, March 18. Police officers are trying to trace the vehicle, which was seen shortly
AN EGG-cellent day of Easter fun will be held to raise cash for Worcester's St Richard's Hospice. On Friday, youngsters are invited to hop along to Worcester Woods, in Spetchley, for an Easter Bunny Fun Run. Youngsters can rent rabbit ears, but are urged
FAMILIES can take part in a range of exciting activities with the National Trust across Worc-estershire this Easter. At the Greyfriars, on Friar Street in Worcester, children will be able to hunt for clues on the Easter Trail around the house and garden
ONE of the top tribute acts in the country is coming to Bromsgrove. Popular Led Zeppelin covers band, Fred Zeppelin, will play the Lickey End Club, Alcester Road, this Friday. Towards the end of last year the band was among the top ten live bands to see
ROLL UP! Roll up! Ladies and gentlemen, witness two of the universe's most terrifying alien menaces slugging it out for the title of the galaxy's kings of death and destruction. Camouflaged in the red corner are the humungous, dread-locked hunters, the
GUITAR Legend Gordon Giltrap appears in concert at Birmingham's Symphony Hall next Wednesday. He will be supported by the 92-piece Sheffield Philharmonic Orchestra in a concert which will feature two of his classical compositions - The Brotherhood Suite
COMEDIAN Russ Abbot stars in a new production of Oscar Wilde's classic comedy, Lord Arthur Savile's Crimes, at Malvern's Festival Theatre from Monday. Described as "a murderously funny comedy" the adaptation follows the fortunes of the amiable Lord Arthur
A CIRCUS with a difference arrives at Warwick Arts Centre this Easter when "irresistible new theatrical fantasy" Aurelia's Oratorio is presented from tomorrow until Easter Monday. Performed by Aurelia Thierree and Timothy Harling, the show, which recently
Thursday, March 24 West Midlands Youth Dance Platform, Swan Theatre, Worcester. Tickets from 01905 611427. Aurelia's Oratorio, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry. Until March 28. Tickets from 024 7652 4524. Astwood Bank Operatic Society: Franz Lehar's The
If, like me, you rushed out in an excited frenzy to sample the 'Phonics latest album, you'll (like me) wish you'd saved your legs - and pennies. Language.Sex.Violence.Other? (LSVO) pales into bland insignificance against their spell-binding newly-released
I'M positive this Leeds quintet won't be queuing for their jobseekers allowance for a long, long time after the release of their first work, aptly named Employment. Kaiser Chiefs - named after a rather successful South African football team - will be
A UNIQUE 1923 Daimler, lovingly restored by amateur enthusiast Simon Barringer, has won a major classic car competition. Mr Barringer spent four years working on the D16, which is the only surviving one of its type. The 36-year-old furniture upholsterer
A SPECIAL school will close its doors at the end of term tomorrow for the final time. Alexander Patterson, in Wolverley, near Kidderminster, has endured declining pupil numbers for years, with fewer than 20 now at the school. Worcestershire County Council
ELDERLY residents in Malvern and Ledbury are in for a sweet surprise this weekend as a charitable biker saddles up and heads out to deliver Easter eggs to them. Fifty-seven-year-old Peter Ede, from Malvern Link, has been busy collecting the tasty treats
A TERRIFIED woman fled from her car after a man smashed the front passenger side window and got in beside her. Police are appealing for information following the ''carjacking'' in Mount Pleasant, Southcrest, last Wednesday between 8.15-9.15pm. The woman
POLICE are seeking witnesses to an incident in which a man and woman were injured in Church Green East in the early hours of Sunday. Police are appealing to Saturday night revellers for information following the incident at about 1.05am. Officers say
TWO men received facial injuries after being attacked in a takeaway on Unicorn Hill. They left Chicago Rock at about 12.30am on Monday, March 7, and went to Italianos pizza place. After ordering their food, a man inside the shop started to hit them. They
STRIKERS Paul Szewczyk and Arthur Appleton have been given the green light by Bromsgrove Rovers boss Jimmy Mullen to terrorise the Southern League Division One West's best defences. The manager was licking his lips after he watched the duo bag braces
A MAN escaped empty-handed after walking into HSBC Bank in Studley with a carrier bag which appeared to have a gun inside. The man walked into the Alcester Road bank at about 3.20pm on Friday and showed a female cashier the bag covering what looked like
THIS new offering from Pixar, the creators of Toy Story and Finding Nemo, is once again an all family event. The Incredibles follows the life of Mr Incredible and his superhero family as they endeavour to save the world in typical hero fashion. After
IN an exclusive interview with the Worcester News today, one of the Eckington gipsy community speaks out against what she sees as a lack of fairness in the way they are being treated. In a week when Conservative party leader Michael Howard went controversially
BEOLEY sprinter Jade Peake has been matching the best runners in the country throughout last month. Peake, 15, has begun to cement a reputation as one of Britain's top young sprinters with impressive indoor performances. The Bromsgrove and Redditch Athletic
Just one week after her Grand Prix success in the Isle of Man, Bromsgrove and Redditch's Sharon Tonks elected to compete at 5km in the CAU Inter-Counties Championships in Coventry. With legs still very heavy from last week's 20km she preferred sharp speed
Wednesday, March 23 Film: Sea Inside, mac, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, 8,30pm. Thursday, March 24 Film: Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, mac, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, 8.30pm. Music: The Bleeding Hearts, 9 Items or More, Rock Caf 2000, Mill Race
REDDITCH residents must be kept "in the know" if people with learning difficulties are re-housed near them, says a Redditch councillor. At an executive committee meeting, Mark Shurmer said the council had a duty to inform Batchley residents if tenants
Alvechurch 5 Loughborough Dynamo 1 ALVECHURCH manager Peter Frain said it might have had something to do with his 40th birthday, but whatever the reason he wasn't complaining after watching his side take Loughborough apart at Lye Meadow. The Churchmen
Coalville 0 Studley 0 AFTER losing to Oldbury in midweek the last game Bees boss Kevin Rowlands wanted was a trip to Alliance high-flyers Coalville, but he was pleasantly surprised with the outcome. Indeed, as would anyone be considering the Bees haven't
GUITAR Legend Gordon Giltrap appears in concert at Birmingham's Symphony Hall next Wednesday. He will be supported by the 92-piece Sheffield Philharmonic Orchestra in a concert which will feature two of his classical compositions - The Brotherhood Suite
REDDITCH Special Olympians were in Hatfield for the St Albans Swimming Gala on Sunday and came home clutching a glut of medals. Matthew Daykin swam to silver in the 50m freestyle and was fourth in the 25m freestyle event. Jonathan Wedgbury took gold in
FITNESS and full health featured in a fun-filled "Wellbeing" day at Terry Spring Court. The residential home was a hive of activity on Wednesday as residents learned how to stay healthy and happy and keep their independence. During the day, they were
NICK Colley grabbed the winner last night as Worcester City defeated Moor Green 2-1 to jump into eighth in Nationwide North. Andy Preece's side survived a woeful first-half at Damson Park to complete a league double over the Moors, thereby landing their
ENGLAND'S 'A' team cricketers were well beaten by their Pakistan counterparts today after collapsing to 79 all out in Colombo. They lost by five wickets to give Pakistan their second successive win in the triangular series which also features host nation
HEREFORD'S hopes of reaching the Conference play-offs were hit by a controversial defeat at Christie Park last night. The Bulls looked to be heading back from the North West with at least a point against their close rivals but they were rocked when the
LEDBURY Town made it through to the fourth round of the West Midland League Premier Division League Cup last night with a 3-2 win at Wellington. The visitors hit back, after going behind on 10 minutes, when Lee Clueit levelled things up on half-time.
WOLVES boss Glenn Hoddle is rumoured to be on his way to Redditch for tonight's Birmingham Senior Cup tie at Valley Stadium. The former England manager who has a free midweek and no weekend fixture with his Coca Cola Championship team could be on his
Droitwich 7 Bromsgrove 53 North Midlands Cup quarter-finals THE FIRST encounter between fierce neighbours in 20-years went to the form book as Bromsgrove romped to an emphatic victory at the Glyn Mitchell Memorial Ground on Friday night. Bromsgrove can
Droitwich U9s 10 Bromsgrove U9s 5 Droitwich were victorious in March 18's taster before the senior sides clashed in the North Midlands Cup quarter-finals with two tries for Scott Howell. Droitwich and Bromsgrove's under-10s side were unable to produce
A FORMER Bromsgrove School pupil helped her team cut through the opposition to win the Dubai sevens tournament. Ally Taft, aged 30, was part of an Samurai Ladies team packed with international players which powered its way to the victory in the final.
Surely one way to improve the parking situation at Bromsgrove railway station would be to improve bus connections to the station. Initially - at considerably less cost - it should be possible to improve the publicity for those that already exist ( for
Last week we finally received our long awaited bins, although we only received one of the two grey household waste ones we asked for. Not wanting to complain, we figured we might be able to fit all the rubbish into the one bin if we tried hard enough.
There was worry a popular new arts and crafts market may have to close its doors to future craftspeople unless an alternative site could be found. The Bromsgrove Market was at the Dolphin Suite, at the swimming baths, but it was now planned to revert
CAN I ask the Wythall Ratepayers and Residents Association who they represent - is it themselves or the people who elected them? Last October they voted against a motion for more regular street cleaning throughout the Bromsgrove district. This year, on
About a year ago you ran a feature called Pleck Stores - End of an Era when Pleck Stores in Crabtree Lane closed down after being occupied as a corner shop for many years. While the loss of a local shop was sad, The Pleck has now started a new era almost
STRIKERS Paul Szewczyk and Arthur Appleton have been given the green light by Bromsgrove Rovers boss Jimmy Mullen to terrorise the Southern League Division One West's best defences. The manager was licking his lips after he watched the duo bag braces
Alvechurch Darts 1 Victoria Barnt Green 0 GAVIN Ottley ended Alvechurch Darts' long wait for cup success by scoring the winning goal in the Advertiser/Messenger Cup Final on Sunday evening. Ottley's 49th minute goal ended Alvechurch's 21-year wait for
BOTTOM of the table Blackwell earned a precious point in the Advertiser/Messenger Bromsgrove League on Sunday. A 0-0 draw with fourth placed Ringspanners means Blackwell are only a point away from Cofton Falcons. In Division Two Cofton Celtic moved to
University of Birmingham 3 Droitwich Spa 1 Challenge Vase semi-final (2nd leg) DROITWICH suffered more cup misery as they missed out on a final on Saturday. Despite controlling the game for long periods Droitwich could not match their Midland Combination
Redditch 6 Stourbridge Lions 34 THE Kingfishers' promotion hopes were dashed as Stourbridge Lions roared to a comfortable victory at Bromsgrove Road. Redditch can mathematically only finish third if they win their remaining games which includes a grudge
Droitwich Spa Reserves 2 Knowle Reserves 3 SPA'S poor form in the Midland Combination Division Three continued on Saturday. Droitwich had been closing in on ending their two game losing run when Knowle took all three points with an equaliser two minutes
LAST week's letter, We should have a pool, will not save Pam Davey's political skin in May and the Droitwich public will treat any promise of new plans for the Lido Park with a great deal of disbelief from Wychavon Council, which has totally lost the
IN quoting a paragraph from one of your contributors, may I add a few comments for your consideration and printing? The only thing we have been offered in return is a Waitrose supermarket monstrosity, which nobody wants and is staffed by people from Kidderminster
MAY I congratulate Councillor Martin Jennings for his timely intervention regarding the Lido and the lovely Norbury Theatre. Suggesting that a theatre, cinema and the Lido pool could all be accommodated within a fantastic pleasure area of the Lido Park
A LIDO is going and canals are coming. But two other recent council projects deserve equal anger. The Waitrose superstore is a carbuncle. Via the press, councillors promised it would enhance the place and be built of old brick and wood clad, with a slate
Droitwich 7 Bromsgrove 53 North Midlands Cup quarter-finals THE FIRST encounter between fierce neighbours in 20-years went to the form book as Bromsgrove romped to an emphatic victory at the Glyn Mitchell Memorial Ground on Friday night. Bromsgrove can
I THINK that both the city council and the bus services are inconsiderate towards the residents of the Red Hill area. They have a very poor bus service. To reach one, they have to walk to the London Road. Yet the council now wants to close the alleyway
President Barbara Maskell welcomed everyone. Several forthcoming events were announced, including a visit to Jonathons Restaurant today (Wednesday) for lunch and a flower demonstration. The venue for April's lunch club will be the French Hen, Clent, on
POLICE dogs have proved their worth on numerous occasions but "civvy" dogs can be a pain in more ways than one. One night back in the "dark ages" I was examining a wooden gate between two shops in Angel Place when an enormous and very ferocious dog hit
I'M saddened that supposedly intelligent, articulate people, like L Spiteri, D E Margrett and others continue to lecture us on the benefits of EU membership without making any attempt at researching the facts. L Spiteri asks where is the evidence for
President Sue Mayne welcomed members and one visitor. A few places remained for the April coach outing to Chepstow and Slimbridge. A theatre visit was arranged to see the musical Chicago later in the month. Two matches had been played in the county skittles
president Dot Waldron reported the receipt of acknowledgement letters for our recent donations to St Richard's Hospice and The Children's Society. Regarding the knitted blanket she has assembled from our knitting squares, it was agreed that this should
D E Margrett is again exposing his reluctance to accept reasoned argument. If our rubbish is merely "hygienic" packaging, how come it provides a diet for anything from rats to foxes? As regards being "..... not the only moaner" it's a pity more of us
THE future Prime Minister could be from Bromsgrove. Anna Freeman, 10, Mitchell Booth, 11, and Ashtoreth Gower, 10, prepare to battle it out in the election. Youngsters at one local school are going election crazy as they prepare for a mock General Election
TICKETS for a lecture to be given in Bromsgrove by a member of the Royal family next month are selling fast - but some are still available. The speaker at the chapel at Bromsgrove School on April 7 will be HRH the Duke of Gloucester. The duke, an architect
A CONTROVERSIAL plan for affordable housing in Belbroughton has been withdrawn. The proposed development by West Mercia Housing Group for 15 houses at The Glebe, had split the village. Some residents believed the land would be the best place for the housing
TOTS at a Spa nursery had a cracking time when an Easter egg-stravaganza was held last week. The fun event at Safehands Day Nursery, in Old Coach Road, involved the children dishing out beautifully decorated Easter biscuits to the parents, an Easter bonnet
THE countdown has begun to the 45th annual Bromsgrove Festival. A line-up of talented artists is set to wow townsfolk and visitors to the area in April and May. The event, which has been running since 1960, will feature shows from young groups and world-renowned
A REPORT into a helicopter crash which injured two people and caused 'major damage' was released this week. The Air Accident Investigations Branch has only just announced the details of the accident at the heliport at Stonebridge Cross Business Park on
A NEW learning zone has been launched in a Spa industrial estate, which will mean employers receive top-notch advice and support to help their staff. The first Industrial Estate Learning Zone (IELZ) at Hartlebury Trading Estate opened last Thursday. It
A BUILDING worker who attacked a neighbour in the early hours of Christmas Day two years ago has been jailed for 12 months. Drunken William Hinton had a row in the street with another man, which woke up residents. One of them, John Hopkins, opened a window
A SPA man has snapped up a 50-year-old Green Goddess - an old fire engine - and he may be the only private owner in the country. Builder Dave Pugh, of Rushock, bought the ex-fire engine for £6,500. He said: "Because it's so old, it doesn't need taxing
Moby may have been happy churning out techno-babble in the past but this latest offering from is destined to be a real classic. He has been hard at work at his New York apartment and in various American studios creating Hotel and that hard work has really
If, like me, you rushed out in an excited frenzy to sample the 'Phonics latest album, you'll (like me) wish you'd saved your legs - and pennies. Language.Sex.Violence.Other? (LSVO) pales into bland insignificance against their spell-binding newly-released
FANS of Paul Weller may be expecting his latest album of cover versions to include tracks by the Beatles or The Kinks. But true to Weller's typically unconventional style, he has opted instead to put his individual print on the hits of Sister Sledge,
I'M positive this Leeds quintet won't be queuing for their jobseekers allowance for a long, long time after the release of their first work, aptly named Employment. Kaiser Chiefs - named after a rather successful South African football team - will be
THE presence of Johnny Depp in any film is pretty much a guarantee that at its worst, it is going to be worth watching and at its best, unmissable. This falls into the latter category as the audience is transported into the world of Peter Pan author JM
WHEN my own children were growing up, we were fortunate. People like Mr Bowers ran youth football. He considered that was a service he could provide for the town. My own children played and also youth rugby at Redditch Cricket, Hockey & Rugby Club
THE challenge of tackling unruly teenagers on a daily basis may not be everybody's idea of fun but for Studley's new Police Community Support Officer, it is par for the course. PCSO Paul Gunnell has been pounding the beat of Studley since September, part
TO our largely Godless and materialistic society, may I remind people that this week the Church remembers the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. These events may largely pass you by as irrelevant but the fact remains Jesus died for your sins on a
WITH reference to your article headed ''Mini meadows'' (Advertiser, March 16), I have never heard such an apparently cynical idea as that proposed by Councillor Albert Wharrad to ''soften the impact of the bunds'' by sowing wild flower seeds. He must
THE owners of Feckenham Countryside Bird Farm Gardens and Pottery brought some Easter fun home to roost last week with the arrival of some little guests. The facility, on Droitwich Road, welcomed a batch of new-born chicks which promise to bring hours
ANTONIA Pulsford's letter (Advertiser, March 9) does indeed show the difference between Labour's approach to local politics and that of the Tories. First, she says the Tories gave certain charities three years of grants in 2004 - not true. They, in fact
I WAS delighted to finally learn what the new Palace Theatre frontage is going to look like (Advertiser, February 16). Being a long-standing supporter of the theatre, I am pleased to see it is finally getting some significant money spent on it. I was
I AM writing to tell you we came to the Palace Theatre and saw It Runs in the Family by Ullenhall Players. I can honestly say it was the funniest show we have ever seen. The scenery, the acting and the timing was impeccable. We will be back to see any
AN undercover investigation into off-licenses selling booze to underage youths saw two Studley shops reprimanded by Warwickshire Trading Standards. A pair of 14-year-old volunteers were sent into four off-licences in the village and asked to buy "alcopops
THANK you very much for sending me two tickets to attend the Miniatura Show at the NEC. I won them in your competition at the beginning of February. I have just returned, having spent a lovely day at the show with a friend who also has a doll's house.
SHARP shooters from Redditch Council are hoping to raise cash for charity in a fun-packed football match. It will take place at Abbey Stadium on Saturday, April 9, and see a squad from the council's landscaping department playing an 11-a-side game against
THE AGM was held on February 21 at Springfields, Hertford Road, Alcester. Chairman Sue Adams reviewed the year and reported two very successful social events had been held. There was a fun quiz night in the town hall in April and a barbecue at her home
HOME, away (Dr Martens Division One West fixtures unless stated) JULY Tue 20 Stratford Town (Friendly) 1-1 (Frost) Sat 24 AFC TELFORD (Friendly) 2-1 (Szewczyk 2) Tue 27 HEDNESFORD TOWN (Friendly) 1-2 (Frost) Thu 29 KOREA UNIVERSITIES XI (Friendly) 1-4
PERFORMANCE tables for 14 year olds have been published, revealing mixed fortunes for Redditch schools. The Key Stage 3 results show two Redditch schools - Arrow Vale Community High and Trinity High - ranked in the lowest five in Worcestershire. However
AT the February meeting, held on a bitterly cold afternoon, president Brenda Dainty reminded members the annual hot cross bun morning would be held at Wythall Institute on March 24 at 10am. Members were asked for contributions to the cake and craft stalls
HOT shot Droitwich rider Christopher Jones makes his step into the big-time when he starts the British Superbikes 125 CC Grand Prix season at Brands Hatch on Bank Holiday Monday. Jones, aged 14, has been tipped my many to take the series by storm after
THE February meeting organised by the Redditch and Alcester group saw a modern technology presentation by Tony Bowles with his computerised digital slide show called GWR - A Railway Re-born. This covered the decline and closure of the Stratford to Cheltenham
BELBROUGHTON golfer Matthew Morris steps up to play his first European Tour event of 2005 this weekend. Morris will be hoping to make his mark when he tees off at Indonesia's Cengkareng Golf Club in the Enjoy Jakarta Standard Chartered Open. Morris, who
Desperate to get into the village hall for the monthly meeting, members fought the modern technology of the new "secure" entry system and were rewarded with a warm welcome from president Sue. Now the monthly book review club is under way, Sue thought
President Judith Scott was pleased to welcome speaker Josephine Morgan to the March meeting as she was a former member of Ipsley WI. Since moving to Stratford from Redditch, Josephine had visited China three times to learn the art of brush painting. She
HOCKEY: Bromsgrove men's 1st XI 6 Rugeley men's 1st XI 3 BROMSGROVE ended their turbulent season on a high note with an emphatic first half performance on Saturday. The Boars sealed their mid-table place in the West Midlands Division One after a four
ON March 8, members enjoyed an evening watching John Pugh make petite fours. He shaped coloured marzipan into tiny apples and oranges and also demonstrated how mouth-watering rum truffles could be easily made. Rita Hoare won the raffle.
HOCKEY: Streetly men's 2nd XI 2 Bromsgrove men's 2nd XI 3 SHAUN Jackson bagged a late winner as champions Bromsgrove signed off for the season with a hard fought victory on Saturday. Jackson's second half goal saw off spirited Streetly and handed Bromsgrove
HOCKEY: Droitwich men's 3rd XI 3 Barford Tigers men's 3rd XI 1 DROITWICH kept their place in the Coaching Solutions West Midlands Premier Division by inflicting champions Barford with their first defeat of the season on Saturday. Spa, inspired by captain
THE meeting on Wednesday, March 2, took place during Fair Trade Fortnight and the refreshments and raffle prizes reflected the interest. Speaker Margaret Anderson gave a talk and slide show about the work of volunteer members on the Woodland Trust in
A GREEN-fingered Alvechurch headteacher will be scaling new heights when he retires at Easter. Alvechurch Middle School headteacher Colin Nesbitt is looking forward to swapping working for walking when he leaves the Tanyard Lane school. And he is also
March 25, 1905 GEORGE Hemming, Peakman Street, Redditch, was charged with being drunk in Peakman Street on March 15th. Defendant denied the offence. Pc Green stated he saw defendant, who was very drunk, going home. Directly afterwards, he saw defendant
A MOTORCYCLING legend is returning home after nearly 40 years. Royal Enfield shut its Redditch factory in 1967 after operations were moved to India. But now the famous brand name is returning to the area after Arden Motorcycles, of Alcester, took on the
A WYTHALL couple who have cruised through 50 years of marriage will be sailing off into the sunset in a double celebration. Cruise-loving couple Mo and Raymond Milner, of Manor Road, celebrated Mo's 70th birthday on Friday - the day before their Golden
Droitwich 7 Bromsgrove 53 North Midlands Cup quarter-finals THE FIRST encounter between fierce neighbours in 20-years went to the form book as Bromsgrove romped to an emphatic victory at the Glyn Mitchell Memorial Ground on Friday night. Bromsgrove can
THE annual Heart of England Town Criers Competition is set to take place on Saturday. Town criers from 17 towns around the country are expected to take part in the colourful event. They will parade through the town at about 1.45pm and gather in the grounds
PEDAL power was the order of the day on Saturday when Alcester residents got on their bikes to celebrate the launch of the town's cycle hire centre. A number of activities kept visitors to the event entertained before the mayor, Councillor Chris Gough
A WORCESTER car dealer has joined forces with an art gallery in an unusual partnership to create a car showroom with a difference. Robert Stern BMW, which is based in Wainwright Road, joins Moseley-based Marcus Galleries. It has included artworks from
TRUSTEES of Alcester's Greig Centre should know today whether their application for further funding from Stratford District Council has been successful. They have asked the Avon Area Community Committee for support over three years during the early stages
RESIDENTS throughout the Stratford district are to receive discount vouchers worth £220 towards days out in a bid to boost tourism. The vouchers, which will go out with council tax letters, are part of a joint promotion from South Warwickshire Tourism
GIPSIES camped illegally in a Worcestershire village have been scared to go to sleep after threats their caravans would be burnt down. With unauthorised traveller camps high on the political agenda, fresh controversy has brought with it unwanted attention
AN INQUEST into the death of "hugely popular" snowboarder Tim Boaz concluded that he died of multiple injuries when he fell 30 metres down a snow-covered crevasse. Yesterday, Worcestershire Coroner Victor Round recorded a verdict of accidental death for
WALKERS and nature enthusiasts are being urged to combine the two hobbies with a bluebell walk. Shrawley Village Hall fund-raisers are organising a series of walks in the local woods on Sunday, May 1 and Monday, May 2. Known as the Bluebell Walks, there
THE official closure of the Army Medal Office in Droitwich is due to take place today. The office has been in existence since the inception of the first medal which was awarded for the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, but has only been in Droitwich for the
A WORCESTER mum whose daughter suffers with dyspraxia is appealing to other parents in the same position to get in touch to form a support group in the area. Cathy Parvin's eight-year-old daughter Lydia was diagnosed with the condition - which causes
VANDALS using stolen fire extinguishers caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to homes, businesses and parked cars in Droitwich. Police revealed today that seven extinguishers were stolen from the Waitrose construction site in Saltway and then used
FROM the baroque splendour of Great Witley church to pre-Raphaelite style at Wilden, Worcestershire churches have a wealth of treasures for people to admire. Visitors on Easter Monday can follow a trail of 12 churches at Wilden, Stourport, Ribbesford,
STORIES and memorabilia from the dark days of the Second World War will be shared in Worcester next month to commemorate 60 years since the end of the conflict. Flags and bunting will adorn the memorial hall in Fernhill Heath on St George's Day, allowing
