DROITWICH took on a Worcestershire XI organised by former international umpire Ray Julian on Tuesday, August 9. THE UMPIRE STRIKES BACK: Droitwich captain Steve Walsh (left) stands with organiser and former umpire Ray Julian (centre) and Worcester select
DROITWICH Spa kick-started their preparations for the 2005/2006 season by reaching the semi-finals of their own ten-a-side tournament on Saturday. BALL RUNNER: Droitwich RFC's ten-a-side tournament was packed with action on Saturday. The hosts braved
BROMSGROVE District Council blunders on... Short termism predominates... The station car park is a miserable failure. One piecemeal, irresponsible solution to the parking problem was to use the rugby club. Hello there... perhaps I should mention 'lone
I WOULD like to point out that not all the nearby residents of the Hop Pole object to music being played there. I live within 50 metres of the pub and have not experienced any noisy revellers at all since it re opened its doors to live music. What this
WITH reference to the letter of 'One of the grateful majority' (August 3) regarding music at the Hop Pole pub I would question the author's assumption that they are indeed in the 'majority' in this scenario. A very large number of music fans in Bromsgrove
TO 'Mystified', I'm just mystified why you are still living in Bromsgrove as according to you its railway station is useless, the roads are rubbish and it has no culture. Of all the places you have lived in go and live in one of them, otherwise shut up
THROUGH Your View I wish to thank sincerely the two persons who kindly assisted my husband on the Tuesday afternoon of August 2 on The Flats and gave him a lift home to Willow Road. It is reassuring to know that there are people who care. Mrs M Jagoda
RECENTLY I needed physiotherapy at the Princess of Wales Community Hospital. but as the weeks went by I thought I had been forgotten. Then I received a phone call - could I go that day as they had a cancellation. The treatment I received was excellent
HOW dare we the villains, the uneducated, the peasants have any views on what goes on in Droitwich Spa? How dare we think for ourselves? How dare we have any opinions? How dare we question the Lords of the Manor who are educated and who are our natural
I SEE that John Lloyd has again written that the ratepayers do not want the new Waitrose store. He bases this comment on the result of a Parish Poll in which a very small minority of voters took part. Has he been to the new store? Does he prefer to shop
ROMANTICS and dance enthusiasts alike can learn ballroom dancing in six weeks at a school in Worcester. 'Dance at 8' will be providing ballroom dance classes in waltz & quickstep for absolute beginners on Monday September, 7 at Christopher Whitehead
BIRMINGHAM'S Sutton Park is the venue for the British Heart Foundation's fund-raising walk on Saturday, August 20. The three and a half mile walk, which starts at 10.45am, is to raise awareness of heart disease and funds for the charity. Heart foundation
THE fountains and the feeding of swans on South Parade are a big attraction to children. It would be very difficult to rescue anyone from the river due to the high wall at this point. A low chain-link fence attached to the existing fence in this area
August Produce Show report THE 11th annual produce show was held at the village hall on August 6 when the classes were many and varied, ranging from flowers to fruit and photography, as well as crafts and cookery. The prizes were presented by Winifred
ONE Tuesday recently, someone put out with their rubbish a tin of gloss paint - wrapped in a black bin bag - which exploded all over the collector, someone's car and our newly tarmaced road surface. This was bad for everybody, but I want to say thank
WORLD leaders will soon have the opportunity to prevent food crises like Niger ever happening again. More than three million people, including 800,000 children, are now facing starvation because governments around the world have failed to respond to an
THE July garden party at Hill House was held in glorious sunshine, and our first act was to join our president Dot Waldron in a period of silent remembrance for the victims of the London suicide bombings of the previous week. The theme of the meeting
A KIND-HEARTED group of volunteers had the wind in their sails as they raised cash for charity. Members of the Upton Warren Sailing Club took to the waters for 12 hours after being sponsored by family and friends. The sailors navigated a set course across
THE total cost of making six senior council chiefs redundant as part of the biggest ever jobs shake up at the Council House is just short of £900,000 - the Advertiser/Messenger can exclusively reveal The cash has been set aside from Bromsgrove District
Crucial services could be lost at a hospital used by local residents after it was announced that spending cuts need to be made. Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which is responsible for Alexandra Hospital, in Redditch, said it will have to make
POLICE could be brought in to help the fight against bullying at a Rubery school. Drop-in clinics are being planned for Waseley Hills High School after their success at other schools in the area. Chief Inspector Charlie Hill, of Bromsgrove police, will
A mechanic booked a hotel room to have sex with a 13-year-old schoolgirl, Worcester Crown Court heard. Richard Warman took along his girlfriend's contraceptive pills and ordered the teenager to take one. The meeting at the Comfort Inn in Birmingham came
A BROMSGROVE district councillor will be back in the hot seat this Friday when his three-month suspension ends. Councillor Athol Deakin (Lab-Sidemoor) was suspended after using threatening behaviour to fellow ward representative Cllr Bill Newnes. But
TRAVELLING by bus is just the ticket for residents using the district council's concessionary fares scheme. A recent survey reveals that 91 per cent of people who filled in a questionnaire said they were satisfied with the service the scheme provides.
GIANT kangaroos bounced into Droitwich to give Spa children a taste of Down Under during their summer holiday. Lido Park, in Worcester Road, played host to the mammoth marsupials yesterday (Tuesday) as part of Wychavon District Council's programme of
RESIDENTS in the Bromsgrove district have been given a well-deserved pat on the back for making the kerbside refuse and recycling scheme such a success. Bromsgrove District Council has said a big 'thank you' to everyone for helping the authority achieve
NATURE loving children from a Droitwich nursery took a walk on the wild side during a holiday club. Youngsters from Safehands Nursery visited the Lickey Hills and were given a guided tour by one of the nature park rangers. The children, aged between five
A PLAN to run a trial of having market stalls in Bromsgrove High Street has been welcomed by shopkeepers who took part in a survey. The district council sent out 130 letters to traders in the town centre asking for their views. So far 58 have replied
RESIDENTS of a Spa housing estate need never be bored again with a jam-packed activity schedule at their lovingly refurbished community centre throughout the week. Over the past year, passionate fundraisers from the Westlands estate have managed to scrape
MARGARET Green has an eye for a bargain and is always looking out for special deals and two-for-one offers. But the 46-year-old's bargain hunting is all in aid of raffles, bingo prizes and tombola stalls. Her fund-raising efforts are so remarkable that
WHEN a group of cheerleaders witness a brutal murder they are forced into hiding to keep safe before the time comes for them to give evidence in court. Given the dubious task of protecting the girls is Texas ranger Roland Sharp (Tommy Lee Jones) who has
TRAILERS for The Island inform audiences that it is "from the makers of Pearl Harbour" - not a great selling point, I'm sure you will agree, because that film was stinker. No doubt cinemagoers were turned off in their droves because of this piece of marketing
Nate James may be tipped as one of the breakthrough stars of 2005 but I have to confess my ignorance of Britain's new soul sensation. With his mass of Hendrix-esque hair, James certainly has an unmistakable look. But as for "setting the tone", I feel
HE might look like an ageing ex-boyband member who should know better than to attempt an assault on the music charts but this Canadian singer/songwriter must be doing something right. His first single from this self-titled album, Bad Day, has already
For those who haven't been taking much notice, it seems donkeys since we last heard from the brothers Reid. You wouldn't have been surprised if you had found them working in a petrol station by now, or maybe an accountancy firm. However, they have been
BROMSGROVE Olympique rider Genny Billington took on the best young cyclists in the country in the Kerry Youth Tour event in Ireland. The teenager wore the yellow jersey, after she won a stage of the course which is held in County Kerry in southern Ireland
I WAS thrilled to have the chance to watch Tarzan 2 after being thoroughly delighted with Disney's first instalment of the original classic story. However, don't expect (as I did) to see what happens to Tarzan and Jane - with scatty father in toe - as
BELBROUGHTON'S Matthew Morris missed the cut at the Cadillac Russian Open over the weekend. Morris, making a step up from the Challenge Tour to the European Tour for the second week in a row, finished the event 137th. He missed out on the final two rounds
A LORRY driver has been found not guilty of manslaughter after a fork-lift truck operator was crushed to death at Halfords' Washford West centre. Jason Traynor, 33, of Hasting Road, Charford, had denied the manslaughter of Harold Underwood in March last
VILLAGERS in Studley had a "wheelie" good time during a charity event on Sunday . Scores of residents turned out for the annual wheelbarrow race, which saw pub teams don fancy dress and dash between the 11 village boozers, guzzling a half pint in each
A BUILDING worker who attacked a pub customer with a bottle denied the offence despite "the clearest possible evidence", according to a judge. James Carter attacked David Bevan outside the Brockhill pub, in Willow Way, Batchley, and was convicted by a
Asda telling off SUPERMARKET giant Tesco claimed a victory over Asda as its objections to the Asda's adverts were upheld. Tesco objected to press adverts and a TV commercial which claimed Asda was "officially Britain's lowest priced supermarket" based
A REDDITCH schoolboy who raped a fellow pupil and mounted a sex attack on another girl is facing jail. The teenager met the first victim after school and forced her to perform a sex act on him in woodland near their Redditch school - which under new laws
BRITONS are increasingly looking to sidestep estate agents fees by selling their online, research claimed. Seven out of 10 people said they would now feel comfortable selling their home over the internet. potentially saving around £5,000 in estate agents
CONTROVERSIAL plans for new flats on the site of the Co-op Pioneer store in Studley have once again been rejected because councillors decided the building would have overshadowed neighbours. Members of Stratford Council's planning committee threw out
A MOTOR industry logistics specialist in Worcester has been awarded a £1.2m contract with another city firm. TM Logistics rolled out the deal with international component manufacturer Hydro Aluminium UK. The three year contract will see TM Logistics managing
"BUILDING a relationship" with townspeople was the aim when the Countryside Alliance appeared for a small rally in Redditch recently. Croome and West Warwickshire huntsman Pete Astle said hunt members wanted to raise awareness of their way of life when
EXTENDED pub opening hours will stretch police resources, fears a town councillor - and one nightclub manager thinks it will merely move trouble later into night. Conservative councillor Peter Anderson is horrified at the prospect of round-the-clock drinking
THANK you to Karen Morris (Letters, August 10). I have been trying to raise concern about lanes in and around Callow Hill, Elcocks Brook, Ham Green and Feckenham for some time now. Although not so high profile as Astwood Bank, our problems are just as
A WINYATES Green teenager died of "catastrophic brain injuries" after a collision with a car, an inquest heard. Nicholas Andrews, of Prestbury Close, died on the evening of February 9 after he hit the front of a Seat Toledo on the A435 Birmingham Road
I AM 77 years old. my sister is 80 and my husband 84. Every Tuesday morning, we travel into Redditch, a ritual we look forward to as to us, it is akin to a day out. This for my sister especially, who lives alone and walks with a stick. Owing to degeneration
BLACK and ethnic minority groups in Redditch want Worcestershire County Council to visit their communities and hear concerns at grass roots level. The county council recently held its first meeting to gauge the views of the county's black and ethnic minority
I WISH to reply to the letter from Greg Whittaker (Advertiser, August 10) in which he claimed animal rights campaigners have misconceptions about angling. He also said I am either extremely ignorant or that I knowingly spread falsehoods about his ''sport
MAY we, through your columns, appeal to the ladies using the Nags Head pub in Studley at the weekends to wait until they get home before losing their inhibitions - and their knickers? (Letters, August 10). We also had the dubious pleasure of finding a
I FEEL compelled to write after reading the front page report on the Alexandra Hospital (Advertiser, August 3). I was recently hospitalised and following prompt and excellent care of my initial difficulty, spent 10 days on a ward under observation. I
A CRIMEWATCH-style service is thriving across Worcestershire and Here-fordshire with one in five calls leading to arrests and thousands of pounds of loot recovered. West Mercia Police's Crimestoppers was set up in 1994 so members of the public could phone
HAROLD Laugher, aged 15, from Staple Hill, appeared at Bromsgrove police court charged with hitting Lilly Perks, a girl of the same age, on the head causing her nose to bleed. However, a witness told magistrates her nose bled whenever the schoolmaster
BUS bosses are calling on people to support Worcester's new park-and-ride scheme, saying 'It's over to you'. The new Project Express scheme will see a raft of timetable, fare and route changes come into effect next month, with proposals for top-notch
THE group held its meeting on July 28 at Wythall Village Hall. Members and visitors were welcomed and the meeting opened with the group prayer. President Miriam Knowles announced the sad and unexpected death of Brenda Dainty. Brenda had been a longstanding
THE society enters the 2005/06 session with a full and interesting programme of meetings to look forward to. Speakers will talk on subjects such as Latin America, motor racing, postbuses and TPOs. There will be visits to and from other philatelic societies
THE July 7 meeting began sadly when members observed two minutes silence for the victims of the London bombings. The 43rd AGM was held and interesting reports of the Circle's activities were read and the committee was re-elected en bloc, with the exception
VICE-president Beryl Parsons took the chair at the recent summer meeting and asked members to observe a minute's silence for Brenda Dainty, who died in hospital after a short illness. Brenda had been the hard-working and inspirational president of Drakes
ON July 11, members visited the Alpine Garden Society Garden at Pershore College where they were given an interesting presentation and useful tips on planting an alpine garden and how to integrate it into other parts of the garden. The next meeting will
OPERA fans are set for a treat in Tardebigge on Sunday, when one of the world's best young tenors performs. Kennedy, who scooped the Rosenblatt Song prize in Cardiff in June, will perform Songs of Eternity and Sorrow at Tardebigge church (3pm start).
AN Alzheimer's patient who featured on the front page of the Worcester News on Tuesday, June 7, under the headline 'They sent mum home to die' has passed away. Mavis Ratcliffe, aged 78, was sent home by Worcestershire Royal Hospital after doctors said
PREPARATIONS are well under way for next month's Autumn Garden & Country Show. And the highlight of this year's show is the final chance of the season to see the Royal Horticultural Society Flower Show. Bargain plants, the Children's Farm Park, a
A woman is recovering in hospital after she was trampled by a herd of cows while walking her dog. The woman is believed to be in a stable condition but has chest injuries and extensive bruising all over her body. The 64-year-old, who is believed to have
A week after a young boy was burned on a canal bridge in Worcester, police are trying to find out about what happened. The police will be stopping people on the canal towpath just off Wordsworth Avenue in Perdiswell tonight to see if they remember anything
Mayor appeals to find vandals who set fire to school ALCESTER Mayor Jim Kenyon has urged the public to come forward with information after arsonists attacked a primary school in the town on Friday. Mr Kenyon said residents should not be afraid to shop
PLANS to build a bridge linking the Conway Fields to the River Arrow nature reserve in Alcester have ruffled feathers with the town's wildlife conservationists. The proposed bridge would offer an easier access route between the new community sports centre
HE might look like an ageing ex-boyband member who should know better than to attempt an assault on the music charts but this Canadian singer/songwriter must be doing something right. His first single from this self-titled album, Bad Day, has already
Sutton Coldfield Town 1 Bromsgrove Rovers 1 BROMSGROVE Rovers held on for a well-earned point at Coles Lane after defender Ross Collins was controversially sent off on Monday night. Collins was originally the hero for Rovers when he opened the scoring
Bromsgrove Rovers 2 Beaconsfield SYCOB 0 ROVERS kicked off the Southern League Division One West with a hard fought, but deserved victory over Beaconsfield SYCOB at the Victoria Ground on Saturday. HEADER HERO: Midfielder Scott Hadland opened the scoring
We don't want to count our chickens before they're hatched, but let no one be in any doubt that the latest Crimestoppers statistics make very good reading indeed. The figures for the six months from January to June are already pointing to what could ultimately
BROMSGROVE Rovers manager Jimmy Mullen has vowed to find the solution to his side's lack of firepower. Rovers have made a strong start to the Southern League Division One West, after beating Beaconsfield SYCOB and drawing with Sutton Coldfield Town. However
WORCESTER Warriors have agreed one-year deals with prop pair Mike MacDonald and Tevita Taumoepeau. The front-row duo have been on trial at Sixways and director of rugby John Brain secured the services of both for the coming season, with the option of
CHRIS Gayle will make a whirlwind impact at Worcestershire, according to chief executive Mark Newton. The West Indian Test star checks in at New Road for his first stint in county cricket, replacing Zander de Bruyn who joins up with South Africa 'A' after
WORCESTER Warriors have agreed one-year deals with prop pair Mike MacDonald and Tevita Taumoepeau. The front-row duo have been on trial at Sixways and director of rugby John Brain secured the services of both for the coming season, with the option of
EVESHAM United continue to adapt to the Southern League Premier Division after last night's 1-0 home defeat to Team Bath. The Robins, beaten 3-0 at Tiverton on Saturday, created little in the way of chances in a scrappy display at Common Road. Goalkeeper
JUNIOR rower Fern Cotterill raced to a brilliant bronze for Great Britain at the world Under 18s championships in Germany. The Worcestershire 18-year-old secured her medal in the quad sculls at the Brandenburg competition. And she was back on the water
SHAKESPEARE'S hilarious romp in the Forest of Arden, As You Like It, has opened at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford. The final play in the RSC's comedy season, the play is a convoluted tale of feuding within and between families, love, exile
Thursday August 18 Film: Sin City, 18, Artrix, School Drive, Bromsgrove, 7.45pm. Show: Bromsgrove and District Flower Arrangement Society, All Saint's Church Hall Burcot Lane, Bromsgrove. 2.30pm. Clown: Clown Peteza, bandstand, Sanders Park, off Kidderminster
* (I) indicates Internet entries. Each of the following won a pair of tickets to the Memorabilia Show at the NEC on August 13/14: L Badsey, Warwick Street, Stourport; A Clayton, Manor Road, Eckington (I); C. Darkes, Marlpool Lane, Kidderminster; MJ Harrison
SHAKESPEARE'S hilarious romp in the Forest of Arden, As You Like It, has opened at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford. The final play in the RSC's comedy season, the play is a convoluted tale of feuding within and between families, love, exile
THEATRE fans are in for a treat when 'Men of the World' is performed in Worcester. The play, by John Godber, sees three northern coach drivers pass time remembering past trips abroad and the passengers that have annoyed them over the years. The funny
ROMANTICS and dance enthusiasts alike can learn ballroom dancing in six weeks at a school in Worcester. 'Dance at 8' will be providing ballroom dance classes in waltz & quickstep for absolute beginners on Monday September, 7 at Christopher Whitehead
BIRMINGHAM'S Sutton Park is the venue for the British Heart Foundation's fund-raising walk on Saturday, August 20. The three and a half mile walk, which starts at 10.45am, is to raise awareness of heart disease and funds for the charity. Heart foundation
WHEN a group of cheerleaders witness a brutal murder they are forced into hiding to keep safe before the time comes for them to give evidence in court. Given the dubious task of protecting the girls is Texas ranger Roland Sharp (Tommy Lee Jones) who has
TRAILERS for The Island inform audiences that it is "from the makers of Pearl Harbour" - not a great selling point, I'm sure you will agree, because that film was stinker. No doubt cinemagoers were turned off in their droves because of this piece of marketing
Nate James may be tipped as one of the breakthrough stars of 2005 but I have to confess my ignorance of Britain's new soul sensation. With his mass of Hendrix-esque hair, James certainly has an unmistakable look. But as for "setting the tone", I feel
HE might look like an ageing ex-boyband member who should know better than to attempt an assault on the music charts but this Canadian singer/songwriter must be doing something right. His first single from this self-titled album, Bad Day, has already
I WAS thrilled to have the chance to watch Tarzan 2 after being thoroughly delighted with Disney's first instalment of the original classic story. However, don't expect (as I did) to see what happens to Tarzan and Jane - with scatty father in toe - as
Bromsgrove 107-9 Shrewsbury 108-4 Bromsgrove lost by six wickets BROMSGROVE must be wondering when their luck will change after they suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of promotion chasing Shrewsbury on Saturday. While the rest of the fixtures in the
AVONCROFT took full advantage of the rain to close in on Worcester League Division Three leaders Lye on Saturday. The seven-wicket victory over Worcester Dominies and Lye's abandoned match against Old Vigornians means that 'Croft are just a point behind
DROITWICH may be struggling in the County League, but they continue to set the pace on a Sunday. The 72 run victory over Bewdley in the Fearnley Worcestershire Sunday League ensured they remain top of the First XI Division. Australian Josh Staines hit
STEPHEN Peters was in excellent touch today as Worcestershire made positive strides towards Somerset's 318 in the Frizzell County Championship. Despite the loss of Stephen Moore for 28, the County encountered no further problems in reaching 93-1 after
CHRIS Gayle will make a whirlwind impact at Worcestershire, according to chief executive Mark Newton. The West Indian Test star checks in at New Road for his first stint in county cricket, replacing Zander de Bruyn who joins up with South Africa 'A' after
Dr D Simones Jones has been commenting in the local press about the need for housing in Bromsgrove. Almost four years ago now my husband and I parted. I was living at that time in the family home which was a three bedroom semi with my youngest daughter
HOW annoying is it in Charford to see pavements being ripped up and re-surfaced when there is nothing wrong with them and the roads have been crumbling away under our wheels for years now? Anyone who doesn't agree I recommend they take a drive along Gilbert
HAVING read last week's edition and the story regarding the railway safety signal I wish to bring it to the attention of local Stoke Prior parents that this statment is actually incorrect with a view to Stoke Prior railway safety. This stretch of railway
BROMSGROVE Rovers manager Jimmy Mullen has vowed to find the solution to his side's lack of firepower. Rovers have made a strong start to the Southern League Division One West, after beating Beaconsfield SYCOB and drawing with Sutton Coldfield Town. However
Sutton Coldfield Town 1 Bromsgrove Rovers 1 BROMSGROVE Rovers held on for a well-earned point at Coles Lane after defender Ross Collins was controversially sent off on Monday night. Collins was originally the hero for Rovers when he opened the scoring
Bromsgrove Rovers 2 Beaconsfield SYCOB 0 ROVERS kicked off the Southern League Division One West with a hard fought, but deserved victory over Beaconsfield SYCOB at the Victoria Ground on Saturday. HEADER HERO: Midfielder Scott Hadland opened the scoring
BARNT Green Spartak will be aiming to get what manager GJ Singh hopes will be a promotion winning campaign off to a strong start on Saturday (2.45pm kick off). Spartak face a tough opener to the Midland Combination Premier Division when they entertain
CHAIRMAN Dave West is confident that new manager Tom Goss is building a team for the future at Droitwich Spa. Spa are set for a daunting start to the Midland Combination Division Two away at champions University of Birmingham on Saturday (2.45pm kick
By Helen Clarke A FILM crew recently descended on Studley to film an episode of ITV's Heart of the Country. It was lights, camera, action last weekend as the crew spent from 7am in the village, filming a day in the life of Revs Richard and Margaret Deimel
IF Councillor Roy Seaborne is suddenly so concerned about ribbons tied on our Salt Makers' statue, why hasn't he fixed its fountain or retrieved the surrounding square's Christmas lights after only 18 months wait? Mark R Heel Burrish Street Droitwich
THEATRE fans are in for a treat when 'Men of the World' is performed in Worcester. The play, by John Godber, sees three northern coach drivers pass time remembering past trips abroad and the passengers that have annoyed them over the years. The funny
Sexy senoritas and wannabe Latin lovers will have the chance to feel the passion and rhythm of the salsa in Bromsgrove. European female amateur champion and top quality international dance teacher Joanne Treagus is set to bring her Salsa Red team of instructors
BEFORE they start to reduce the number of seagulls harmlessly existing in the city, perhaps the powers-that-be might consider pruning back Worcester's yob population. Both sides of the river north of the bridge are full of traffic cones, shopping trolleys
Droitwich Spa WI celebrated in August with a meeting in the garden of its president, Margaret Wainwright. It had been planned to meet in the garden in July, but the appalling weather on the day forced a change of venue. As the secretary was not able to
The committee held its August meeting and invited members of other WIs in the Bromsgrove group. Ann Day, of Catshill WI, gave a talk on the wonderful craft of quilt making and amazed us all with her eye for detail and colour. Ann also took along part
JOYCE Rose says animals should be treated like one of the family. I always buy my canary, Benji, a birthday card each November - he'll be seven this year. He's on his last legs, poor chap... like me. GEORGE COWLEY, Warndon, Worcester.
Our talk was titled allotments in Birmingham. Adrian Stagg, the allotments administrator for Birmingham City Council, opened with a very interesting history of the establishment of allotments and Eddie Campbell, an allotments co-ordinator, told us about
FORTY-six walkers joined the coach at Sanders Park for an outing to Worcester. Almost 30 of us left the coach at Hawford and walked to join the River Severn just above Bevere Lock and weir. We followed the River Severn downstream to Worcester in beautiful
YOUR front page article on Monday, August 8 commenting on Blessed Edward Oldcorne's campaign to have a sixth form and the promised LSC Review did not tell the full story. Each year, about 100 students join Worcester Sixth Form College from Blessed Edward
ELDERLY spectators were among the many that braved the rain in Bromsgrove to pay tribute to those who gave their lives during the Second World War. They gathered around the Burma Star memorial in Crown Close Green at noon last Saturday to take part in
BROMSGROVE teenagers branched out with the help of a top town tourist attraction. The Guesten Hall at the Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings, in Stoke Heath, was the setting for the Teenage Turners' Training event where youngsters learnt the art of
Bromsgrove police station will open its doors to law-abiding residents so they can take a closer look at how modern crime fighting is carried out. The open day is this Sunday and visitors will be able to view a range of police vehicles, including the
TALENTED pupils have travelled the world without ever leaving their Bromsgrove classroom. Millfields First School held its annual art week, which focused on performance arts and drama from around the globe. Each class looked at a different country and
SCHOOL dinners are now the popular choice at a Rednal school after a new hall was built. A new dining hall extension has been added to Colmers Farm School, Leybrook Road, which means hungry youngsters from both the infant and junior schools can enjoy
BROMSGROVE'S £2.6m failing entertainment centre is being forced to re-launch just six months after opening and numerous council handouts. Bromsgrove District Council gave the Artrix, in School Drive, an immediate 'start up' grant of £40,000 and a further
A MULTI-CULTURAL picnic will be held in Waseley Hills Country Park in Rubery next month with the intention of encouraging more ethnic minorities to visit the countryside. The £11,500 event is intended to forge links between urban residents and farmers
THE man accused of killing a fork-lift truck driver in the yard of a distribution centre in Redditch has been cleared in court. Jason Traynor was alleged to have 'carried on regardless' with a 360-degree turn before he collided with the fork-lift truck
TRAIN users in Bromsgrove have received a boost after it was announced that the northbound platform will be lengthened. But Droitwich Spa travellers have not been so lucky as there will be no significant improvements on the Cotswold line through Worcester
Tuesday, August 16 KIDDERMINSTER Harriers were struck on the counter-attack as they lost their first away game of the season 1-0 at Exeter City last night. Stuart Watkiss' side, on the back of Saturday's 2-1 win over Woking, had plenty of the play against
SMILING faces beamed out from the town's Lido Park last Tuesday when the circus came to Droitwich Spa. More than a hundred people turned out for the fun event, which was organised by Wychavon District Council. During the day youngsters and adults alike
SPA residents could face a contaminated drinking water supply if an appeal to dump waste in a quarry site near the town is given the green light. Biffa Waste Services applied for a tipping licence for domestic and light industrial rubbish last year, but
PARENTS who would like a little help looking after their children are being offered the hand of friendship, thanks to a Droitwich-based charity. But now the organisation, called Home-Start, is looking for more patient volunteers to allow them to expand
A DROITWICH children's care centre will be providing an increased range of services for the wider community. WANDS, which is on the Westlands estate, will be opening up some of its services to families with children at Westlands and Chawson First School
DROITWICH Spa lido has been included in a book which charts the development and use of such facilities across the country. Liquid Assets: The Lidos and Open Air Swimming Pools of Britain traces the history of many lidos, from their predecessors in the
HOME, away (Southern League Division One West fixtures unless stated) JULY Wed 13 KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS (friendly) 2-4 (Blakemore, Hadland). Sat 16 HEDNESFORD TOWN 0-3 (friendly). Tue 19 MOOR GREEN 0-1 (friendly). Sat 23 BRISTOL ROVERS 3-4 (friendly)
BROMSGROVE and Redditch Athletic Club's juniors performed well to finish second in the final Young Athletes League in Bath. Sprinter Jade Peake was one of the stars of the show for the team, which had been depleted by holidays, and was named athlete of
BROMSGROVE Golf Club's Richard Yip won the regional final of the Queen Mother Cup to book his place in the finals in Portugal. Yip won the regional decider, which was held at Celtic Manor Golf, with a stableford score of 34. He will now move onto to the
GIFTED Gaudet Luce member Nicci Jordan has booked her place in the grand final of a national tournament. The Droitwich resident, aged 20, won the regional round of the Queen Mother Cup, which was held at Celtic Manor Golf Club. Now the clubhouse assistant
EASTNOR Castle is this week hosting its 10th annual Children's Fun Week. More than 10,000 youngsters and their parents are expected to visit the 19th Century castle, near Ledbury, for activities and entertainment, including a giant inflatable assault
Doctors take two weeks to diagnose broken arm A HOLLYWOOD mum is furious that doctors at the Alexandra Hospital took almost two weeks to diagnose her six-year-old daughter's broken arm. Sue Wing-Crudgington is also angry that at no time during the 13-
GUESTS at an engagement party in Redditch enjoyed a taste of the exotic when the groom-to-be performed an astonishing Fijian fire-dance. Mekatoa Pieri dazzled spectators at the garden party in Marshfield Close, Church Hill, as he juggled with fire to
MEMBERS of the Redditch branch of the Parachute Regimental Association will be travelling to France thanks to the Big Lottery Fund to commemorate those who died in the Second World War. The 48-strong group will travel to Normandy on September 8 and meet
REDDITCH residents will be given the chance to choose their own council homes as part of a major turn-about, seeing them take the "residential reins". The choice-based letting scheme, discussed at Redditch Council's housing advisory panel last week, means
MORE than 5,000 revellers spilled onto the streets of Wythall for Sunday's annual carnival and classic car show. A dog show and performances by the village's Youth Theatre Group, Silver Shadow Majorettes and Lyntone Disco Dancers entertained the crowds
REDDITCH police met with the town's black community to allay fears after the recent death of an Abbeydale man found in Arrow Valley Lake last week. At the meeting on Thursday police aimed to provide reassurance and respond to concerns about the unexplained
SUN Valley Foods is to sponsor Hereford United for the 14th year running - in what is thought to be one of the longest sponsorships of a football club on record. The company's relationship with the Bulls was first embarked upon in 1991 and has been part
A GROWING public relations agency, based in Worcester, has appointed a new account manager to handle its portfolio of clients. Marketing graduate Lee Southen joins Whitefoot-Forward PR following his post as press officer for the Townswomen's Guild. Michelle
PLANS for a 100-bedroom budget hotel and 84 houses and flats in Redditch town centre were discussed by councillors last night - and it looked as if they might finally get the green light. Redditch Council's planning committee once again considered the
A WORCESTER man has become the jewel in the crown of a top retail body. Richard Peplow, of Peplow jewellers in High Street, has been named president of the Retail Jewellers Association. He was given the president's badge at a special ceremony in the House
A HOLLYWOOD man will make an emotional return to Taiwan where, as a Royal Navy stoker, he witnessed the surrender of Japanese troops, heralding the end of the Second World War. Sam Pearsall, 79, is making the trip thanks to the Big Lottery Fund's Heroes
AN inquest into the death of a 70-year-old Lodge Park woman who died in the Alexandra Hospital following a road traffic collision was opened yesterday. Josephine Smith died on Monday August 8, after the black Ford Fiesta she was driving collided with
WITH reference to the letter about a former Rover employee of 62 being employed by the Plumb Centre, it's good to see one business disregarding age in employing John. I wish all businesses would follow their example. I, at 54, find it hard to get a job
I RECENTLY had occasion to make a purchase at the Currys store opposite Halfords and next door to Wickes. I could not believe the disgusting state of the area around these three stores. There is litter, bottles, cans and various other rubbish on both
I WOULD like to thank Redditch United Football Club for their fantastic support on July 31 when they hosted a football match in memory of our former colleague, David McKinley. The fundraising activities for this event, together with a substantial donation
WITH regard to the report of poor performance at the Alexandra Hospital breast care clinic (Advertiser, July 27). I attended my doctor's about a lump on December 24, 2004. I received an appointment on the same day to attend the clinic on December 30.
I WRITE regarding rat run safety (Letters, August 10). Another service that does nothing about traffic volume is the Traffic Commissioner's Office in Birmingham, would you believe? I daresay they have policies too. When a Goods Vehicle Operators Licence
ONE person died and another was seriously injured when the lorries they were driving veered across four lanes of the M5 in Worcester before crashing into an embankment. The accident, which took place at about 2.30pm yesterday afternoon, closed the road
VISITORS were flocking to the Jinney Ring Craft Centre at Hanbury which had recently opened in a renovated 200-year old barn. Most of the work had been carried out by former Herefordshire farmers, Richard and Jenny Greatwood. DENNIS and Ivy Bromley at
THE Midland 'Red's' modern new 44-seater single deck busses would soon be seen on roads in Bromsgrove and Droitwich. The lighweight vehicles with plastic body panels, all rubber suspension and automatic transmission were being added to the company's fleet
A Worcester woman living in Cyprus has spoken of her ordeal after she thought that her husband might have been on the plane which crashed near Athens on Sunday. Melanie Hall had left Max, aged 30, at Larnaca airport at 12.45am so he could return to England
THE speaker in August was Brian White talking about scented pelargoniums. He was born in a mining village near Tamworth and left school at 14 to go down the mine. After a while he got a job as a salesman for an agricultural company, during which time
MEMBERS enjoyed a talk about the National Memorial Arboretum, in Alrewas near Lichfield. It has been created on a 150-acre site and is within the National Forest on land gifted by Lafarge Aggregates Ltd. The site is a living and lasting focus of remembrance
THREE affiliate members were welcomed to the August meeting and it was announced Mary Payton would be taking over the duties of speaker secretary from Peter Sylvester. Speaker for the afternoon, Paddy O'Brien, was introduced after Derek Spencer's monthly
IN July, a group of members enjoyed an evening visit to the beautiful Collegiate Church of St Mary in the heart of Warwick. Thanks go to Ms Anais Cooper of the parish office who arranged for the church to be specially opened and for expert guides to take
BROMSGROVE Rovers manager Jimmy Mullen has vowed to find the solution to his side's lack of firepower. Rovers have made a strong start to the Southern League Division One West, after beating Beaconsfield SYCOB and drawing with Sutton Coldfield Town. However
A TOP in-line skater from Droitwich returned from America with two medals. MEDAL WINNER: Jack Clarkson, aged 15, won silver and bronze medals with Great Britain. Jack Clarkson, aged 15, was Great Britain under-14's top scorer as the national team won
FANS of country and western music can pack a picnic and enjoy a free concert in Stourport-on-Severn on Sunday. A festival featuring music from Dave Sheriff, Welsh country and western dance band Closing Time, and Country Code, will be held at Stourport
SNAKE man and television celebrity Mark O'Shea has slithered back into the spotlight at West Midland Safari Park to introduce some weird and wonderful reptiles. Mark - who is consultant curator of reptiles at the Bewdley-based park - is presenting four
TOP musicians hit the high note at a summer school in Bromsgrove. The National Brass Band event took place at Bromsgrove School with a hundred players joining in from all over the country and overseas. Internationally acclaimed conductor Richard Evans
A Worcester church will soon see people sipping coffee and contorting themselves into yoga positions after a £100,000 revamp. The refurbishment will enable the 12th Century St John's Church, in Bromyard Road, to host events as diverse as coffee mornings
TODAY there will be a host of events to keep the whole family entertained as part of the Worcester Festival. Kings of cockney rock and roll, Chas and Dave will bring their witty songs about life in London to an audience at Huntingdon Hall. The pair's
GRRR-EAT stuff... a Worcestershire charity that supports bereaved children and their parents has been given £500. The money was donated by Sporting Bears Motor Club, an national organisation made up of classic and sports car enthusiasts, which raises
FIXTURES Harvey World Travel Midland Football Alliance Saturday, August 20, Tipton Town v Malvern Town (3.00). Tuesday, August 23, Malvern Town v Stourbridge (7.45). Saturday, August 27, FA Cup, Malvern Town v Mickleover Sports (3.00). Monday, August
WHEN a group of cheerleaders witness a brutal murder they are forced into hiding to keep safe before the time comes for them to give evidence in court. Given the dubious task of protecting the girls is Texas ranger Roland Sharp (Tommy Lee Jones) who has
TRAILERS for The Island inform audiences that it is "from the makers of Pearl Harbour" - not a great selling point, I'm sure you will agree, because that film was stinker. No doubt cinemagoers were turned off in their droves because of this piece of marketing
For those who haven't been taking much notice, it seems donkeys since we last heard from the brothers Reid. You wouldn't have been surprised if you had found them working in a petrol station by now, or maybe an accountancy firm. However, they have been
I WAS thrilled to have the chance to watch Tarzan 2 after being thoroughly delighted with Disney's first instalment of the original classic story. However, don't expect (as I did) to see what happens to Tarzan and Jane - with scatty father in toe - as
Thursday August 18 Film: Sin City, 18, Artrix, School Drive, Bromsgrove, 7.45pm. Show: Bromsgrove and District Flower Arrangement Society, All Saint's Church Hall Burcot Lane, Bromsgrove. 2.30pm. Clown: Clown Peteza, bandstand, Sanders Park, off Kidderminster
STEPHEN Peters was in excellent touch today as Worcestershire made positive strides towards Somerset's 318 in the Frizzell County Championship. Despite the loss of Stephen Moore for 28, the County encountered no further problems in reaching 93-1 after
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers were struck on the counter-attack as they lost their first away game of the season 1-0 at Exeter City last night. Stuart Watkiss' side, on the back of Saturday's 2-1 win over Woking, had plenty of the play against one of the Nationwide
HEREFORD United fell to their first Nationwide Conference defeat with a 2-1 loss at Cambridge United last night. Guy Ipoua hauled the Bulls level in the second-half but they failed to build on Saturday's 4-0 thrashing of Scarborough. Some of Hereford's
FORMER Worcester City favourite Mark Owen could not inspire Malvern Town to victory on his debut. Owen played up front in last night's Midland Alliance game at Stratford Town which the visitors lost 1-0. But Malvern enjoyed plenty of possession and dominated
* (I) indicates Internet entries. Each of the following won a pair of tickets to the Memorabilia Show at the NEC on August 13/14: L Badsey, Warwick Street, Stourport; A Clayton, Manor Road, Eckington (I); C. Darkes, Marlpool Lane, Kidderminster; MJ Harrison
BARNT Green CC captain Richard Illingworth has urged his players to go into one of the biggest games of their lives with a winning mentality. The Green battle Sussex side Horsham at Lord's in the National Knockout Cup Final on Tuesday, August 23 (11am
Old Hill 216-9 Barnt Green 140 all out Graham Williamson Trophy final Barnt Green lost by 76 runs BARNT Green's dominance of the Graham Williamson Trophy came to an end as Old Hill put them to the sword on Sunday. Green's amazing 11 match winning sequence
TOP musicians hit the high note at a summer school in Bromsgrove. The National Brass Band event took place at Bromsgrove School with a hundred players joining in from all over the country and overseas. Internationally acclaimed conductor Richard Evans
OPERA fans are set for a treat in Tardebigge on Sunday, when one of the world's best young tenors performs. Kennedy, who scooped the Rosenblatt Song prize in Cardiff in June, will perform Songs of Eternity and Sorrow at Tardebigge church (3pm start).
Sexy senoritas and wannabe Latin lovers will have the chance to feel the passion and rhythm of the salsa in Bromsgrove. European female amateur champion and top quality international dance teacher Joanne Treagus is set to bring her Salsa Red team of instructors
For those who haven't been taking much notice, it seems donkeys since we last heard from the brothers Reid. You wouldn't have been surprised if you had found them working in a petrol station by now, or maybe an accountancy firm. However, they have been
