Wednesday September 7 Exhibition: Free Fiona, Artrix, School Drive, Bromsgrove. Workshop: Trees in Watercolour, Redditch Art Circle, St Luke's Memorial Hall, Headless Cross, Redditch, 7.30pm. Live Wyres Social Singles, New Inns, Ombersley Road, Worcester
A NEW play about a bomb disposal expert coming to the end of his career opens at Malvern's Festival Theatre from Monday. Written by Terry Mackay, National Hero premiered at this year's Edinburgh Festival and will transfer to the West End following its
TICKETS are on sale for two charity concerts next month, when Andrew Weekes sings and plays the songs of Elton John. Hits such as Crocodile Rock and Candle In The Wind will feature, with all proceeds going to charity. The concerts are at Birmingham's
KINGSLEY Theatre, in Woodrow Drive, hosts its second Friday night jazz session this week when Dukes Jazz Group takes centre stage. The five-piece comprise Roy Custerson on piano, Clive Skinner on trumpet and flugel horn, Roger Battersea on drums, bass
THEATRE lovers are being sought by a local amateur dramatic society to be involved in front and behind the curtain. Alvechurch Dramatic Society has organised a new members evening for tomorrow night at Alvechurch Village Hall Chris Davies, spokesman for
A RUBERY gym will be hosting a betting afternoon to raise funds for Breast Cancer Research. Greens health club in Rubery will hold the event on Friday September 9 between 12pm and 4pm. Entry costs £5 including afternoon tea. Visitors can bet on horse
MORE than 300 leading exhibitors and thousands of collectors of all things small will once more be heading for Birmingham's NEC and the Miniatura Dolls' House Show on September 17 and 18. Since the first show in 1983, this bi-annual event has made Birmingham
THE history book pages will spring to life as visitors are transported back to a different century at the Black Country Living Museum's living history weekend on Saturday, September 17 and Sunday, September 18. The Friends of the Museum group bring to
WHAT single girl worth her weight in Prada handbags doesn't dream of being rescued by a knight in shining armour? Someone to rescue you from that wicked stepmother or, in Lisa's (Rachel McAdams) case, buy you cocktails to quell your pre-flight nerves
MALVERN Theatres delivers another spectacularly polished performance with Henry James' 19th century classic, Daisy Miller. Scarlett Johnson stars as the fresh-faced, innocent Daisy Miller, whose "unladylike" zest for life and learning meets with shock
FOR people still suffering nightmares after watching the original American version, the release of this sequel was probably met with a half excited/half apprehensive feeling. Sadly, those feelings are wasted as The Ring Two is a weak, non-scary attempt
STRIKER Dean Curtis has left Bromsgrove Rovers for AFC Telford. Curtis opted to join the Shropshire side on Monday night. Curtis, aged 19, had scored three goals for the club already since he came from Sutton in the summer. His strike partner Chris Smith
A HISTORICAL research group is offering county people the opportunity to visit the site of a famous charge involving the Worcestershire Regiment. The battle of Gheluvelt on Saturday, October 31, 1914 was a decisive action that shored up the shattered
A MAN who died in a three-car road accident in Bewdley has been named as 60-year-old Geoffrey Perks, from Ludlow. Mr Perks, the driver of a green BMW, died at the scene of the crash, which happened at about 11.25am on Sunday, on the A456 Bewdley bypass
IF wedding bells are set to be ringing in the not too distant future, brides and bridegrooms-to-be can ensure they have everything they need to make their big day the best of their lives at the Fownes Hotel on Sunday. The Worcester News' fourth Wedding
LONG standing resident band Fairfield will be performing at Bromsgrove Folk Club tomorrow (Thurs Sep 8). The group has been in existence for some 35 years but still has founder members, Mac Rawlins and Bob Bignell, who have been in the band for nearly
A GROUP examining Romany culture is appealing for helping in tracing details, records or photos of a former gypsy church on the common in Hartlebury, near Stourport-on-Severn. The Hereford-based Romany Organisation for Creative and Cultural Activities
LEGENDARY international singing star Dionne Warwick returns to Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre next Tuesday. The last time she was there her concert was a sell-out in 2003, with the show receiving rave reviews. For this special evening Dionne will be performing
IRRESPONSIBLE pranksters who threw objects at cars from a footbridge could have killed someone, police have warned. Three children, thought to be aged between 11 and 14 years old, were seen on the footbridge that crosses the A4440 Hams Way, near the roundabout
PARENTS and carers could be missing out on an opportunity to save for their child's future. Wychavon District Council has asked parents who have so far taken no action with their children's Child Trust Fund money to make sure they invest now. The Government
WORCESTER'S proud and ancient Guildhall in the High Street has come roaring into the 21st century with the installation of a £660,000 lift. The lift, which can hold up to 10 people, became fully operational in the past week and was installed to enable
DESPITE thousands of Worcestershire schoolchildren being taught in mobile classrooms, a leading county councillor says 'we should not get too hung up on physical structures.' Coun Liz Eyre said mobiles were 'not like the ghastly buildings' people remembered
STUDENTS from colleges across Worcestershire were presented with certificates at the University of Worcester to mark their educational achievements on Access and Foundation courses. Worcester MP Mike Foster, gave awards to more than 60 students, and praised
A COUPLE involved in a near-fatal accident near Kyre have claimed there will need to be a "human sacrifice" before action is taken to improve safety. Fiona Lorimer and her boyfriend Simon Aylward, who were on holiday near Knighton, feared they would die
LITTLE monkeys are being invited to swing along to the sound of music with brand new classes in Alcester. Pre-school music group Monkey Music will be held at the Greig Centre, Kinwarton Road, from Friday, September 16, run by Claire Haydock. Telephone
ALCESTER was basking in golden sunshine and success at last week's divisional Britain in Bloom event. Town In Bloom chairman Maggie Payne said the joyous atmosphere was infectious at Saturday's event, which took part at Trentham in Staffordshire and saw
BIDFORD's long-awaited live music event has been axed - just one week before it was scheduled to take place. Major outdoor festival Bidfest '05 was set to take place on Saturday in Big Meadow, featuring bands, poetry and comedy. But despite months of
Theatre review - You Never Can Tell, Festival Theatre, Malvern (until Saturday) DELIGHTFUL in parts, dull at times and definitely dated, but nevertheless this is still an enjoyable night out. It's a classic comedy with Bernard Shaw's witty observations
A 63-YEAR-old Studley man has been banned from making bogus and abusive phone calls to the emergency services. Terence Banner, of Allen Close, was issued with a Criminal Antisocial Behaviour Order (CRASBO) after being found guilty of falsely calling out
HOLLYWOOD residents had to be evacuated from their homes after fire ripped through a nearby building company. A number of gas cylinders stored at Wythall Roofing Centre, The Fordrough, exploded in Wednesday's blaze at about 1am. Fire fighters from eight
STRIKER Dean Curtis has left Bromsgrove Rovers for AFC Telford. Curtis opted to join the Shropshire side on Monday night. Curtis, aged 19, had scored three goals for the club already since he came from Sutton in the summer. His strike partner Chris Smith
Those of us who work in the media are under no illusion about the depths to which human conduct can sink. Day after day, we chronicle the affairs of Mankind and much of it makes depressing reading. But even in an age when the excesses of extremism dominate
SHARON Tonks saw her Commonwealth Games hopes end in tatters as she failed to secure the time needed to land a place in Melbourne. The Redditch & Bromsgrove AC race walker needed a top three place and a time of 65 minutes at the weekend's 20km trial
HOUSEWIVES in Redd-itch have dropped evening classes in favour of night jobs to boost the family income. That is the interpretation put on the response to arty-style evening classes by Redditch College bosses. Vice principal Mr Peter Woollacott admits
Wednesday September 7 Exhibition: Free Fiona, Artrix, School Drive, Bromsgrove. Workshop: Trees in Watercolour, Redditch Art Circle, St Luke's Memorial Hall, Headless Cross, Redditch, 7.30pm. Live Wyres Social Singles, New Inns, Ombersley Road, Worcester
Redditch VC made a dazzling start to the new season with a 10-1 victory over visitors Hereford Ladies. And it was the perfect start for Jenny Worthington who grabbed the headlines with a six-goal haul. Redditch started strongly with Worthington and Kate
WARRIORS prop Lee Fortey could be back sooner than expected after it emerged that he may not require an operation on his dislocated shoulder. Fortey will today be assessed by the surgeon who helped the 17-stone star recover from a previous tear in the
HOW long must a hen sit on her eggs before her chicks hatch? What two crops make flour, and which nursery would the vicar visit? Mums, dads, and little ones visiting this month's Malvern Autumn Garden and Country Show from Saturday, September 24, to Sunday
Cotswold Hills League BIDFORD'S Andy Pickles was the star of the shock as he struck an unbeaten century to save his Division One side from the drop. Lying in the second relegation spot before their game with already doomed Stratford, Bidford had to win
Cotswold Hills League ALCESTER & Ragley won the inaugural Tom Pidgeon Memorial Fund six-a-side tournament at Kineton on Sunday. They beat all three teams in their group - Kineton, Shipston and Claverdon - to move into the final against the Tom Pidgeon
WORCESTERSHIRE lost three crucial wickets today in the opening session of their Frizzell County Championship promotion clash against Yorkshire. Openers Stephen Moore and Chris Gayle perished in their twenties at Headingley, while Graeme Hick continued
WARRIORS prop Lee Fortey could be back sooner than expected after it emerged that he may not require an operation on his dislocated shoulder. Fortey will today be assessed by the surgeon who helped the 17-stone star recover from a previous tear in the
MIDFIELD prospect Simon Heslop is a doubt as Stuart Watkiss looks for big improvements in Kidderminster Harriers' toughest test yet. They head to early Nationwide Conference leaders Grays Athletic, unbeaten in the first six games, on Saturday with Watkiss
WORCESTER Athletic Club shone with a double triumph at the Midland Vets Track and Field Cup final staged at Nunnery Wood Sports Complex. The men's team rounded off their season with a comprehensive 'A' final victory in the prestigious competition at their
A NEW play about a bomb disposal expert coming to the end of his career opens at Malvern's Festival Theatre from Monday. Written by Terry Mackay, National Hero premiered at this year's Edinburgh Festival and will transfer to the West End following its
THE magic of Motown pulls into the Alexandra Theatre in Birmingahm when A-American Dream (pictured) pay tribute to the music of the Motown era including The Four Tops and The Temptations on Friday. The Motown Show is one hundred per cent live, with no
Water Orton 211-8 Bromsgrove 214-7 Bromsgrove won by three wickets BROMSGROVE continued their great escape as they edged towards mid-table safety in the Birmingham and District League Division One, after an crucial victory over Water Orton Saturday. Victory
Stourbridge 124 all out Ombersley 128-1 Omberlsey won by nine wickets OMBERSLEY sealed the Worcestershire County League Division One Championship on Saturday with a thumping victory over relegated Stourbridge. Victory ensured that Ombersley, who have
SKIPPER Matty Clarke has pleaded with Redditch United manager Rod Brown to bury the hatchet and let him return to the club. The former Telford and Hereford United defender was sacked by the Reds boss last week following a training ground bust-up but still
BRILLIANT Billy Gill steered Cookhill to victory at the weekend securing the Cotswold Hills League Division Six title at the same time. The Ridgeway side needed at least 19 points from their match at Claverdon II but Gill's incredible 193 all out ensured
KINGSLEY Theatre, in Woodrow Drive, hosts its second Friday night jazz session this week when Dukes Jazz Group takes centre stage. The five-piece comprise Roy Custerson on piano, Clive Skinner on trumpet and flugel horn, Roger Battersea on drums, bass
I FEEL it is time now that all the people directly affected by the MG/Rover collapse, should just 'get over it.' Every time I pick up the paper, there is someone going on about how unfair it is or we should help former workers find jobs. Well I know it
I COULDN'T agree more with Mr. L Reynolds of Marlbrook. Shouldn't Bromsgrove District Council be concentrating on improving the bus service to Bromsgrove (not just the bus station) and providing more facilities for young people in the town instead of
I AM disgusted by Mr Castleford's recent attack on deputy mayor Kate Spencer. She is a dutiful and loyal wife, supporting husband Terry in his demanding role as Wychavon executive board member for Droitwich. Without their mutual efforts at town and and
AVONCROFT CC's first team clinched the championship on Saturday when they drew with Old Vigornians. The winning draw was enough to ensure that 'Croft sealed the Worcestershire County League Division Three title. The first team's success completed the
Bromsgrove Rovers 0 Swindon Supermarine 2 Southern League Division One West LACKLUSTRE Rovers were left to rue an error-strewn display as they suffered their first home defeat in the Southern League Division One West on Saturday. Despite a flurry of second
Fairfield Villa 2 Polesworth North Warwick 1 DANNY Williams scored after 35 seconds as Fairfield continued to set the pace in the Midland Combination Division One on Saturday. Williams took advantage of some slack defending by Polesworth to put his side
Continental Star 0 Droitwich Spa 0 DROITWICH Spa grabbed their first points of the season in the Midland Combination Division Two on Saturday. Manager Tom Goss was pleased that his side had continued to improve, after a poor start to the season. He said
Droitwich Spa Reserves 7 Bolehall Swift Reserves 1 Droitwich Spa Reserves posted their first points of the season with a resounding victory over Bolehall on Saturday in the Midland Combination Division Three. Despite Swifts taking an early lead Spa stepped
GOALSCORERS 3 - Hadland, Curtis. 2 - Smith. 1 - Banner, Collins, Johnson, Dyer. ADVERTISER/MESSENGER MAN OF THE MATCH 3 - Male 1 - Hadland 1 - Dyer 1 - Johnson 1 - Evans Up to and including Tuesday, August 23, 2005.
I DIDN'T think anything could surprise me about MG Rover as it had been well documented. But the fact that this Goverment has allowed the Chinese management of this company - now called Nanjing, to bring into this country 400 Chinese workers who they
MIDFIELD prospect Simon Heslop is a doubt as Stuart Watkiss looks for big improvements in Kidderminster Harriers' toughest test yet. They head to early Nationwide Conference leaders Grays Athletic, unbeaten in the first six games, on Saturday with Watkiss
THREE Black Country artists are set to bring fun, laughter and music to a Droitwich Spa stage. Doug Parker, Maggie O'Hara and Russ Styler bring A Black Country Night Show to the Norbury Theatre on Friday, September 16. Comedian Parker provides good clean
ALL in all, this has not been my happiest week as Worcester City manager -- I would prefer to forget about it. It started with Barry Woolley leaving us to join Hinckley United, then it was the same old story on Saturday with individual mistakes costing
I AM very much in favour of the new Worcester Express Bus Service, but, yet again, it seems like the local council has forgot about the west side of Worcester where the bus service needs a revamp. I often see these park-and-ride buses that route around
STUDLEY manager Kevin Rowlands faces a selection headache ahead of this weekend's clash with Barwell ... too many players! Injuries and suspensions had been the problem for the Bees boss just a few weeks ago but now he is delighted to have players back
REDDITCH manager Rod Brown admitted he could be forced to bring in another player after seeing his side suffer their fourth straight defeat. "We have a lot of nice players but maybe we are lacking a few characters - the kind of players like Sean Flynn
CONSISTENCY is the key to a successful season in the Midland Alliance. That's the message from Alvechurch manager Peter Frain after seeing his side romp to a 3-1 win at home to Oadby Town on Saturday. "There is so little to choose between the teams in
A GREENFINGERED youngster is reaching for the skies with her gardening skills. Six-year-old Candy Lockett, of Fairfield Road, Bournheath, planted sunflower seeds with the help of her grandad, Ivan Gough, who lives in nearby Dodford Road. The pair put
RYAN Field struck a second half double to take Feckenham through to the next round of the Endsleigh Challenge Cup. But Millers boss Lee Adams picked out fit again Andy Johnson as the star of the show as the Mill Lane side claimed a 2-1 win at Alveston
A STRAY cat, which was found in Bromsgrove, put its nine lives in its own paws after making a ten-mile trek back to the town. Mozart the cat was taken to Evesham Cat Protection by Jennifer Dawes and husband John three months ago after he had been regularly
THE future of Bromsgrove's multi-million pound performance venue has taken a turn for the better after an attendance boost. Just two weeks after a report in the Advertiser/Messenger about the troubled Artrix centre, in School Drive, staff have seen a
SMILEY faces were painted at a Spa nursery on Thursday to mark an open day for prospective parents. Mums and dads looking for a pre-school place for their little ones were invited to the day, at Safehands Nursery, on Old Coach Road, where the children
A MULTI-CULTURAL picnic, aimed at encouraging more ethnic minorities to visit the countryside, is taking place this Saturday in Rubery. The event will be held at Waseley Hills Country Park and crowds of people are expected to attend. Worcestershire County
NAUGHTY nurses and dirty doctors put a sexy twist on fundraising activities at a Spa office on Friday. The up-for-it staff at GE Money Lending Solutions, on Berry Hill Industrial Estate, had a giggle dressing up as raunchy members of the health profession
TWO benches, shamelessly stolen from an old people's home in Bromsgrove, have mysteriously reappeared after an appeal in last week's Advertiser/Messenger. The iron and wooden benches were taken from Lowes Court sheltered accommodation for the elderly.
A GAY Cutnall Green couple have vowed to tie the knot when new legislation comes in at the end of the year. David Smith and Lee Morton of Cutnall Green Post Office and Stores, received support from the Bishop of Worcester, the Right Reverend Dr Peter
SPA MP Peter Luff showed his support for local shops when he visited a Chawson store. A store visit was set up by the Association of Convenience Stores for Mr Luff to go to the Spar shop, in Blake Avenue. There he heard about issues including the Licensing
WHAT single girl worth her weight in Prada handbags doesn't dream of being rescued by a knight in shining armour? Someone to rescue you from that wicked stepmother or, in Lisa's (Rachel McAdams) case, buy you cocktails to quell your pre-flight nerves
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)
THERE'S not a great deal to write "back home" about this latest Clapton album, which encapsulates in a nutshell the sound of a man treading water in the shallow end - something he has been doing for 30 years or more. The words "middle-of-the-road adult-orientated
HANDS up those who sneered at McFly when they first burst onto the music scene with Five Colours In Her Hair for being a second-rate Busted? Be prepared to eat your words. Since Charlie Simpson and his overgrown eyebrows left Busted in pursuit of a more
PUFFBALL skirts, colossal shoulder pads and iridescent suits. As if you needed anymore proof that the 1980s were a fashion disaster then The Business is it. Set in Thatcher's decade of decadence, when mobile phones were chunkier than Simon Le Bon's waistline
MALVERN Theatres delivers another spectacularly polished performance with Henry James' 19th century classic, Daisy Miller. Scarlett Johnson stars as the fresh-faced, innocent Daisy Miller, whose "unladylike" zest for life and learning meets with shock
Everything in the garden was lovely for Redditch MP Jacqui Smith when she joined Pitcheroak School headteacher Bob Prince and pupils Mark Stevens and Kierran Storey in their new green oasis. The Willow Way school has transformed an area of land into a
JACQUI Smith MP returned to the classroom last week to highlight the fact that 100 million children worldwide receive no education. Ms Smith was at Pitcheroak School to talk to the pupils about the 'Send My Friend to School' campaign being organised by
GOVERNORS at two Church Hill schools which survived the Redditch Review are now requesting a merger - or face closure following a dramatic drop in pupil numbers. Governors at Marlfield Farm and Ravensbank first schools have approached Worcestershire County
AN elderly man held a white cloth over his face as he indecently exposed himself to two teenage girls at Arrow Valley Park. Redditch police are hunting for the white man in his sixties, who was hidden in bushes near the basketball courts at the south
A REDDITCH man looking for love on the internet found himself hotly pursued - by a television company. Wiccan High Priest Christopher Habgood, of Lygon Close, Abbeydale, was approached by the BBC two years after placing an advertisement for a spiritual
A MOTHER has warned young people to be vigilant after a taxi driver tried to indecently assault her teenage daughter. Police are now investigating the incident and say the victim was very distressed. The girl and her friend took a taxi home from Redditch
HOUSE hunters struggling to finance that first step onto the property ladder can now take a chance and win a £250,000 dream home in Studley - all for a £25 stake. Redditch couple Rachael and Matt Speirs launched their new company, win-this-house.com,
ALL things bright and beautiful filled Feckenham Village Hall at its annual autumn flower festival on Saturday. Scores of residents flocked to the High Street venue to see the colourful exhibitions of fruit, flowers and vegetables, and enjoy a delicious
NEW College is set to add a £1 million sports hall to its Peakman Street campus. The college has applied for permission to build the sports centre on the corner of Easemore Road and Archer Road. The Victorian Z-Block located on the site would be demolished
AN old-fashioned Bill of Mortality is being issued to all Redditch councillors to help reduce the number of people killed by smoking. And it shows that last year, one fifth of the deaths in the town were directly linked to the evil weed. Town Primary
FIVE men - including two from Redditch - have denied conspiracy to handle stolen vehicles as part of an 18-month car-ringing scam. Patrick Behan, 50, of Badgerbrook Lane, Astwood Bank, and Paul Mason, 40, of Studley Road, Redditch, both denied the charges
HUNDREDS of people gathered at the Ecumenical Centre in Redditch to say their final farewells to a town stalwart who died recently. Walter Stranz, 81, a former mayor, Labour town and county councillor and the only man to be made Freeman of the Borough
A DRIVE to inspire youngsters to take an interest in local democracy will be held in Redditch schools this autumn. Conservative Councillor Juliet Brunner is organising a series of events at schools across the town to coincide with Local Democracy Week
STUDLEY folk are being urged to ensure they report anti-social behaviour to police after fears some incidents are going unrecorded. Village district councillor Hazel Wright said residents who experience nuisance behaviour should report it immediately
Services slip FIRMS in the service sector were increasingly pessimistic about the future because of the economic slowdown, according to a new report. A survey by the CBI showed that hotels, cinemas and tour operators only enjoyed modest growth in recent
A TRIO of Studley youths accused of robbing a south Warwickshire taxi driver earlier this year have appeared in the dock at Warwick Crown Court. The case of David O'Brien, Damien Day and Mark Morris was listed for a preliminary hearing after they had
HOSPITAL Radio Pulse is looking forward to a brighter future thanks to a wealth of generous donations now totalling almost £5,000. Organisers at the popular Alexandra Hospital-based radio station say they have been astounded by the response to their appeal
BUSINESS leaders in the two counties have found themselves in the unusual position of not calling for a cut in interest rates - even though the economy is still in a slump. Economics experts expect the Bank of England to hold fire on any adjustments when
REDDITCH road chiefs have failed to replace all the drain covers stolen in a recent spate of thefts, leaving them dangerously exposed to pedestrians and motorists. Some drains in Loxley Close, Church Hill, were still exposed on Sunday night, two weeks
A SEX attack on a woman playing pool led to violence at a Redditch pub. Kurt Concannon stroked the victim's bottom and asked her name, said Wendy Miller, prosecuting at Worcester Crown Court. Three of his friends then began an affray at the Foxlydiate
GLOBAL warming may be the reason behind some new visitors which have recently made an appearance at Arrow Valley Lake in Redditch. Earlier this month a group of naturalists - the Worcestershire Recorders - armed with notebooks, identification guides,
IT was something of a shock at the planning meeting on August 16 when members of the public called out that they could not hear the speaker. The chairman, Councillor Nigel Hicks, roared loudly at the public speakers not once but three times not to interrupt
YOU published a letter recently about the danger for horse riders from motorists who use Green Lane, Webheath. I too contacted Redditch Council in April to report that no horse and rider signs were placed near four bridleways that lead onto the B4090
BROMSGROVE was given a top priority rating for a five figure Sports Council grant towards the new community sports centre under consideration. District councillors were expected to be told that a 50 per cent grant would be available for the building,
THE appearance of toadstools and mushrooms was often unexpected and a photo in The Messenger illustrated this point. A fine specimen had emerged from the wooden anvil block in John Martin's smithy in Churchfields, Bromsgrove. The fungus was typical in
I WROTE several weeks ago to tell you about the sneak thieves who stole two of our charity boxes from a local store. However, our charity has been considerably heartened by two recent collections. We raised £545 in one day outside Tesco and last Friday
A SERIOUS trap accident occurred when boy Thomas Barley was driving a pony and a fishmonger's cart down New Road when the animals shied at a steamroller that was at work on the road. The pony bolted down the hill towards High Street. In its course it
WORCESTER Gilbert and Sullivan Society will be presenting 'Iolanthe' at the Swan Theatre from Tuesday September 20. Evening performances start at 7.30pm with a Saturday matinee show at 2.30pm. A full orchestra will be on show for guests with tickets costing
LONG standing resident band Fairfield will be performing at Bromsgrove Folk Club tomorrow (Thurs Sep 8). The group has been in existence for some 35 years but still has founder members, Mac Rawlins and Bob Bignell, who have been in the band for nearly
LEGENDARY international singing star Dionne Warwick returns to Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre next Tuesday. The last time she was there her concert was a sell-out in 2003, with the show receiving rave reviews. For this special evening Dionne will be performing
Theatre review - You Never Can Tell, Festival Theatre, Malvern (until Saturday) DELIGHTFUL in parts, dull at times and definitely dated, but nevertheless this is still an enjoyable night out. It's a classic comedy with Bernard Shaw's witty observations
Film Review - Red Eye at the UGC, Great Park, Rubery AFTER a chance meeting at check-in of their delayed Miami flight, hotel manager Lisa Reisert (Rachel McAdams) and Jackson Ripper (Cillian Murphy) find themselves sharing flirty conversation and a drink
Thursday, September 8 Pam Ayres, Artrix Theatre, Bromsgrove. Tickets from 577330. Lizzie Wiggins' Variety Music Hall, Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham. Tickets from 0870 607 7544. As You Like It/Comedy of Errors/Twelfth Night/A Midsummer Night's Dream, Royal
THE magic of Motown pulls into the Alexandra Theatre in Birmingahm when A-American Dream (pictured) pay tribute to the music of the Motown era including The Four Tops and The Temptations on Friday. The Motown Show is one hundred per cent live, with no
"POET for the people" Pam Ayres appears at Bromsgrove's Artrix Theatre tomorrow as part of her 30th anniversary tour. Her solo show They Should Have Asked My Husband marks 30 years since Pam first appeared on TV's Opportunity Knocks and promises to be
ONE of the world's most acclaimed dance companies, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, is coming to the Birmingham Hippodrome next week. The company, who perform at the Hippodrome on Tuesday, September 13 and Wednesday, September 14, is renowned for
A BROMSGROVE artist has been given the honour of kicking off the Artrix's autumn programme by displaying her innovative work. Tamar Whyte, from Burcot Lane, is currently showing her art at the multi-million pound centre, in School Drive. It is her debut
THREE Black Country artists are set to bring fun, laughter and music to a Droitwich Spa stage. Doug Parker, Maggie O'Hara and Russ Styler bring A Black Country Night Show to the Norbury Theatre on Friday, September 16. Comedian Parker provides good clean
WALLACE and Grommit will be back on screen shortly and they'll also be starring in a new comic. The comic, which is from Titan Publishing, will be the official Wallace & Gromit monthly comic and it launches on September 29. It's being timed to coincide
THERE'S not a great deal to write "back home" about this latest Clapton album, which encapsulates in a nutshell the sound of a man treading water in the shallow end - something he has been doing for 30 years or more. The words "middle-of-the-road adult-orientated
HANDS up those who sneered at McFly when they first burst onto the music scene with Five Colours In Her Hair for being a second-rate Busted? Be prepared to eat your words. Since Charlie Simpson and his overgrown eyebrows left Busted in pursuit of a more
PUFFBALL skirts, colossal shoulder pads and iridescent suits. As if you needed anymore proof that the 1980s were a fashion disaster then The Business is it. Set in Thatcher's decade of decadence, when mobile phones were chunkier than Simon Le Bon's waistline
AVONCROFT CC's first team clinched the championship on Saturday when they drew with Old Vigornians. The winning draw was enough to ensure that 'Croft sealed the Worcestershire County League Division Three title. The first team's success completed the
BROMSGROVE RFC strolled into the second Midlands round of the Powergen National Trophy on Saturday by trouncing Whitchurch 51-3. The Boars booked a match at Luctonians on Saturday, September 17 in round two with an easy victory. Winger Richard Stockholm
WORCESTER Gilbert and Sullivan Society will be presenting 'Iolanthe' at the Swan Theatre from Tuesday September 20. Evening performances start at 7.30pm with a Saturday matinee show at 2.30pm. A full orchestra will be on show for guests with tickets costing
YOUNGSTERS from Worces-tershire who make a difference in their local community could earn £100. Whether it is tidying up a tatty park, helping older people go shopping or teaching younger children the dangers of crossing the road, the cash will be given
CANADIAN international Jus-tin Thompson is unlikely to play again for Worcester City. The 24-year-old made four full appearances and came off the bench once during his four-week trial stay at the St George's Lane club. He combined turning out for Worcester
WORCESTER City midfielder George Clegg is out of action for up to three weeks after straining medial ligaments in his right knee. The 24-year-old was taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital after breaking down in the early stages of City's reserve victory
FIXTURES Harvey World Travel Midland Football Alliance Saturday, September 10, FA Cup, Willenhall Town v Malvern Town (3.00). Tuesday, September 13, Alvechurch v Malvern Town (7.45). Saturday, September 17, FA Vase, Malvern Town v Long Eaton United (3.00
A BROOM shopkeeper has spoken of her relief after finally contacting her brother eight days after the devastating hurricane ripped through the southern coast of the United States. Susan Betteridge, who runs Broom Village Stores in High Street, said despite
A KINWARTON churchwarden has made an urgent plea for funding of up to £70,000 to save the village's ancient church from crumbling. Susan Kinnersley launched the appeal after a recent survey of the Church of St Mary the Virgin revealed urgent restoration
POLICE officers who were first on the scene of a fatal collision involving an Alcester postman are to receive commendations for their prompt actions. Stratford officers Pc Oliver Deakin and Pc Leanne Popple will receive special awards at a ceremony at
THE end is finally in sight for Alcester Library's extensive £196,000 refurbishment project. Staff expect to see the "transformed" facility throwing open its doors to the public early next month, although an exact date is yet to be set. The scheme has
AN AMBITIOUS live musical evening, tipped to be "one of the top music events in the Midlands", is set to be launched in Alcester next month. Tickets have already started selling for The Cuckoo Club's first event on Friday, October 7 at the Greig Centre
Bromsgrove Rovers 0 Swindon Supermarine 2 Southern League Division One West LACKLUSTRE Rovers were left to rue an error-strewn display as they suffered their first home defeat in the Southern League Division One West on Saturday. Despite a flurry of second
Film Review - Red Eye at the UGC, Great Park, Rubery AFTER a chance meeting at check-in of their delayed Miami flight, hotel manager Lisa Reisert (Rachel McAdams) and Jackson Ripper (Cillian Murphy) find themselves sharing flirty conversation and a drink
SKIPPER Matty Clarke has pleaded with Redditch United manager Rod Brown to bury the hatchet and let him return to the club. The former Telford and Hereford United defender was sacked by the Reds boss last week following a training ground bust-up but still
ALTHOUGH there are 306 vacancies for men and 142 for women registered with the employment exchange at Redditch, three local firms put in only token requests for labour, but have let it be known that between them they really require 500 more men. This
ROSE Styler, of Astwood Bank, was charged with stealing four pounds of beans, value 6d, the property of John Broome, Edgioake Farm, Astwood Bank, on September 4. Mr FJ Whiteley prosecuted, and Mr GW Hobson defended. Prosecution said on August 24, between
A SCHEME to cut the number of road accidents at Redditch's Rough Hill Drive traffic island - the county's second worst accident blackspot- is to be implemented this summer. And Worcestershire County Council has vowed it will not make the same mistakes
'CUT fuel duty' is the message to the Government from firms in Worcestershire and Herefordshire as rocketing petrol prices force bus fares up and increase the cost of transporting goods around the region. Many companies are feeling the pinch from petrol
A SCHOOL in Malvern is set to close after only one new child in its catchment area enrolled for the current academic year. Education officers at Worcester-shire County Council say that Malvern Hills Primary School should close because of "drastically
HUNDREDS of thousands of cricket fans and patriots are set to sing glorious anthem Jerusalem tomorrow as England expects its team to win the Ashes. The national campaign to sing William Blake's hymn to England at 10.25am - five minutes before the start
Birmingham Premier League REDDITCH are teetering on the edge of the Division Three relegation zone after another miserable display at the weekend. Their 83-run defeat at the hands of high-flying visitors Aston Manor leaves the Bromsgrove Road side just
WORCESTER City midfielder George Clegg is out of action for up to three weeks after straining medial ligaments in his right knee. The 24-year-old was taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital after breaking down in the early stages of City's reserve victory
CANADIAN international Jus-tin Thompson is unlikely to play again for Worcester City. The 24-year-old made four full appearances and came off the bench once during his four-week trial stay at the St George's Lane club. He combined turning out for Worcester
Thursday, September 8 Pam Ayres, Artrix Theatre, Bromsgrove. Tickets from 577330. Lizzie Wiggins' Variety Music Hall, Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham. Tickets from 0870 607 7544. As You Like It/Comedy of Errors/Twelfth Night/A Midsummer Night's Dream, Royal
TEENAGE sculling sensation Zac Purchase stormed to silver at the world rowing championships in Japan to become the youngest ever senior singles medallist. The Worcester 19-year-old finished second behind world record holder and Olympic medallist Vasileios
MIDLAND Alliance leaders Malvern Town delivered another spectacular goal feast last night, thrashing lowly Cradley Town 6-2. A spectacular start saw the on-song Langland Stadium side four goals up inside the first half-hour through Mark Owen, a Darren
TICKETS are on sale for two charity concerts next month, when Andrew Weekes sings and plays the songs of Elton John. Hits such as Crocodile Rock and Candle In The Wind will feature, with all proceeds going to charity. The concerts are at Birmingham's
Barnt Green 88 all out Himley 89-3 Barnt Green lost by seven wickets BARNT Green are feeling the pressure at the top of the Birmingham and District League Premier Division as defeat against Himley threw the title chase wide open on Saturday. Defeat slashed
Romsley and Hunnington 128-10 Droitwich 132-4 Droitwich won by six wickets DROITWICH were too strong for Romsley and Hunnigton as they cruised to victory on Saturday. Spa have just hit form in the Worcester League Division One to ensure they move away
Claverley 240 all out Cutnall Green 242-2 Cutnall Green won by eight wickets CUTNALL ended a successful season on a high note in the Worcestershire County Cricket League Division Four on Saturday. Victory was the icing on the cake for Green, who had already
REDDITCH manager Rod Brown admitted he could be forced to bring in another player after seeing his side suffer their fourth straight defeat. "We have a lot of nice players but maybe we are lacking a few characters - the kind of players like Sean Flynn
Redditch United 1 Hednesford Town 2 WHEN you are struggling at the wrong end of the table it doesn't take a lot for the confidence to drain away. Reds looked a different class to their Staffordshire visitors for the opening half-hour of this Midlands
"POET for the people" Pam Ayres appears at Bromsgrove's Artrix Theatre tomorrow as part of her 30th anniversary tour. Her solo show They Should Have Asked My Husband marks 30 years since Pam first appeared on TV's Opportunity Knocks and promises to be
BROMSGROVE RFC strolled into the second Midlands round of the Powergen National Trophy on Saturday by trouncing Whitchurch 51-3. The Boars booked a match at Luctonians on Saturday, September 17 in round two with an easy victory. Winger Richard Stockholm
Droitwich 32 Dudley Kingswinford 2nds 8 DROITWICH continued their excellent build-up to the Midlands Division Four West (South) by brushing aside the National League's Dudley's second string in a friendly at the Glynn Mitchell Memorial Ground on Saturday
WORCESTERSHIRE lost three crucial wickets today in the opening session of their Frizzell County Championship promotion clash against Yorkshire. Openers Stephen Moore and Chris Gayle perished in their twenties at Headingley, while Graeme Hick continued
I DIDN'T think anything could surprise me about MG Rover as it had been well documented. But the fact that this Goverment has allowed the Chinese management of this company - now called Nanjing, to bring into this country 400 Chinese workers who they
LITTLE medical problem. Not urgent. See doctor who refers me to a specialist at the Alexandra Hospital, Redditch. Receive letter saying I will be seen within next 13 weeks. After eight weeks - secretary rings asking if I can attend clinic the following
REDDITCH start their league campaign on Saturday when they go head-to-head with neighbours Woodrush. And club coach Dave Parsons is hoping the Bromsgrove Road side can use their mix of youth and experience to mount a challenge for honours in North Midlands
Pilkington XXX 0 Barnt Green Spartak 5 TABLE topping Spartak made it four wins out of four in the Midland Combination Premier Division on Saturday. Spartak, propelled along by a brace from Warren Sewell, confirmed their status as the division's in-form
BROMSGROVE Town cruised into round three of the Advertiser/Messenger Cup on Sunday. Town swept past Ringspanners 6-1, with goals for Smart, MacLeod (3), Gaffney and man of the match Eades. Cofton Falcons beat Crabmill 3-0, with Parkinson (2) and Cook
I AM disgusted by Mr Castleford's recent attack on deputy mayor Kate Spencer. She is a dutiful and loyal wife, supporting husband Terry in his demanding role as Wychavon executive board member for Droitwich. Without their mutual efforts at town and and
THEATRE lovers are being sought by a local amateur dramatic society to be involved in front and behind the curtain. Alvechurch Dramatic Society has organised a new members evening for tomorrow night at Alvechurch Village Hall Chris Davies, spokesman for
ONE of the world's most acclaimed dance companies, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, is coming to the Birmingham Hippodrome next week. The company, who perform at the Hippodrome on Tuesday, September 13 and Wednesday, September 14, is renowned for
A BROMSGROVE artist has been given the honour of kicking off the Artrix's autumn programme by displaying her innovative work. Tamar Whyte, from Burcot Lane, is currently showing her art at the multi-million pound centre, in School Drive. It is her debut
A RUBERY gym will be hosting a betting afternoon to raise funds for Breast Cancer Research. Greens health club in Rubery will hold the event on Friday September 9 between 12pm and 4pm. Entry costs £5 including afternoon tea. Visitors can bet on horse
WALLACE and Grommit will be back on screen shortly and they'll also be starring in a new comic. The comic, which is from Titan Publishing, will be the official Wallace & Gromit monthly comic and it launches on September 29. It's being timed to coincide
MORE than 30 people from a Redditch company donned their walking gear on Saturday to raise vitally needed funds for the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association. The group of chums and colleagues from Telco decided to raise the cash as friend Glen Blake
MORE than 300 leading exhibitors and thousands of collectors of all things small will once more be heading for Birmingham's NEC and the Miniatura Dolls' House Show on September 17 and 18. Since the first show in 1983, this bi-annual event has made Birmingham
THE history book pages will spring to life as visitors are transported back to a different century at the Black Country Living Museum's living history weekend on Saturday, September 17 and Sunday, September 18. The Friends of the Museum group bring to
REGARDING Councillor Robert Rowden's comments about my proposal for a concert hall at the Copenhagen Street car park, I would like to ask if this area is proposed to be a "garden", who will be using this area in the nine months of the year when the weather
COULD someone please explain to me why we should have our main road widened and all the extra traffic problems that go with it for a bus lane which the residents in and around the Ronkswood area will not be able to use? The new proposed hop-on hop-off
BRILLIANT Billy Gill steered Cookhill to victory at the weekend securing the Cotswold Hills League Division Six title at the same time. The Ridgeway side needed at least 19 points from their match at Claverdon II but Gill's incredible 193 all out ensured
Redditch United 1 Hednesford Town 2 WHEN you are struggling at the wrong end of the table it doesn't take a lot for the confidence to drain away. Reds looked a different class to their Staffordshire visitors for the opening half-hour of this Midlands
THE Blue Cross fete was a howling success at the Animal Adoption Centre in Catshill last weekend. Around 4,000 visitors, many with their pet dogs, flocked to the fete on Saturday afternoon, helping raise more than £6,700 for the pet charity. Activities
SPECIALLY trained police officers clad in riot gear and carrying shields were called to Bromsgrove Public Library after a man brandishing a knife was seen near the entrance. The building, off Stratford Road, and the adjacent county council premises, were
A banned motorist, caught by police, fired a stun-gun twice at one of the officers. PC Kristofer Hall was knocked semi-conscious by the first blast and came to lying on his back with Peter Truby standing over him. Prosecutor Jane Sarginson said the victim
THE owner of a Bromsgrove store has been forced to cease trading because of the lack of shoppers and high overheads. Jenny Gollan, owner of Simply Gifts off High Street, closed last Saturday after five years in Bromsgrove. "It has got to the stage where
A SHADOW was cast over a couple's big day after their £15,000 car and other expensive items were stolen just hours before they were set to marry at a Bromsgrove hotel. The couple's blue Saab convertible was stolen last Wednesday night after a thief took
THE mum of a school boy motorcycle champion, who was killed on a race track, has paid tribute to her "perfect" son. Fourteen-year-old Chris Jones, who lived in Stoke Prior, was killed when he was involved in a collision on the starting line of the latest
BROMSGROVE motorists are being warned to think about car security after laptops were stolen from two cars in Blackwell. The first incident happened between 11pm on Monday, August 29, and 7am the following day in Linthurst Newtown. A black Dell C60 laptop
BIRTHDAY celebrations were the order of the day when a Spa woman marked her 102nd birthday. Despite being more than a century old Elsie Thomas, who lives at Rashwood Nursing Home, still regularly does crosswords and reads - especially the Advertiser.
TOP plans are underway to demolish the Spa's former magistrates' court and health centre to make way for a new three storey medical centre. Alfred McAlpine Capital Projects has submitted the application to Wychavon District Council for the work at the
A DAIRY farmer near the Spa who felt left out in the cold over milk prices has diversified and is now making a living from ice cream. Gillian Kerton's family has owned Churchfields Farm, in Salwarpe, which specialises in dairy products, for more than
THE mum of a Spa school boy motorcycle champion who was killed on a race track has paid tribute to her "perfect" son. Fourteen-year-old Chris Jones, who attended Droitwich Spa High School, was killed last week when he was involved in a collision on the
A SPA company has taken its first order from the United Arab Emirates. Nexus DMS Ltd, of Lovett Road, Hampton Lovett, makes electricity-powered profiling care beds which lift, lower and profile adjust for the user's back and legs. The beds also reduce
REDDITCH driver Mike Luck had a lucky escape when he was involved in a high speed crash at Rockingham. The race ace was taking part in the ninth round of the SCSA Championship when his car crashed into the wall surrounding the oval circuit. Luck escaped
REDDITCH firefighters last week visited schools in the town as part of an initiative to boost fire-safety awareness among youngsters. On Monday and Tuesday, firefighters from the Birmingham Road station visited Webheath and Feckenham first schools as
FOR people still suffering nightmares after watching the original American version, the release of this sequel was probably met with a half excited/half apprehensive feeling. Sadly, those feelings are wasted as The Ring Two is a weak, non-scary attempt
A MATCHBOROUGH student has proved beauty is more than skin deep after bagging two top awards from NEW College. Beauty therapy student Laura Hopla, of Merevale Close, won the Peakman Street college's Most Outstanding Student and Student of the Year titles
TOUGH issues facing today's teenagers will be tackled onstage by a group of Wythall youngsters later this month. Budding actors, dancers and writers at Youthworcs Woodrush on Shawhurst Lane will take centre stage with their own production of Two Tins
SCHOOLS are back after the long summer holidays and the new academic year sees many changes. From this week, for the first time ever, all teachers are, by law, entitled to 10 per cent of the timetable free from teaching in the classroom so they can plan
EASY and cheap access to the town centre, supermarket shopping and Alexandra Hospital will finally be available at night thanks to a new "taxi bus" scheme - the first of its kind in the county. Bus company First axed its late night bus service in January
A VITAL bereavement charity for parents who have lost adult children has been offered a lifeline at the eleventh hour. Parents Experiencing Adult Loss (PEAL) was told in August it had failed to secure Lottery funding and faced closure at the end of September
ARROW Distributors, in Woodbury Lane, Norton, Worcester, has been given an award for its environmental efforts. The prestigious Green Apple Award will be presented at a ceremony at The House of Commons in November. The event is a showcase of some of the
A Redditch man who breached an anti-social behaviour order five times will be sentenced next month at Worcester Crown Court. Shaun Walsh got into an argument with a couple as they returned to their home above shops in a town precinct. He "goaded" the
WORCESTER Warriors fans don't have to worry about missing kickoff this season thanks to a new business partnership between the club and local bus operator First. The deal offers 2005/2006 season ticket holders the opportunity to travel to Sixways free
A CONCERT of traditional 18th century music is being held as part of celebrations to mark the 900th anniversary of Studley Parish Church. The West Gallery Quire will be singing in period costume and playing traditional instruments at St Mary's Church
A DRUNKEN man brandished a 2ft long samurai sword above his head and threatened neighbours with it, Worcester Crown Court heard. Anthony Meadows, who had drunk about nine pints of lager, brought terror to Astley Close, Church Hill, during a dispute between
STUDLEY Parish Council has joined the information superhighway by launching its own website. Newsletters, a diary of events and minutes from parish council meetings are just some of the items which will be posted on the new site - www.studleyparishcouncil.org.uk
A HUGE thank you to the people of Redditch who have supported Arthritis Research Campaign this year. Our financial year runs from August 1 to July 31 and over this last 12 months, we raised the magnificent sum of £3,487.30 and this despite all the high-profile
RECENTLY, my husband suffered a heart attack. A paramedic car and an ambulance were with me within minutes and their compassion and care were second to none. When my husband went into cardiac arrest it, was their skill that brought him back to me. Upon
