By Peter McKinney BROMSGROVE Rovers are closing in on signing Welsh goal ace Steve Rodgers. Manager Jimmy Mullen and his assistant Bernard Mackey are set to speak with the 26-year-old hitman this week. Rodgers was top scorer for Welsh Premier League side
PEACE broke out in the war between Bromsgrove Rovers and its independent Supporters Society this week, after the club presented the fans' group with 5,000 shares. Rovers chairman Tom Herbert presented opposite number Des Best, from Bromsgrove Rovers Supporters
BROMSGROVE Rovers FC begin their FA Cup campaign with a home game against Lincolnshire side Bourne Town in the pre-qualifying round on August 27. Jimmy Mullen's side faces a stiff test against the Eagles Bitter United Counties Premier Division side. If
Bromsgrove Rovers (0) 0 Hednesford Town (3) 3 BROMSGROVE Rovers' difficult pre-season programme suffered another set back at the Victoria Ground, as a slick Hednesford Town side beat them last Saturday (July 16). Like the defeat to Kidderminster Harriers
FAIRER funding campaigners for Worcestershire could be on the road to victory after the Government revealed it is changing the way money is dished out. Worcester MP Michael Foster said he was hopeful that the county's councils, schools and police could
FAMILIES enjoyed making a splash when they tested out hoses during an open day at Worcester fire station. They took rides on engines, enjoyed face-painting sessions and had fun with brigade bear mascot Blaze during Saturday's event. Tony Emery, one of
A PET snake turned up alive and well - FOUR years after it slithered out of James Gleave's front room Mr Gleave's Mexican true black kingsnake, Boschmitzy, was discovered curled up in an outside electricity box by his neighbour's cat long after its owner
THE generosity of the people of Worcestershire has allowed land to be bought in Nepal with the aim to building a school for impoverished children. Anna Myers, aged 25, of Church Street, Kempsey, spent five months this year teaching English in the Himalayan
A CENTRE aiming to develop family parenting within the Malvern Conservation Area could be all set to expand its premises. Malvern Achievement Services, in Crown House, Abbey Road, Malvern, has been based at its current location since May 2003, when permission
A PENSIONER who shares his name with the late, great comic Bernie Winters has won the opportunity to sing his way to stardom in a talent contest for the over 60s. Bernard Winters, of Powick, near Worcester, might not have classics such as Mike And Bernie's
Bromsgrove Rovers (0) 0 Moor Green (0) 1 ROVERS can count themselves unlucky as they slumped to their third friendly defeat at the Victoria Ground last night (July 19). Despite their best performance of pre-season, an error by trialist right back Neil
PEACE broke out in the war between Bromsgrove Rovers and its independent Supporters Society this week, after the club presented the fans' group with 5,000 shares. Rovers chairman Tom Herbert presented opposite number Des Best, from Bromsgrove Rovers Supporters
COLIN Youngjohns has been given the prestigious position of president of Kidderminster Harriers after announcing his decision to stand down as chairman. He will be succeeded in the Aggborough chair by Barry Norgrove who steps up from vice-president after
Exclusive by MAT KENDRICK AXED assistant manager Gary Barnett could be set for an amazing return to Kidderminster Harriers just days after losing his job because of budget cuts. Barnett has already been lined up for a possible full-time role coaching
SUMMER is here and to celebrate a top Bromsgrove arts facility has lined up a host of great blockbuster films for all the family. The Artrix, off School Drive, has put together a packed programme of films and there really is something for everyone. In
THE Royal Shakespeare Company's (RSC) season of comedies started on Friday, July 15, with a preview of A Comedy of Errors. Shakespeare's earliest comedy, the play tells the story of brothers, sisters, masters and servants who find themselves confused,
DESPITE heavy overnight rain the track at Bromsgrove County High School was in good condition when 18 records were smashed during the annual spots day. The Victor Ludorum was Harvey Troth and the Victrix Tehmina Goodman. Hibbins won the house championship
A WORCESTER business that offers top quality beef to people is hoping to take the lead in another market - making luxury food for canines. Craig and Marjorie Walsh run Lucies Farm in Colletts Green near Powick, where they raise Highland cattle for a type
CBI Director General Sir Digby Jones will focus on topical issues at a special business lunch in Worcestershire. Tickets are being snapped up for the lunch at The Pear Tree Inn & Country House Hotel in Smite, near Worcester, on Friday, July 29. But
LITTLETON'S annual Gala Day raised more than £1,200 for club funds and success on the green for the quartet of husband and wife Sue and Rob Heming, Angela Roberts and Betty Jelfs. Runners-up was Alan Beale's team from Aston Somerville with Brian Wilmore
EVESHAM Jades enjoyed a comfortable 46-24 win in their latest Worcester City Netball League match. Saracens Cubs were the victims with Aline Cornish named top player.
IT'S been a busy week for Broadway's men in the Con-corde League. Last Thursday evening, Eve-sham were the visitors but it was the hosts who won comfortably by 124-81 with wins on four of the five rinks. Phil Taylor is currently in fine form and he won
TWO days of action on two, three and four wheels. That's the format at Prescott speed hillclimb this weekend when the Bugatti Owners' Club stage two separate back-to-back meetings. On both days there will be practice in the morning with the competitive
THE men's five-a-side football in the 2005 Wychavon Parish Games will take place at Badsey Recreation Ground on Sunday. Open players aged 14 and over, any team can enter, provided all players come from the same Parish within Wychavon. If the Parish has
THREE members of Eve-sham Wheelers led by Carol Hall travelled to Redditch to ride a 70-mile Randonee. Their route took them through Bidford, Broadway, Ashton-under-Hill, Elmley Castle, Fladbury and Stock Green before returning to the starting point some
IT'S crunch week for Broadway's men as they enter the final stages of county competitions in which they are represented in three out of the fur disciplines ahead of next month's National Bowls Championships at Worthing. Broadway were guaranteed a place
BROMSGROVE Golf Club got the better of local rivals Ombersley to win their latest match in the Worcestershire Handicap League. Bromsgrove beat Ombersley 4.5-1.5, with pairing Ian Sallows and Dave Thompson winning by one hole. Mark Hawkins and Keith Plowman
SPONSORSHIP from Abbey Butchers almost helped Sue Cosnett bring home the bacon from the seventh World Masters Judo Champion-ships. Sue, who works in the Pershore shop, brought a bronze medal back from Ontario in Canada where the top two places in the
Evesham and District Crib League LAST week's annual general meeting voted for an increase in league membership fees, the first for ten years, from £27 to £30. Officers were also elected as follows; Alan Booth (president), vice-presidents M Mumford, W
GOLDEN Cross angler Martin Ludlow fished brilliantly last Thursday to record the first 200lb catch of the season at Manor Farm Leisure at Harvington. Fishing the Affordable Open on the Island Pool, Ludlow fished three metres up n the water, using 6ml
BUS users will be hit in the pocket after ticket prices for travel in the town shot up by a whopping 12.5 per cent. The hike in the prices of First Red tickets - from £4 to £4.50 for a daily saver - affects passengers using the 144 bus service to Birmingham
A DROITWICH lad is devastated after the bike he spent two years building was stolen as he worked at his part-time job. Seventeen-year-old Ben Dickenson was working at Droitwich Chippy in Mulberry Tree Hill, off Primsland Way, on Monday, July 11. He left
THE bustle and noise of a normal Thursday in High Street was temporarily suspended when townsfolk joined others around the world to remember the victims of the London bombings. Most shops and businesses displayed signs informing customers that staff would
ENERGETIC tots at a Spa school have been in training for their annual sports day, which will take place today (Wednesday). The little ones at St Joseph's RC Primary School will take part in a variety of new sporty activities, including hitting a tennis
A VALUABLE bracelet, worth more than £1,000, has been stolen from an antique dealer's stall in Bromsgrove Market. A man and woman visited the stall at the antique fair last Wednesday between 1 and 1.20pm. They chose some items of jewellery, which they
TWINKLE-toed youngsters did themselves proud when they took part in a countywide dance festival. The talented tots from Wychbold First School's reception class travelled to Malvern's Forum Theatre and gave a performance of a toy dance. They had already
YOUNGSTERS and adults with special needs will still be able to visit a farm near Bromsgrove to care for animals after the service was saved. Planning committee members from Bromsgrove District Council went against officers recommendations and agreed to
BROMSGROVE Rovers Football Club is set to kick off the new season secure in the knowledge they have a new ten year lease on the Victoria Ground - and it won't cost the club a penny. The proposal comes after months of uncertainty about its long term future
THE silver jubilee celebrating Bromsgrove's highly successful twinning link with Gronau has been marked with the erection of a street sign pointing to the German town 385 miles away. A short handing over ceremony was carried out yesterday (Tuesday) in
ECO-friendly youngsters learnt the benefits of recycling during a textiles project. Pupils from Charford First School, in Charford Road, made Indian style textile rugs as part of the work for a recycling awareness week. Other children made model animals
A TOP town museum re-opened a popular windmill for a national archaeology event. The Danzey Green windmill at Avoncroft Museum, in Stoke Heath, was opened just for last weekend. The 19th century post mill has been out of action since November 2004 when
THERE was magic in the air at Bromsgrove library last Saturday thanks to the launch of the latest Harry Potter book. The Stratford Road site opened early for a special breakfast for 20 youngsters who had got special tickets for the event. The ghoulish
A POLICE spokesman said they (the police) "would prosecute begging when they saw it" in our Faithful City (Worcester News, Tuesday, July 12, Page 2). Every time I go into Worcester and walk over the bridge into town, there is always a street beggar lurking
IT seems that the council cave-in to those shopkeepers who complained about the tall trees on the High Street has encouraged another local trader to make a complaint. This time, it's the gulls. He wants action to be taken against them. He mentions the
SUMMER is here and to celebrate a top Bromsgrove arts facility has lined up a host of great blockbuster films for all the family. The Artrix, off School Drive, has put together a packed programme of films and there really is something for everyone. In
M CLARKE accuses me of envy and greed (Monday, July 11). I certainly don't envy today's middle class, with its money-orientated lifestyle. Christ said quite clearly: "You cannot serve both God and Money." As to greed, for over 25 years now I've given
Marion opened the meeting and Greta read the minutes, following the reminder of the business our speaker for the evening Rosemary Prosser, was introduced to us. Rosemary, a farmer's daughter, left school at the age of 16 years to complete a farm secretarial
A POPULAR stately home near Bromsgrove has a whole programme of events for the summer season. Hanbury Hall has a host of activities for residents in the coming months. These include The Great Gruesome Day Out this Saturday and Sunday (July 23 and 24)
DROITWICH'S Norbury Theatre is looking for some volunteers to help promote their work. The theatre wants two volunteers to spare some time to work on its martketing and publicity. Secretary Johnathon Yeldham said: "We are an amateur theatre with plenty
THE Royal Shakespeare Company's (RSC) season of comedies started on Friday, July 15, with a preview of A Comedy of Errors. Shakespeare's earliest comedy, the play tells the story of brothers, sisters, masters and servants who find themselves confused,
STRATFORD Rugby Club in association with 'Socious Sports' will be running a week-long workshop for children aged seven to 18 at Loxley Road starting on Monday, August 8. Socious Sports is one of only a handful of providers of rugby workshops in the UK
A TRIO of juniors from Broadway Golf Club helped Gloucestershire to victory in the South West Boys Championship at Broadstone last week. The win qualifies the county's youngsters for the English Boys Finals at Little Aston in early September - the team
WELL done to the Spa Music Festival The last two weeks has seen a wonderful time with over 40 events and a variety of sounds, high standard musicians and entertainers to suit all tastes - choirs, brass bands, jazz, rock, classicals and Musicals to name
THE opening of Waitrose moves the town forward into a brighter future than that offered by the backward Socialist/Liberal troglodytes who use the lido only for pre-electioneering purposes. When the lido re-opens and offers facilities for families of all
AMBIVALENCE? Yes, love and hate so fairly now evinced Each side entrenched, implacable, and ever more convinced. That come what may, upon the day, 'tis their from that succeeds But have they thought yes, really thought, about what Droitwich needs? A resurrected
PLEASE, can anyone give us an explanation why our yellow bows were removed from the railings of the lido? I have heard it was for health and safety reasons. The spread of jaundice? Yellow fever? Bow legs? Lots of accidents reported involving a yellow
Bromsgrove Rovers (0) 0 Hednesford Town (3) 3 BROMSGROVE Rovers' difficult pre-season programme suffered another set back at the Victoria Ground, as a slick Hednesford Town side beat them last Saturday (July 16). Like the defeat to Kidderminster Harriers
Bromsgrove Rovers (0) 0 Moor Green (0) 1 ROVERS can count themselves unlucky as they slumped to their third friendly defeat at the Victoria Ground last night (July 19). Despite their best performance of pre-season, an error by trialist right back Neil
THE Bromsgrove branch of Leukaemia Research would like to thank its volunteers who gave up their time on Saturday, July 9, to collect on behalf of Leukaemia Research at Morrisons Store in Rubery. We collected a fantastic sum of £796.10. Many thanks to
THE sign outside the Hop Pole pub stating, 'Live music tonight' has remained for too long. If it were there now it would read, 'Dead music until?' There is something worse than music deemed to be too loud and that is no music at all. Will Bromsgrove District
ONCE again Bromsgrove District Council has shown its true colours. Only a couple of weeks after stopping live music at the Hop Pole pub because of a noise complaint, it seems to think it's okay for it to wake up the residents of Burcot Lane at 6am on
THE Worcester News recognises there is plenty to be proud of in our great county - with its rolling hills, famous sons, historic landmarks and world-renowned industry. And we are urging readers to help promote the green and pleasant land of Elgar's music
WHAT has happened to our bus service for Finstall, and Aston Fields? It has diminished to once an hour! You see lonely souls hanging around the bus stop with glazed eyes of bewilderment. How much longer have we got to wait? The new timetable changes twice
THANK you for covering the story of my offer to allow members of the public to visit the recently excavated World War Two air-raid shelter in my garden. People of all ages, living inside and outside of Bromsgrove came in a steady flow. The BBC has also
ANDREW Ching loves Worcestershire so much he set up a website to sing its praises. The 27-year-old, who was born-and-bred in Worcester, is backing the Worcester News Pride In Worcestershire campaign, which was launched on Saturday. There are hundreds
PERSHORE'S bowling attack was put to the sword in Saturday's sweltering heat but the batters responded in fine fashion to deny the visitors victory. Penkridge rattled up a mammoth 320 runs for the loss of just one wicket as six bowlers failed to halt
ONLY two sides in the Cotswold Hills League have yet to record a win this summer and relegation would appear an odds-on certainty for Alcester and Ragley's senior side and Shipston's second string. The former were in Premier Divi-sion action at London
TEENAGE wicket keeper at Evesham, Chris Weaver, hit a century for the county Under-17s side last week. The 17-year-old first team stumper scored 119 against Leicestershire at Market Harborough. Another junior making his mark in the successful senior side
Himbleton 226-9 Cutnall Green 228-1 Cutnall Green won by nine wickets A CENTURY by Neil Fletcher ensured Cutnall Green got the better of their local rivals and enhanced their title prospects in the Worcester League Division Four on Saturday. Victory made
Droitwich 228-9 Eastnor 229-7 Droitwich lost by three wickets DROITWICH missed a chance to grab a confidence boosting victory in a narrow defeat to Eastnor in the Worcestershire League Division One on Saturday. THAT'S ALL FOLKS: Phil Thomas's stumps are
Stourport 207 all out Avoncroft 157 all out Avoncroft lost by 50 runs AVONCROFT suffered their second defeat of the season at the hands of Stourport to hamper their promotion hopes in the Worcestershire League Division Three on Saturday. 'Croft's normally
Bromsgrove 141 all out Harborne 142-1 Bromsgrove lost by nine wickets RELEGATION fears returned to haunt Bromsgrove as Saturday's heavy defeat in the Birmingham and District League Division One saw them tumble towards the danger zone. BATTING COLLAPSE
Barnt Green 250 all out Old Hill 248 all out Barnt Green win by two runs CAPTAIN Richard Illingworth put Barnt Green firmly back in contention for championship, as they narrowly edged past Old Hill in the Birmingham and District League Premier on Saturday
GOALKEEPER Tom Att-wood was the hero as Badsey Rangers emerged triumphant from last Saturday's six-a-side tournament at Moreton Town. The Under-9s, consisting of Matty Andrew, Ryan Dixon, Will Gillette, Callum Grieve, Alex Jones, Dan Orton, Scott Southern
THE neglected railings around the war memorial in Callow End, near Worcester, will soon be gleaming with new paint, thanks to two dedicated members of the Royal British Legion. Standard bearer John Mason and poppy organiser Ray Henley, of the RBL's Powick
ONE person a fortnight is diagnosed with HIV in Worcestershire and the number is on the increase, Worcester Aids Foundation has said. And there are fears youngsters in particular are putting themselves at increased danger of contracting the disease because
A WOMAN inspired by her son's death to help others has been honoured for raising £500,000 for charity. Barbara Ludwig, of Athelstan Road, Battenhall, Worcester, has collected the money for Cancer Research UK since the death of her son Stuart from a brain
Thursday, July 21 Theatre: Anagram of Murder, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton, 7.30pm. Runs until Saturday. Saturday, July 23 Music: John Lynam and Gypsy, Wishing Well pub, Market Street, Bromsgrove, 9pm. Event: Des O'Connor
THERE was plenty for manager Dave Busst to ponder over after his Evesham United side started a hectic pre-season campaign with a 2-1 win at Alvechurch on Tuesday night, writes Mervyn Collins. The action on the pitch at Lye Meadow wasn't the prettiest
DROITWICH'S Norbury Theatre is looking for some volunteers to help promote their work. The theatre wants two volunteers to spare some time to work on its martketing and publicity. Secretary Johnathon Yeldham said: "We are an amateur theatre with plenty
A POPULAR stately home near Bromsgrove has a whole programme of events for the summer season. Hanbury Hall has a host of activities for residents in the coming months. These include The Great Gruesome Day Out this Saturday and Sunday (July 23 and 24)
PARENTS looking for a new way to occupy their children this summer can take advantage of Malvern Theatres' programme. Three week-long sessions will be held in July and August and will cater for both younger children and older teenagers. English Touring
Thursday, July 21 Theatre: Anagram of Murder, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton, 7.30pm. Runs until Saturday. Saturday, July 23 Music: John Lynam and Gypsy, Wishing Well pub, Market Street, Bromsgrove, 9pm. Event: Des O'Connor
THE country church at Tardebigge will be filled with glorious singing by international performers on Sunday week, July 31 (3pm). Richard Sisson, the pianist half of Kit and the Widow, will be bringing along his SongBook and three singers, a singing actor
THOMAS Crowther and John Priddey, two boys from The Vines in Droitwich, appeared before Spa magistrates charged with being naked while bathing in the canal in Ricketts Lane, contrary to a bye-law. Magistrate Mr Hobson appeared to side with the lads and
THE house price rise in Bromsgrove had finally begun to slow down, but last year's increase had still been 24 per cent. The average price of a house in the district was now £22,298. AN idea to restart Bromsgrove's carnival was being considered and the
Argos sales dive RETAILING group GUS announced that sales at Argos have gone into reverse after shoppers turned their backs on goods such as garden furniture and jewellery. Like-for-like sales at Argos fell four per cent in the three months to Thursday
THE BRITISH bid for the MG division of the MG Rover Group was expected to be formally offered today. Business trouble-shooter David James indicated that the bid from his consortium will be worth about £15m. His offer will be for the sports car division
Evesham and District Crib League LAST week's annual general meeting voted for an increase in league membership fees, the first for ten years, from £27 to £30. Officers were also elected as follows; Alan Booth (president), vice-presidents M Mumford, W
Concorde Ladies League Results - Evesham 55, Broadway 59: H Quarterman, P Hodge, D Bawn 9, D Gleghorn, Y Hopkins, V Hall 27. J Hunt, E Upton, J Hemms 20, A Morley, J Speake, S Davies 14. C McSweeny, J Linley, M Shephard 21, J Barnes, B Mansion, J Parfitt
FOR the second successive year, Shipston and Inkberrow will contest the Prudden Road Surfacing League Junior Cup Final, following Monday's absorbing and closely contested semi-final pool at Bidford. In fine but blustery conditions, defending champions
JUNIOR crews from Evesham smashed course records and came home with a brace of medals from the National Rowing Championships. Staged at the world-class National Watersports Centre at Holme Pierrepont, Nott-ingham, the three-day event over a 2000m course
MILTON Harris claimed a first at Stratford last Sunday when he trained two winners at the same track on the same day. The Cotswold handler, who now has his main yard at Edgcote near Banbury, was delighted with his Luddington Road double but wasn't entirely
BROADWAY Bowling Club has been given the honour of staging this year's Worcestershire Women's Association Finals. And, the host club will be represented at Sunday's showpiece by Sue Davies and Viv Hall. The latter has reached a couple of finals and faces
AMY Lewis has proved herself a hot shot among the men in the Evesham and District Airgun League. The 14-year-old Evesham High School pupil won four trophies during a busy season that saw her help Offenham RBL to victory in the Harvey Hunt Cup and runners-up
Josh Hobbs, George Hill, Oli Whelan, Joseph Hallam, Mitchell Woolford and Johnathan Wilson. 28664605
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. Tue 19 MOOR GREEN 0-1. Sat 23 BRISTOL ROVERS (friendly, 3pm kick off). Wed 27 HEREFORD
JOHN Bickerton rubbed shoulders with the world's best golfers as he made the cut at the 134th Open over the weekend. The Droitwich professional ended the tournament in 60th place on the leaderboard, after recording a one-over-par score of 289 on St Andrew's
TWO podium finishes helped to extend Droitwich driver Matt Neal's place at the top of the British Touring Car Championship on Sunday. The Honda ace's consistency at the Croft made sure he increased his lead over Honda teammate Dan Evans to 34 points.
TWO days of action on two, three and four wheels. That's the format at Prescott speed hillclimb this weekend when the Bugatti Owners' Club stage two separate back-to-back meetings. On both days there will be practice in the morning with the competitive
FOR the second successive year, Shipston and Inkberrow will contest the Prudden Road Surfacing League Junior Cup Final, following Monday's absorbing and closely contested semi-final pool at Bidford. In fine but blustery conditions, defending champions
PERSHORE'S bowling attack was put to the sword in Saturday's sweltering heat but the batters responded in fine fashion to deny the visitors victory. Penkridge rattled up a mammoth 320 runs for the loss of just one wicket as six bowlers failed to halt
Prudden Road Surfacing League STRATFORD B, having clinched the championship of the previous week, lost their first two competitive games of the season when they only fielded one stand-in pair against Studley. This gave Studley a 2-0 start and, with the
MILTON Harris claimed a first at Stratford last Sunday when he trained two winners at the same track on the same day. The Cotswold handler, who now has his main yard at Edgcote near Banbury, was delighted with his Luddington Road double but wasn't entirely
THE men's five-a-side football in the 2005 Wychavon Parish Games will take place at Badsey Recreation Ground on Sunday. Open players aged 14 and over, any team can enter, provided all players come from the same Parish within Wychavon. If the Parish has
THE scorecard might give the impression of a one-man show but Pershore Cricket Club's victory in the Under-17 Club Championship was a real team effort. Michael Hickey produced a great all-round display scoring 77 of his side's 118-8 and then claiming
SPONSORSHIP from Abbey Butchers almost helped Sue Cosnett bring home the bacon from the seventh World Masters Judo Champion-ships. Sue, who works in the Pershore shop, brought a bronze medal back from Ontario in Canada where the top two places in the
A RESOUNDING victory over Redditch lifted Evesham 28 points clear of the chasing pack in Birmingham League Division Three. Saturday's 101-run success owed more to a battling seventh wicket stand between Luke Radford and Will Bailey than an excellent display
DAN Eaves led home teammate Matt Neal in a Team Halfords 1-2 in the third of Sunday's Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship races in front of the live ITV cameras. The Moreton-in-Marsh ace led all the way from pole position while championship leader
A SPA man, who works for the Royal Air Force, picked up an MBE last week for making dramatic changes to childcare provision in his squadron. Phil Wilde, who is an ex-Droitwich Spa High School pupil, received his honour from the Queen in a ceremony at
DROITWICH Spa's music festival was put well and truly on the map when the the Pop Icons finale wrapped up the successful two-week event. More than 700 people attended last Saturday's spectacular gala show - which was inspired by the popular ITV Pop Idol
YELLOW ribbons, which were put up to show support for renovating the town's lido, have been taken down from the railings outside the redundant saltwater attraction by officers from Wychavon District Council. Hundreds of fluttering ribbons have also been
SCORES of curious Spa folk queued to be first to check out the town's new Waitrose store last Thursday. The scalloped white roof, which has been criticised by some for not fitting in with the vernacular style, glittered in the summer sunshine as the eager
GOVERNMENT ministers came under fire from Bromsgrove's MP Julie Kirkbride after it emerged that more than 900 operations were cancelled by the county's hospitals last year. The Tory member said the Government should be ashamed of the 'human misery' caused
BARGAIN hunters will be able to enjoy the new-look St Richard's Hospice shop after it re-opened its doors following a major refit. The Gurneys Lane shop has been closed for a complete refurbishment over the last two weeks and is now 'cleaner, fresher,
BROMSGROVE police are warning car owners to keep their vehicles safe at beauty spots near the town. Almost 600 vehicles were found to have been left insecure or with property on display in the area between March and June this year. The main sites were
AN order to combat anti-social behaviour in Rubery has come into force for a second time. The dispersal order started on Monday and will run until October 2. It will mean police have the power to break up groups of two or more people on more than 60 roads
BROMSGROVE'S sports stars of the future will suffer after the whistle was blown on their grants, it is claimed. Bromsgrove and District Sports Council has been told that it will no longer receive an annual £800 grant for administration and a further £1,400
MORE than 200 guests filled a marquee on the lawns of Bromsgrove School for a fundraising Champagne, strawberries and jazz evening. Organised by Jo Slade, of Bromsgrove-based events management firm Every Eventuality on behalf of Jeremy Sharp, the Bailiff
RESIDENTS plagued by rats now have to pay for a pied piper service to get rid of the pests. In June, Bromsgrove District Council introduced a £35 charge for its pest control officer to make up to three visits to deal with the rodents. Previously the service
A MAN in his sixties had his £10,000 car stolen in a robbery in Barnt Green. The silver Vauxhall Vectra was being driven when it was hit from behind by a green Mercedes estate. When the driver got out of the Vectra to investigate, he was confronted by
Kind-hearted workers at Webbs of Wychbold are regularly running round the garden centre's riverside paths in a bid to boost their fitness for two charity events. Three of the restaurant staff - Sally Dale, Linda Waldron and Tom Voyce - were gearing up
A TOWN woman, who is taking part in Bromsgrove's Race for Life this weekend, has been doing a different kind of training. Louise Sturman, from the Woodland Grange development, has her trainers at the ready for the charity run this Sunday in Sanders Park
We met for our annual Songs of Praise service in St Mary de Wyche Church at the end of May, and Pat Kay welcomed Pat Antell, the rector's wife, Margaret Bradford, leader of Upton Warren Women's Fellowship and its members that were able to be present.
VISITORS from across the country had a merry time after flocking to Bromsgrove over the weekend to sample and celebrate real ale. Phil and Val Hosier from Bromsgrove and Jill Smith from Birmingham enjoy a pint. More than 1,200 people joined members of
PARENTS worried about the effects a mobile phone mast may have on their children's health took to the streets to highlight their campaign to have it resited. T-mobile wants to put up a 12-metre high mast, disguised as a telegraph pole, near a filling
A RUBERY school pupil is celebrating after winning a good citizen award. Nic Parkes, who attends Waseley Hills High School, was given the honour by West Mercia Constabulary for an outstanding contribution to his community. The 15-year-old received the
The President, Maureen Smith welcomed the members to the meeting. Molly Coyle and Freda Edrug were given a special welcome, both recovering from recent operations. It was good to hear that Doris Passey was feeling a little better. Good wishes were sent
We met on Tuesday evening for our visit to the Tythe Barn at Chaddesley Corbett, where the owners, Judy and Tom Berrow, showed us round their garden . They had transformed their garden from a virtual ruin into to its present splendour of colour and fruitfulness
CAN I say how good the City Bus Service currently is. Living in the north of the city, it is now a pleasant surprise to see buses come along Grange Avenue, as opposed to the previous route along Green Lane, which served virtually no one. I know there
GOLDEN Cross angler Martin Ludlow fished brilliantly last Thursday to record the first 200lb catch of the season at Manor Farm Leisure at Harvington. Fishing the Affordable Open on the Island Pool, Ludlow fished three metres up n the water, using 6ml
KARL Biddle, Tony Bench, and Tony Avery were last weekend's qualifiers for the Shakespeare Championships over the August Bank Holiday weekend. Hampton Ferry and Evesham Town Waters were the venues on a clear Warwickshire Avon that fished well for the
PARENTS looking for a new way to occupy their children this summer can take advantage of Malvern Theatres' programme. Three week-long sessions will be held in July and August and will cater for both younger children and older teenagers. English Touring
THE annual Ladies Cham-pionship at The Vale Golf and Country Club was a hotly con-tested affair over 27 holes on the International Course. The sunny weather con-tributed to lightning fast greens with some extremely difficult pin positions. The presence
AT the time of writing, the Spa's music festival was drawing to a close, with only the Pop Icons event at the Chateau Impney Hotel to come. This will undoubtedly attract the largest audience of the whole festival because, of course, the performers are
AN entrance fee to go into the new Waitrose store, an entrance fee to go into Morrisons, even an entrance fee to go into the local butcher's. That's what is happening every time visitor to the Spa pay these outrageous parking fees. When are the local
BARNT Green Spartak start their 2005/2006 campaign in the Midland Combination Premier Division with a home game against Coventry Copsewood on Saturday, August 20. Spartak, who have aspirations of winning promotion this season, have been handed a difficult
RECALLING the splendid campaign of a while ago to put the 'spa' back into sparkle and noting that our new store is called Waitrose Droitwich. At a time when the townspeople are working so hard to restore their unique lido what a gesture of support it
Bromsgrove Rovers (0) 2 Kidderminster Harriers (4) 4 FORMER Bromsgrove Rovers player Martin O'Connor made a triumphant return to the Victoria Ground as the home side were tested thoroughly by Kidderminster on Wednesday, July 13. Former Birmingham City
PEACE broke out in the war between Bromsgrove Rovers and its independent Supporters Society this week, after the club presented the fans' group with 5,000 shares. Rovers chairman Tom Herbert presented opposite number Des Best, from Bromsgrove Rovers Supporters
A WORD of warning for local residents who need the services of Bromsgrove District Council's Pest Control Service (PCS)....it will cost you at least £35, and you may have a long wait. Three weeks ago I discovered we had a wasps' nest in the roof-space
IS 'The Meadow,' the unfenced public open space between Clent Road, Rubery, and New Inns Lane, Frankley, safely in the hands of Bromsgrove District Council - its owner, for the foreseeable future? There are rumours again that it might be used for car
I WOULD like to help your readers and residents of Bromsgrove district with a problem that we all encounter from time to time. Are you fed up with having to try to walk along narrow footways where vegetation has encroached on to the surfacing? Are you
ON behalf of the Multiple Sclerosis Society we would like to say a big thank-you to all the people who donated prizes and supported us on the day of the Elizabethan Market and carnival Over the two events we raised around £600 which will go towards research
ALONG with many others I have become dissatisfied with rail services from Bromsgrove, therefore this week I decided to visit Birmingham by bus and make use of my senior citizens bus pass. As I had read in your paper that the 143 bus no longer went as
A WOMAN inspired by her son's death to help others has been honoured for raising £500,000 for charity. Barbara Ludwig, of Athelstan Road, Battenhall, Worcester, has collected the money for Cancer Research UK since the death of her son Stuart from a brain
Cotswold Hills League Results Premier Division: Exhall & Wixford 231-3, Twyning 189-8; Overbury 222-5, Stratford Bards 221-7; Broadway 211-9, Earls-wood 214-5; Shipston 200-6, Alcester & Ragley 199-9; Moreton 210-7, Tanworth 160-9. Division One
SAM Thomson took the last wicket with two balls left last Saturday to clinch maximum points for Badsey. Hosts Cleobury Mortimer lost the toss and another good knock by Adam Westmacott (44) helped Badsey reach 87-2 after 19 overs. A stand of 88 in 16 overs
THE Worcestershire Cri-cket Centre is staging two summer holidays cricket days on Monday, August 8 and Friday, August 12. The days are open to boys and girls between eight and 13 and will include skills, nets and games. The cost is £20 for the two days
16/07/05 - Belbroughton 270-3 Barnards Green 166-7 Belbrougton obtained a winning draw BELBROUGHTON were denied maximum points by dogged Barnards Green in the Worcester League Division Two on Saturday. Lee Nightingale (122) and Tom Oliver (60) had batted
THE scorecard might give the impression of a one-man show but Pershore Cricket Club's victory in the Under-17 Club Championship was a real team effort. Michael Hickey produced a great all-round display scoring 77 of his side's 118-8 and then claiming
Ombersley 347-3 Bewdley 265 all out Ombersley won by 82 runs OMBERSLEY replaced Kington at the top of the Worcestershire County League Division One after a comfortable victory over Bewdley on Saturday. An impressive batting performance by Paul Burdon
Droitwich 183-7 Studley 161-8 Droitwich won by 22 runs Wise Communications UK20/Twenty Cup DROITWICH ensured their passage into the next round of the Twenty/20 Cup by defeating Studley on Thursday, July 14. Put into bat Droitwich were given a strong start
DROITWICH Spa resident Ashley Giles is set to square up to the best cricket team in the world this week, as England look to make a strong start to the Ashes series. Warwickshire spinner Giles has been selected for the 12-man squad, which plays Australia
PARTY-goers are invited to dance the night away at a special disco evening in aid of charity at the Chicago Rock Caf in Worcester next week. The New Street bar is opening its doors from 8pm on Wednesday, July 27, for the event to raise money for St Richard's
THERE was plenty for manager Dave Busst to ponder over after his Evesham United side started a hectic pre-season campaign with a 2-1 win at Alvechurch on Tuesday night, writes Mervyn Collins. The action on the pitch at Lye Meadow wasn't the prettiest
CANCER patients throughout Worcestershire are being forced to bear the massive financial burden of changes in NHS treatment according to a report launched today by Macmillan Cancer Relief. Free At The Point Of Delivery? revealed that cancer patients are
THERE was a time when it was impossible to open your newspaper or turn on the TV without being confronted with stories about Aids. From the time Rock Hudson died from an Aids-related illness back in 1985, media attention on this horrific condition intensified
A KEEN gardener and propagator from Malvern is delighted at the sell-out success of a plant sale to raise money for St Richard's Hospice. Peter Lodge, of Stocks Lane, Newland, sold about 350 plants which he propagated from his own garden with some additional
BROMSGROVE Rovers start and end a testing pre-season schedule with two difficult derby matches this summer. Jimmy Mullen's side is set to test their mettle against ferocious derby foes Kidderminster Harriers, Paul Merson's Walsall and Redditch United
Bromsgrove Rovers (0) 2 Kidderminster Harriers (4) 4 FORMER Bromsgrove Rovers player Martin O'Connor made a triumphant return to the Victoria Ground as the home side were tested thoroughly by Kidderminster on Wednesday, July 13. Former Birmingham City
FIXTURES (Provisional) The Travel Factory Midland Football Alliance Saturday, August 13, Malvern Town v Chasetown (3.00). Tuesday, August 16, Stratford Town v Malvern Town (7.45). Saturday, August 20, Tipton Town v Malvern Town (3.00). Tuesday, August
Bromsgrove Rovers (0) 0 Moor Green (0) 1 ROVERS can count themselves unlucky as they slumped to their third friendly defeat at the Victoria Ground last night (July 19). Despite their best performance of pre-season, an error by trialist right back Neil
A YOUNG musician from Fernhill Heath near Worcester who is studying at London's Royal Academy of Music is to tour with the European Youth Orchestra. Shulah Oliver will spend five weeks travelling around Portugal, Germany, Holland, and Ireland before performing
A NURSE who took an overdose after a night out drinking had been sexually abused in the past and left notes in her journal stating "my rapist should have killed me". Gillian Edwards was "clearly depressed" and had also been struggling to come to terms
THE country church at Tardebigge will be filled with glorious singing by international performers on Sunday week, July 31 (3pm). Richard Sisson, the pianist half of Kit and the Widow, will be bringing along his SongBook and three singers, a singing actor
TWO cases of wine are being offered to anyone who can track down a new treasurer for Malvern Citizens Advice Bureau. The offer is being made by the current treasurer, David Myring, who wants to step down. "It would be ideal for someone who has a financial
THE Nunnery Wood High School annual awards evening celebrated this year's achievements. Headteacher Alun Williams said the evening was an opportunity to recognise talent, effort and hard work. "I'm so proud of each student who received an award this year
BLOCKLEY Sports and Social Club's hockey players can't wait for the new winter season to start after earning promotion last term. The Cotswold club hit back just a season after relegation from Severn League Division Two to instantly regain its status
DROITWICH High School won Bromsgrove Cricket Club's under-14s tournament last Friday (July 15). YOUNG AND GIFTED: Teams from the area played in Bromsgrove Cricket Club's under-14s tournament. Spa defeated South Bromsgrove High School by five wickets.
Barnt Green 250 all out, Old Hill 248 all out Barnt Green win by two runs CAPTAIN Richard Illingworth put Barnt Green firmly back in contention for championship, as they narrowly edged past Old Hill in the Birmingham and District League Premier on Saturday
Exclusive interview By Mat Kendrick KIDDERMINSTER Harriers' first president for almost 40 years, Colin Youngjohns, is hoping for a healthier future for himself and the club as he hands over the boardroom hotseat to Barry Norgrove. It is no secret that
