Archive

  • 14/6/06 - County stick by their winning team

    WORCESTERSHIRE will be hoping for another impressive batting performance when they face Essex in a Liverpool Victoria County Champion-ship division two match at Chelmsford today (11am). Steve Rhodes' men piled up a huge 618 when they took on Somerset

  • 14/6/06 - Warriors snap up Argentinian star

    WORCESTER Warriors have strengthened their midfield by signing Argentinian international centre Miguel Avra-movic on a one-year contract. The 25-year-old, who has been playing for the Alumni Rugby Club in Argentina, will join up with the Warriors in

  • National race

    FIVE Echelon Cycles riders competed at the national 25-mile time trial championship in Warwickshire with Gavin Poupart finishing 32nd. Meanwhile, Paul Dring, riding his first 50-mile time trial, finished first in South Wales in one hour 51 minutes 46

  • Dolphins dazzle

    DROITWICH Dolphins upset the form book with a sensational victory in the Mercian League second round which featured 14 wins and 14 second places. The town team beat Stratford Sharks into first place with an impressive 15-point winning margin. Holly

  • Bryan and Walsh are among runs for Spa

    PAUL Bryan and Steve Walsh helped Droitwich Spa Firsts keep up their impressive Fearnley Factory Shop Worcestershire Sunday Club League form. Bryan struck 103 and Walsh 70 as the leaders piled up 308-5 against Bromsgrove who were dismissed for 236 in

  • Openers seal huge victory for Himbleton

    AN amazing stand of 192 for the first wicket between Sean Jenkins (104) and Matt McCann (88) took Himbleton to a massive 212-3 in their Worcester Evening Cricket League division one match against Birlingham. In reply, Birlingham could only muster 89

  • Ruth excels in the heat to take Welsh challenge

    WORCESTER Triathlon Club's Ruth Heatley gave one of her best racing displays in the Man Versus Horse Marathon. The race is unique in the sports calendar and was voted second in the British off-road marathon races by the Runners World magazine. It

  • Tag rugby helping to ensure sport's future

    YOUNGSTERS from Whittington CofE School spent a day learning the rugby skills they would need to be Worcester's stars of the future. As part of the Sportsmatch Tag Rugby scheme, the Worcester Warriors community team have delivered a structured program

  • Warriors snap up Argentinian star

    WORCESTER Warriors have strengthened their midfield by signing Argentinian international centre Miguel Avra-movic on a one-year contract. The 25-year-old, who has been playing for the Alumni Rugby Club in Argentina, will join up with the Warriors in

  • County stick by their winning team

    WORCESTERSHIRE will be hoping for another impressive batting performance when they face Essex in a Liverpool Victoria County Champion-ship division two match at Chelmsford today (11am). Steve Rhodes' men piled up a huge 618 when they took on Somerset

  • Ken's a temp in a million

    A TOP temp from Worcester has cracked open the bubbly after being recognised for his hard work at an awards ceremony. Ken Fyfe, who currently works for construction designers and draftsmen Blue Print, was named Temp In A Million at an awards ceremony

  • Revamp of hotel centre complete

    ONE of Worcestershire's leading hotel and conference centres has unveiled the results of the £600,000 refurbishment it began earlier this year. In February, Dormy House Hotel near Broadway, which aims to attract business tourism to the county, announced

  • Charity loses as bagmen cash in

    Worcester charities are losing money because profit-making businesses are misleading generous people with cleverly worded leaflets. Acorns Children's Hospice said its fund-raising was being affected by some collectors who deliver leaflets or collection

  • TM is shortlisted for haulage `Oscar'

    TM Logistics, part of Taylors of Martley, has been short-listed as Haulier of the Year in the Motor Transport Awards 2006, the `Oscars' of the industry. Based near Worcester, TM Logistics is one of four finalists vying for the coveted title, which attracted

  • The present is another country

    SIR - Talking of modern technology, John Phillpott (June 3), I have a black- and-white TV (£10, second-hand), an LP player (£30, second-hand) no washing machine no hoover or computer. GEORGE COWLEY, Worcester.

  • All hands on deck for naval reunion

    SIR - A short while ago you printed a letter from me about the Royal Naval Electrical Branch Association commemorating the 60th Anniversary of its formation. It just goes to show how popular letters pages are in the local papers, because the response

  • Casualty rates and question of morals

    SIR - Apparently, the police are engaged in a search for deadly bombs of Anthrax or something comparable. In the search process one suspect individual was injured, probably by an accomplice. As usual, the usual suspect so-called do-gooders are more concerned

  • Disgraceful attack on ordinary person

    SIR - I am not a BNP member and never have been, but after this disgraceful Blairist attack on an ordinary member of the public, who knows? It seems that we - all of us - are at the mercy of this Government's fascist authorities. We have a local man

  • Many people will now feel anxious

    SIR - The proposed expansion of Worcester by 10,000 homes will provide copy for Worcester News for years to come, but anxiety for the thousands whose little bit of England may become eclipsed by the plans. Houses have to be built somewhere, and "you cannot

  • Alarm bells sounding across county's fields

    SIR - Your front-page story "10,000 homes on city's green belt" (June 7) must ring alarm bells for anyone concerned with Worcester's future, and your editorial headlined "A greenfield armageddon is looming" takes exactly the right line. While no

  • When a gift is someone else's profit

    WHEN is a charity not a charity? Perhaps when the intended beneficiaries are obliged to part with some money - even a token amount - in exchange for goods. It saddens us to indulge in hair-splitting such as this, but judging by our front page story today

  • I'll fight closure of ward, says MP

    MID-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff has put the proposed closure of the Macmillan cancer unit beds at Evesham Community Hospital at the top of his campaigning agenda against health cuts. South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust Board members agreed last

  • Cat was rescued from the dustbin

    AN incredible cat from Droitwich is to go whisker to whisker with other felines after being shortlisted for a rescue award. Ming Ming's journey started in Spain, when her current owner, Mary Leach, discovered her in a bin. The cat, who was about six

  • The race is now on to collect the cash

    THOUSANDS of Race for Life runners are being urged to remember the race to the fund-raising finishing line has only just begun. Organisers of Worcester's Cancer Research UK event have urged the 5,500 women and girls who took part on Sunday to hand in

  • More stars may follow Sir Elton to New Road

    MORE music superstars could be heading for Worcester following the storming success of Elton John's concert at the weekend. More than 17,000 people were at Worcestershire County Cricket Ground on Sunday to see the Rocket Man belt out his hits. Now

  • Counties' fire service wins third-best in Britain rating

    HEREFORD and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service has beaten targets in four key areas in the last year. Based on 19 performance indicators, Hereford and Worcester was third best performing in a league table of fire and rescue services in England. It has

  • 2,000 officers would lose jobs in force merger

    A POLICE merger would have a massive impact on finances and would result in more than 2,000 officers losing their jobs. That was the warning from the chairman of West Mercia Police Authority, Paul Deneen, who revealed there would be a £220m shortfall

  • Pay up, or lose your car

    DRIVERS have been warned to pay their road tax or risk seeing their pride and joy crushed into bits of metal. West Mercia has become the eighth police force in England and Wales to take on devolved powers from the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing

  • Flight for teacher who taught pilot and his son

    A teacher with a head for heights took to the skies to mark the end of an era. When Ann Eyles retired from Upton Snodsbury CE First School, her colleagues were determined to give her a leaving present she would never forget, so they enlisted the help

  • The dog lovers who condemn their pets to a lingering death

    TWO dogs had to be rescued on Monday after being left in sweltering conditions inside a car. RSPCA officers had to formally warn the owner of the car, parked at the Three Counties Showground during the Three Counties Championship Dog Show, after the

  • A warm welcome in church

    A NEW churchwarden is hoping his place of worship will become the best meeting place it can be. Ian Thompson, aged 61, of Hanbury Park Road, began his new role as St John's in Bedwardine churchwarden less than two weeks ago. The retired health service

  • Staying alive!

    ONE of the country's best Bees Gees tribute acts strut their funky stuff at the Artrix on Saturday, June 17 (8pm start). They'll be plenty of Saturday Night Fever at the School Drive venue when Bee Gees Fever recreate the Australian trio's flamboyant

  • Mayall makes merry

    Review: The New Statesman - The Blair B'Stard Project at the Alexandra Theatre until Friday RIK Mayall makes a triumphant return as the scheming politician that everybody loves to hate. While it's been nearly 14 years since he last played money-grabbing

  • Stand by to be dazzled

    THE smash hit musical, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, is a glorious romp and a brimful of hand clapping, effervescent energy, dazzling dance routines and 16 smash hit songs and it's on at Malvern Theatres from June 26 prior to its run in the West End

  • What's On Guide

    Wednesday, June 14 Music Technology Students of NEW College present The Best Show In The World Ever, Artrix, Bromsgrove. Free tickets available from the box office. A Taste of Honey, Festival Theatre, Malvern Theatres. Until June 17. Tickets on www.malvern-theatres.co.uk

  • Play staged outdoors

    THEATRE fans can enjoy a picnic while they watch an open air performance of the classic Romeo and Juliet next weekend. MDCC Theatre Company will be starting its summer tour at Redditch's Forge Mill Museum next Saturday and Sunday. Petrina Muscroft, a

  • Adult humour at Alex

    BIRMINGHAM welcomes back adult comedian Roy "Chubby" Brown. The star is due to perform next week at the Alexandra Theatre from Monday until Wednesday, June 21. After being diagnosed with throat cancer in 2002, Brown has fought back with the support from

  • Powerful new dance

    HAILED as the "new face of British dance theatre", physical theatre group Stan Won't Dance presents its powerful new work at Malvern Theatres. The group performs its original and unique piece, Sinner, at the Forum Theatre tomorrow and Friday. It starts

  • Firey dance spins into the county

    FANS of Latin American dance are in for a treat when Flamenco Express performs at Worcester's Swan Theatre on Friday, June 16. The company inject even more passion into an already tempestuous style of dance by giving the best performers around artistic

  • Jerseys return to show

    THE hugely popular Three Counties Show opens its annual three day run at Malvern this Friday and there's considerable delight that the Jersey cow, the second most popular breed in the world, is making a return after an absence of six years. On top of

  • DVD - North Country (15)

    NEWLY separated from her abusive husband, single mother Josey Aimes (Charlize Theron) packs her suitcases, grabs her two children - young daughter Karen (Elle Peterson) and teenage son Sammy (Thomas Curtis) - and heads back to Northern Minnesota to start

  • Captain calls for more from the reigning champions

    WITH a crucial weekend of fixtures ahead Barnt Green CC captain Simon Froggatt has demanded an improvement from his out of form side. Barnt Green go into crucial league and cup matches on the back of two defeats and are also suffering poor form. The Birmingham

  • Opera night

    IT will be a case of opera in the aisles on Saturday when a concert performance takes place at Belbroughton's Holy Trinity Church. Members of the Kidderminster Choral Society will be performing Gilbert and Sullivan's The Gondoliers, in which the soloists

  • Driver's window was smashed

    A DRIVER had the window of his lorry smashed near the Q8 service station on Alcester Road, Beoley. Police believe a group of youths could be responsible for throwing the rock at the white Renault truck on June 2 at 12.55pm. They were seen in a nearby

  • Mayall makes merry

    Review: The New Statesman - The Blair B'Stard Project at the Alexandra Theatre until Friday RIK Mayall makes a triumphant return as the scheming politician that everybody loves to hate. While it's been nearly 14 years since he last played money-grabbing

  • A warm welcome in church

    A NEW churchwarden is hoping his place of worship will become the best meeting place it can be. Ian Thompson, aged 61, of Hanbury Park Road, began his new role as St John's in Bedwardine churchwarden less than two weeks ago. The retired health service

  • Bowden takes the plaudits

    SEAN Bowden was a leading light for Bromsgrove and Redditch Athletic Club (B&R) in the Track and Field League at Yate. Bowden was the team's star performer, winning the under-15s 1500 metres in four minutes and 26.5 seconds. He also set a personal

  • Hollands headache

    SIMON Hollands faces a selection headache this weekend when his Exhall & Wixford cricket side gear up for a 'must win' weekend. The reigning Cotswold Hills Premier Division champions take on title riivals Bretforton for a crunch league clash on Saturday

  • Podium is the target

    BUILDBASE team boss Dave Worthington admits he will be disappointed if at least one of his riders isn't on the podium when the British Superstocks role into action again this weekend. The Redditch-based outfit has had some wretched luck over the past

  • Darters shine

    DARTS: Struggling Seven Stars shone in Division A of the Astwood Bank Summer League, beating Mount Pleasant 6-3. There was no change at the other end of the table though where top two Church Hill A and Nomads both recorded convincing wins. In the B Division

  • Ladies on top

    GOLF: Redditch Ladies won their friendly with Enville 3-1at Redditch but lost 4- at Fulford Heath in their Droitwich League match. The club's Juniors lost 3-1 at Halesowen in their Junior West Midlands League fixture. The men fared no better with the

  • Arrows bid

    REDDITCH Arrows take on Reading Renegades at Kings Norton RFC on Sunday (2.30pm) looking for a fifth straight win. The Arrows should be too strong for their visitors but will be without lineman Trevor Ballinger.

  • Cricket Stand-ins shine in away success

    STAND-IN skipper Neal Radford and the returning Mike Granacki were the stars as Evesham recorded an excellent Birmingham Premier League win at Pelsall last Saturday. Captain Barry Clements was unable to travel but his charges did him proud with openers

  • Tricky in the heat

    A HOT and sunny day, coupled with a steady breeze, provided Evesham members with a fine afternoon's sport when a tricky course set by race officer Stuart Bonham gave competitors plenty to think about. Ian Haywood led off the line in the first race but

  • Jerry - and charity - are the winners at Lake contest

    Evesham and District Disabled AC JERRY Akerman failed to defend his title last Sunday when 14 members fished the annual Charity Match at Jim's Lake. The 2005 winner could only manage third place with a net weighing 22lbs that was more than 13 behind the

  • Never trail

    NORGREN was the venue when the South Warwickshire Associ-ation faced the Kineton and Dist-rict League. The home side led throughout a match that they eventually won 123-95. The highest winning rink was skipped by Dave Harding and also included Alan Jones

  • Red reverse leads to dose of blues!

    BROADWAY'S week got off to a bad start when the Red team lost to Oldminster in the Double Rink competition by one shot when a 15-shot victory by Phil Taylor was negated by Brian Ford's 16-shot loss. Broadway entertained Entaco last Saturday and were comprehensively

  • T-remendous! Tina and Teresa are star scullers

    TWO of Evesham's top senior women rowers won gold at last Sunday's National Veterans Championships at the National Watersports Centre in Nottingham. The double of Teresa Roberts and Tina Bonham put clear water between them and York BC in the A Double

  • Cassey claims top award after tough time on track

    CASSEY Watson's race weekend in the blistering heat at Brands Hatch was certainly a mix of highs and lows. The weekend looked to be over early two laps into free practice on Saturday morning when a drive shaft broke and punched a hole in the gearbox.

  • Ali the hero as Overbury snatch thrilling success

    WHILE Bretforton and Exhall and Wixford were notching up the most emphatic of victories, third-placed Overbury were featuring in a thriller at Moreton. Overbury's win was achieved in amazing fashion when Ali Munro stepped up to bowl the last over with

  • Leaders tighten grip at top flight summit

    STRATFORD increased their lead at the top of the Prudden Road Surfacing League after closest rivals Studley lost 3-1 at home to Shipston. The section leaders, mea-nwhile, got the better of third-placed Claverdon 4-0 to open up a formidable gap at the

  • Rankings event leads to an increase in entries

    SINCE the LTA introduced rankings last year for all players that compete in tournaments, the increase in entries has shown a remarkable upturn. Entries for the annual rankings tournament at Littletons, sponsored by R Sinclair Transport, doubled from last

  • New trophy for the winners

    FOUNDER Members and invited guests played in the above inaugural event, to celebrate the opening of the Vale Golf and Country Club in June 1991. The futuristic trophy, played for by 57 members, was presented by John McGowan, founder captain, Fiona Mitc-hell

  • Single point success

    LEAGUE team captain Peter Sumner and visiting partner Graham Tweeney topped the Stableford standings at Bro-adway's Men's Invitation. The pair amassed 45 points to win by just one from Jess Enderby and Duncan Carter who finished runners-up on countback

  • Four in a row for Stuart

    STUART Ridley was crowned club champion at Evesham last weekend for the fourth successive year. An immaculately prepared course produced a fine stage for the annual 36-hole tournament that saw a big field endeavouring to book a place in Sunday's final

  • 100 years ago - June 16, 1906

    A FIFTEEN year old boy of Red Lion Street, Redditch, was charged with stealing a loaf of bread of the value of two pence. Police Constable Bonnell said he saw defendant come from one of the ladies baker's carts, which was standing in an open shed. He

  • New schools enter league

    THIRTY teams from primary schools will take part in next season's Cotswold Floorball League. The increase in numbers has necessitated a split into six boys'/mixed divisions and two girls' divisions. Matches will be slightly shorter at this stage to enable

  • Royal show from Daniel

    WORCESTER Triathlon Club's Daniel Keen produced another excellent performance on Sunday morning at the prestigious Royal Windsor Triathlon. Racing in the shorter sprint event held before the elite longer distance race, the Vale teenager beat off almost

  • Piranha third at TT

    EVESHAM based Piranha Yamaha Racing team and TT partners Bui-ldbase finished third in their first attempt at the Isle of Man Super-sports Junior TT. John McGuinness confirmed his place in TT history with a tenth win on the island while setting a new lap

  • Where to go

    Wednesday, June 14 THEATRE: The New Statesman - The Blair B'Stard Project, Alexandra Theatre, Suffolk, Street, Birmingham (until June 17). MUSIC: The Best Show in the World Ever, Artrix, School Drive, Bromsgrove. MUSIC: Igorfest: Fairytale Stravinsky,

  • 50 years ago - June 15, 1956

    THE Alma Inn on Ipsley Street is now closed and will be used for housing and social purposes. It was reported to Redditch Urban District Council's Estates Committee on Monday. The surveyor, Mr E Buckley, stated in his report that he had now obtained the

  • 25 years ago - June 12, 1981

    A SHORTAGE of youngsters has forced Worcestershire Education chiefs to scrap plans for a £600,000 school in Crabbs Cross. Now land next to Harry Taylor First School -- bought for £210,000 in 1979 -- will be sold off if proposals to drop the scheme go

  • Mums put on musical

    TWO mums who met in a Bromsgrove school playground have teamed up to produce the first Jane Austen musical, to be staged at the Artrix next weekend. After meeting at Bromsgrove Pre-prep school, where their children attend, Geetika Lizardi and Michelle

  • Adult humour at Alex

    BIRMINGHAM welcomes back adult comedian Roy "Chubby" Brown. The star is due to perform next week at the Alexandra Theatre from Monday until Wednesday, June 21. After being diagnosed with throat cancer in 2002, Brown has fought back with the support from

  • League woe follows an easy knockout passage

    AFTER making easy progress into the semi-finals of the Worcestershire County League Knockout Cup, Pershore were unable to take that form into Saturday's league game against Droitwich. The visitors rattled up a daunting 275-6 - a total that proved out

  • Charity cricket contest

    FORMER Worcestershire all-rounder David Leatherdale is expected to captain Ray Juli-an's XI at Birlingham on Sunday. Profits from the match will go towards replacing the club's ancient scoreboard and other improvements to facilities at the club. Several

  • 14/6/06 - County stick by their winning team

    WORCESTERSHIRE will be hoping for another impressive batting performance when they face Essex in a Liverpool Victoria County Champion-ship division two match at Chelmsford today (11am). Steve Rhodes' men piled up a huge 618 when they took on Somerset

  • Tag rugby helping to ensure sport's future

    YOUNGSTERS from Whittington CofE School spent a day learning the rugby skills they would need to be Worcester's stars of the future. As part of the Sportsmatch Tag Rugby scheme, the Worcester Warriors community team have delivered a structured program

  • Openers seal huge victory for Himbleton

    AN amazing stand of 192 for the first wicket between Sean Jenkins (104) and Matt McCann (88) took Himbleton to a massive 212-3 in their Worcester Evening Cricket League division one match against Birlingham. In reply, Birlingham could only muster 89-7

  • National race

    FIVE Echelon Cycles riders competed at the national 25-mile time trial championship in Warwickshire with Gavin Poupart finishing 32nd. Meanwhile, Paul Dring, riding his first 50-mile time trial, finished first in South Wales in one hour 51 minutes 46

  • 10/06/06 - Bromsgrove's runs dry up as Walmley win

    Bromsgrove 204 all out Walmley 208-3 Bromsgrove lost by seven wickets BROMSGROVE'S batsmen were taught a lesson in how to score runs by Tariq Mohammed as his century steered Walmley to victory in the Birmingham and District League Division One. The Boars

  • 10/06/06 - Ombersley make it two with Worcester win

    Worcester 129 all out Ombersley 130-3 Ombersley won by seven wickets RUTHLESS Ombersley made it two wins in a row in the Birmingham and District League with a clinical victory over Worcester on Saturday. A fine all round performance helped promoted Ombersley

  • Fixtures

    Saturday, June 17 Birmingham and District League - Premier Division: West Bromwich Dartmouth v Barnt Green (1pm start). Division One: Bromsgrove v Stratford-Upon-Avon (1pm start). Division Three: Whitchurch v Ombersley (1p, start). Worcestershire County

  • Junior teams are too strong for their rivals

    BARNT Green CC's under-14s beat Old Edwardians by 92 runs in the East Worcestershire League last week. Half centuries for Eastgate and Lewis (who had to retire hurt) made sure Green's young guns made 155-6 in 20 overs. Three wickets for Dudley and two

  • Pay up, or lose your car

    DRIVERS have been warned to pay their road tax or risk seeing their pride and joy crushed into bits of metal. West Mercia has become the eighth police force in England and Wales to take on devolved powers from the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

  • Counties' fire service wins third-best in Britain rating

    HEREFORD and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service has beaten targets in four key areas in the last year. Based on 19 performance indicators, Hereford and Worcester was third best performing in a league table of fire and rescue services in England. It has

  • The race is now on to collect the cash

    THOUSANDS of Race for Life runners are being urged to remember the race to the fund-raising finishing line has only just begun. Organisers of Worcester's Cancer Research UK event have urged the 5,500 women and girls who took part on Sunday to hand in

  • Cat was rescued from the dustbin

    AN incredible cat from Droitwich is to go whisker to whisker with other felines after being shortlisted for a rescue award. Ming Ming's journey started in Spain, when her current owner, Mary Leach, discovered her in a bin. The cat, who was about six months

  • 2,000 officers would lose jobs in force merger

    A POLICE merger would have a massive impact on finances and would result in more than 2,000 officers losing their jobs. That was the warning from the chairman of West Mercia Police Authority, Paul Deneen, who revealed there would be a £220m shortfall

  • Ken's a temp in a million

    A TOP temp from Worcester has cracked open the bubbly after being recognised for his hard work at an awards ceremony. Ken Fyfe, who currently works for construction designers and draftsmen Blue Print, was named Temp In A Million at an awards ceremony

  • Revamp of hotel centre complete

    ONE of Worcestershire's leading hotel and conference centres has unveiled the results of the £600,000 refurbishment it began earlier this year. In February, Dormy House Hotel near Broadway, which aims to attract business tourism to the county, announced

  • TM is shortlisted for haulage 'Oscar'

    TM Logistics, part of Taylors of Martley, has been short-listed as Haulier of the Year in the Motor Transport Awards 2006, the 'Oscars' of the industry. Based near Worcester, TM Logistics is one of four finalists vying for the coveted title, which attracted

  • Clarke back at the Valley

    FORMER Redditch United skipper Matt Clarke is set to make a dramatic return to the Valley Stadium. The former Hereford United defender left the club at Christmas to link up with Nationwide Conference North rivals Stafford Rangers. Budget cuts and a public

  • Carnival capers

    TO all at the Advertiser/Messenger thank you for all your help with the carnival. May I say what a privilege it has been to join in the fun and laughter helping carnival chairman Jeff Evans, his wife Jules, and the carnival committee to arrange this year's

  • Plea for everyone to take part as town carnival draws near

    FOR the last four years my two children and I have taken part in the parade for the Bromsgrove Carnival. We have thoroughly enjoyed dressing up and raising money for the hospital. We have also felt proud to be part of the community of Bromsgrove - the

  • Pub parking

    AS a local resident, and a parent of children that have attended Charford First School, I am writing with regard to the problem of parking at the Sugarbrook. I am in agreement with the pub as this has been a problem for some years! The school has sent

  • Commercial recycling

    WHILE the good residents of Bromsgrove have - and are making - every effort to recycle their household and garden rubbish, what of commercial outlets? The question I've been asking is - 'What happens to the contents of the commercial wheely bins and skips

  • Well done!

    MY grandaughter recently invited my husband and myself to watch her boyfriend bungee jump. The event was held in the grounds of a local pub.The seventeen year old completed his jump from a cage suspended at the top of a very high crane. It was a sponsored

  • Reply sought

    I WASN'T surprised to read in the Advertiser/Messenger that Bromsgrove District Council leader, Roger Hollingworth, attended only 32 meetings out of 50. I have sent numerous e-mails to him regarding lack of street cleaning in Wythall but have yet to receive

  • 'Far from disgruntled'

    I CONGRATULATE Dr Richards for his recent letter outlining a brief history of the ills of the Conservative group on Bromsgrove District Council. His comments on the Independents are not, however, quite accurate. The Independents are not disgruntled Conservatives

  • Selective

    I AM fascinated by Nicky McNougher's letter regarding our Member of Parliament, Julie Kirkbride, tirelessly working away for those poor souls who had 'Iatrogenic spinal injuries'. Please forgive me, but isn't that what we pay her for? It seems clear that

  • Reasons for bus use drop

    THE recent story under the heading - Off the buses - provided some food for thought. I think I can suggest to Lorna Phillips and her colleagues on the council a couple of reasons why bus use has dropped in Bromsgrove. For a significant period the main

  • Poor welcome home for this war hero

    READERS may be interested to know that on June 4 I took my 83-year-old father, Bert Beddows, on a four day visit to Normandy. His first visit had been by sea on June 6, 1944, where as part of 3 Commando he received a very warm welcome from the German

  • New dance looks at shadowy side

    A DARK thread runs through experimental dance company Stan Won't Dance's new performance, Sinner, which is on at Malvern Theatres on June 15 and 16. The show mixes modern dance and terrorism in an explosive mix of choreography, design and video. Sinner

  • City is turned into mythical fairy land

    BIRMINGHAM city centre will be transformed to a mythical land by arts company HamFisted! on June 22 and 23. The arts company have taken the fairy themes from William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream and melded them with a host of performing arts

  • Spadesbourne Ladies Club

    FIFTY-six members of the Spadesbourne Ladies Club of Bromsgrove met to enjoy the June meeting. Hazel Sheffield, formerly Hazel Maddox, wrote to thank the club members for the wedding present of garden vouchers. We all wish her well and lots of happiness

  • Jerseys return to show

    THE hugely popular Three Counties Show opens its annual three day run at Malvern this Friday and there's considerable delight that the Jersey cow, the second most popular breed in the world, is making a return after an absence of six years. On top of

  • Bromsgrove Railway Club

    BACK to the good old days of steam. We carry on with this theme for our June club meeting. We will be having a cine film show with John Constable entitled BR steam 1940 to 1990. John, who comes from Redditch, has an excellent collection of films dating

  • Wychbold Flower Club

    WE met in the village hall for a demonstration by Margaret Walker, who had worked a musical theme into her presentations. Margaret's elegant presentation, laced with humour and tales of her experiences, made for an evening of delight and Ruth, our chairman

  • Barnt Green Garden Society

    THE May meeting was largely taken up by the AGM in which reports from the various officers showed that the society is in a fairly healthy state, although we are always happy to welcome new members. The AGM was followed by a plant sale and social evening

  • Ravens swoop

    Redditch Ravens 38 Coventry Bears 22 REDDITCH Ravens bounced back in style from their recent heavy defeats to record a deserved win against the Coventry Bears. Playing in stifling conditions, the Ravens started confidently with Paul Moffat bursting through

  • Redditch made to pay the price

    DROPPED catches may have cost Redditch victory in their Division Three clash at table-topping St Georges on Saturday but skipper Nev Mason remains confident for the remainder of the season. An excellent 95 from opener Joe Hill was the highlight for the

  • Problems are not over yet

    HOPES that Bromsgrove District Council may emerge from the problems which have beset it for two years in time for next spring's local elections appear to be fading. The target had been set by council chiefs. However, it now seems likely that the authority

  • Pub could be a 'white elephant'

    THE company threatening to close a Bromsgrove village pub has submitted plans for the site, but it has been warned that it might have a 'white elephant' on its hands. It has emerged that planning regulations may prevent owners Saveinvestments from carrying

  • Grant boost for leisure centre

    STAFF at a Rubery leisure centre are celebrating after it received £4,000 from the Awards for All scheme. The Rubery Leisure and Community Centre, in Holywell Lane, will use the grant to carry out a survey to determine the needs of the community and establish

  • Hewell mark time

    FRIENDS will be reunited this weekend when Hewell Cricket Club celebrates its 150th anniversary with a game between sides past and present. The team, who currently play in Division Four of the Worcestershire League, will take on the past masters on Sunday

  • Brave cat in line for a top award

    A SPA moggy could be the cat that gets the cream in a top contest. Shortlisted Rescue Cat of the Year Awards entrant, Ming Ming could scoop the Most Incredible Story at a ceremony on July 6. The event has been organised by the UK's leading feline welfare

  • CD - The Garden - Zero 7

    MELLOW out this summer with this excellent album from electro wizards Sam Hardaker and Henry Binns. The pair's third release under the guise of Zero 7 has plenty going for it. Soulful Swedish strummer Jose Gonzalez and Aussie songstress Sia Fuller impress

  • CD - Mishmaoul - Natacha Atlas

    ANYONE looking for a handy guide to the complexities of world music should start right here. Novices looking for an atlas to help them away from music's beaten track need look no further than Natacha Atlas, this Middle Eastern siren whose career has seen

  • 25 years ago June 12,1981

    NURSES employed at Bromsgrove's Barnsley Hall Hospital complained at feeling degraded at having to be evicted by the courts from their tied health authority homes in order to get on the council house waiting list. A spokesman for Bromsgrove council, which

  • I'm not asking much from life

    A WINYATES East woman is desperately trying to raise thousands of pounds for treatment which may restore some of the quality of life she had stolen from her by a terrible disease. Maria Maserata has been living with the disabling neurological illness

  • Prison not fit for either sex

    I WRITE in support of comments made by the Bishop of Worcester and Bishop for Prisons, the Rt Rev Dr Peter Selby, concerning Brockhill Prison. Dr Selby is right to express concern that Brockhill, currently holding women inmates, is to be re-roled into

  • Town gateway an eyesore

    A PAIR of town centre landlords have called for a clean-up campaign in Redditch. Sue Sumner and Paul Thomas, joint licensees of the Golden Cross pub, are concerned by the condition of the area around the railway station, especially graffiti. "When visitors

  • 'Tactless' Alex party is scrapped

    A PARTY being organised to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Alexandra Hospital has been cancelled amid controversy that it was a "tactless" idea when uncertainty still surrounds the future of many jobs. But one of the hospital's matrons, Joanne Mitchell

  • Petition plea on road risks

    SAFETY-conscious residents in Alvechurch have taken the next step in their fight for traffic calming in the village. Postmaster Saed Ahari has started a petition for extra measures at the junction of Bear Hill and Red Lion Street after a spate of recent

  • Disabled mum's housing misery

    A DISABLED Lakeside mum claims Redditch Council has broken promises made to find her a new home -- despite telling her she lives in an uninhabitable house. Tracie Eaton, 34, was told four weeks ago that her Kingsley Avenue council house was unfit to live

  • Travellers' camp ruins sports day

    A HEADLESS Cross mum is calling for better measures to stop travellers setting up camps in the town after their arrival meant her son's sporting event had to be transfered to a Bromgrove venue. Elizabeth Stuart said her son and his friends from Walkwood

  • Builder fined for benefit fraud

    A CHURCH Hill man was fined £200 by Redditch Magistrates for benefit fraud. Colin Badger, of Northleach Close, pleaded guilty to failing to declare he had worked on a self-employed basis within the construction industry for four weeks in 2004. The case

  • All hands on deck for naval reunion

    SIR - A short while ago you printed a letter from me about the Royal Naval Electrical Branch Association commemorating the 60th Anniversary of its formation. It just goes to show how popular letters pages are in the local papers, because the response

  • Drivers abusing bus lane

    I READ with interest that Redditch police are going to find the manpower to enforce the ''no alcohol'' restriction in Church Green. While they are there, perhaps they might be able to enforce the restrictions on using the bus lane at the top of Easemore

  • Little trouble on match day

    DESPITE World Cup fever at the weekend, Redditch revellers stayed trouble-free, police have reported. Sgt Julian Smith said that as expected, pubs in the town centre were very busy on Saturday due to both the hot weather and the football. "There were

  • Casualty rates and question of morals

    SIR - Apparently, the police are engaged in a search for deadly bombs of Anthrax or something comparable. In the search process one suspect individual was injured, probably by an accomplice. As usual, the usual suspect so-called do-gooders are more concerned

  • Foreign affairs

    AS if to emphasize the constant unpreparedness of Labour ministers, particularly at a time when a top-notch statesman is required to handle the job, new Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett has admitted she is in at the deep end and flying by the seat of

  • Many people will now feel anxious

    SIR - The proposed expansion of Worcester by 10,000 homes will provide copy for Worcester News for years to come, but anxiety for the thousands whose little bit of England may become eclipsed by the plans. Houses have to be built somewhere, and "you cannot

  • Jacqui tipped

    A SUNDAY newspaper has tipped Redditch MP Jacqui Smith to replace John Prescott as Deputy Prime Minister. The Mail on Sunday's Black Dog political column said Ms Smith, who was made Chief Whip in last month's Cabinet reshuffle, had emerged as a "surprise

  • Alcester U3A

    THE June meeting began with congratulations to Margaret and Eric Portman on their golden wedding anniversary; other celebrations this month include the signing of Magna Carta in 1215 and in 1917 the Royal Family changing their name to Windsor. The outing

  • When a gift is someone else's profit

    WHEN is a charity not a charity? Perhaps when the intended beneficiaries are obliged to part with some money - even a token amount - in exchange for goods. It saddens us to indulge in hair-splitting such as this, but judging by our front page story today

  • Bowden sets the standard at Yate

    ATHLETICS: Sean Bowden was a leading light for Bromsgrove and Redditch Athletic Club (B&R) in the Track and Field League at Yate. Bowden was the team's star performer, winning the under-15s 1500 metres in four minutes and 26.5 seconds. He also set

  • Bromsgrove & District Flower Arranging Society

    AT our May meeting, Georgina Burrell gave a very interesting demonstration entitled Country Living, in which she depicted various aspects of country life. Georgina made six beautiful arrangements which were raffled at the end of the afternoon. Our next

  • It's downhill for kids

    PUPILS from Droitwich Spa High School produced ice-cool performances in the hot weather at the Midlands Ski Slope Championships to finish in high places. Over 150 competitors from across the Midlands competed at Telford's ski slope, with students from

  • Redditch Music Society

    MEXICAN guitarist Morgan Szymanski captivated an audience which included many enthusiasts of the instrument at the society's April concert. The programme began with Ponce's Suite in La Mineur, followed by four contrasting pieces by Mangore, culminating

  • Suggitt sails to victory in Wednesday

    SAILING: Bob Suggitt won the dinghies event at Barnt Green Sailing Club's Wednesday Night Pursuit Series last week. He was followed by Rob Lennox in second and Rosemary Preston in third place. John Pullan won the sailboards race, with Robin Brown in second

  • New officers join the beat

    SEVEN new Community Support Officers (CSOs) have joined the Redditch beat. Samantha Ainsworth and Jonathan Duggins have joined the North East sector while Lindon Lloyd and Rachel Wheeler have joined the Central area. South West Redditch will be covered

  • Leaflet campaign

    A FLURRY of leaflets sent out this month is West Mercia Police's next step in the fight against a merger with neighbouring forces. The force is delivering half a million leaflets to households across its area. The move is hoped to encourage people to

  • Horror at works danger

    ANGER turned to horror for Evesham Street residents when gaping holes in the road left by mains repairs became dangerously exposed. Workmen for Severn Trent had placed large steel plates over five 3ft holes when they finished for the day on Friday. At

  • Spare some time to be a volunteer

    REDDITCH'S premier attractions are on the look out for volunteers. Arrow Valley Countryside Centre is seeking people to give a few hours of their spare time to lead and help with its popular Walks for Health scheme. The Battens Drive centre is also looking

  • Battle of the scarecrows

    A STRAW poll suggests this year's Inkberrow Scarecrow competition is going to be just as popular as ever. Entries are now been taken for the annual competition and forms are available from Inkberrow Post Office, The Forge Shop, Inkberrow First School

  • Ark to open

    THE Bishop of Worcester will officially open The Ark in Alvechurch this month. The Rt Rev Dr Peter Selby will be the guest of honour at St Laurence's Church, Bear Hill, on Saturday, June 24.

  • Last four in final battle

    BUDDING Redditch musicmakers have been fighting for a place in the final of this year's Battle of the Bands contest. Kingsley Theatre hosted the heats for the competition and four bands were selected from 11 hopefuls to go forward to the final on Friday

  • Festival to go ahead

    A POPULAR folk festival which was in jeopardy last year is all set to go ahead this weekend. The Alcester and Arden Folk Festival was brought back from the brink by a mystery donation of £4,000 after it struggled to find enough funds to keep it going.

  • Health meeting

    A MEETING to discuss proposed cuts at the Alexandra Hospital will be held at Studley Village Hall on Monday. The meeting is being held jointly by Mappleborough Green Parish Council and Studley Parish Council. Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust chief

  • Child safety event

    PARENTS can find out how to avoid some of the most common childhood accidents at a Redditch Town Hall event. SureStart Redditch is inviting residents along to its "Avoid the worst. Put child safety first" event on Monday from 10am-2pm. Admission is free

  • Starring role at open day

    REDDITCH Fire Station is benefiting from a brand new engine worth £350,000. Station manager Ian Prust said it was kitted out with brand new equipment and added: "It's the newest piece of top-of-the-range stuff." Residents were able to check out the new

  • COOK RUSSELL

    COOK RUSSELL Gemma Cook and Robert Russell would like to announce the Birth of their beautiful baby boy, Conner John Russell, who was born on June 8th, 2006 and weighed in at 8lb 5ozs. We would like to thank all the Staff at Worcestershire

  • JEYNES

    JEYNES Margaret Kathleen Sheila and Family would like to thank Everyone for their support and messages of sympathy. Special thanks to Linda Hart and Mary Banks for arranging the refreshments and to Doreen and George Bishop for all their help

  • COOK

    COOK Marjorie Loving memories of a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother, passed away six years today. Always in our thoughts. Love Doug, Caroline, Stephen and Alex. xxxx Published in paper 14/06/2006

  • FINCH

    FINCH Debbie Fifteen years today. In our hearts you will always stay, Loved and remembered every day. Love Mum, Dad, Craig, Victoria and All the Family. Also remembering Wendy with love. Published in paper 14/06/2006

  • SMITH NSPCC

    SMITH Winifred Grace Gracie Passed away peacefully on June 11th, aged 82 years. Dearest wife of the late George, beloved mother of Marie, Joe and Pat, darling nan of Kara, Joanne, Alison, Rebecca, Natalie, Matthew, Danny, Vicky, Della and Darren

  • Andrews appointed to Droitwich hotseat

    PLAYER Jon Andrews has been named the new director of rugby at Droitwich Spa RFC. Andrews, who has been a stalwart for the side over the last few years, replaces Julian Bailey in the all important role. The change was made at the club's annual general

  • Staying alive!

    ONE of the country's best Bees Gees tribute acts strut their funky stuff at the Artrix on Saturday, June 17 (8pm start). They'll be plenty of Saturday Night Fever at the School Drive venue when Bee Gees Fever recreate the Australian trio's flamboyant

  • Man attacked by youths

    A MAN in his 50s was left with cuts and bruises after he was attacked by a group of youths. He was walking along the footpath behind Matchborough Centre, near the footbridge over the river, between 6pm and 9pm on June 4. A group of boys aged 15-16 walked

  • Stand by to be dazzled

    THE smash hit musical, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, is a glorious romp and a brimful of hand clapping, effervescent energy, dazzling dance routines and 16 smash hit songs and it's on at Malvern Theatres from June 26 prior to its run in the West End

  • Clarke back at the Valley

    FORMER Redditch United skipper Matt Clarke is set to make a dramatic return to the Valley Stadium. The former Hereford United defender left the club at Christmas to link up with Nationwide Conference North rivals Stafford Rangers. Budget cuts and a public

  • Hewell wilting

    A LACKLUSTRE bowling display proved costly for Worcestershire Cricket League, Division Four strugglers Hewell at the weekend. Skipper Dave Mullard played a captain's innings with an unbeaten 84 as his side reached 283-3 against high-fliers Kidderminster

  • Studley title hopes slump

    STUDLEY's hopes of lifting the Division One title took another bashing as they slumped to a 3-1 defeat at home to a Shipston side are now tied in second place. Dave Innes and Gary Jackson produced the team's only win, romping to a 6-0, 6-2 victory over

  • Club cheered by promotion

    THERE have been celebrations in Redditch after the town's oldest squash club clinched promotion. Redditch Squash Club, based at the town's cricket, hockey and rugby club in Bromsgrove Road, finished second in Division Three of the Worcestershire League

  • Willmott in stunning form

    REDDITCH driver Colin Willmott is celebrating after making a succesful debut in the prestigious Britcar European Endurance race around Belgium's Spa circuit. Willmott, together with teammates Barry Benham and Guy Gerrish, finished an excellent second

  • Swimmers are on top form

    YOUNGSTERS from Redditch SC produced some fine displays in the annual ASA Midland Region Championships in Coventry. And leading the way was Dan Ruckwood, who trains with the City of Birmingham Club and who became Midlands Champion in the 200m backstroke

  • Insult adds to injury!

    WHEN Michael Hard-iman limped to the crease with a runner during the final over of last Satu-rday's Cotswold Hills League game, the More-ton batsman had no idea of the welcome that awaited him. The Batsford Road side appeared on the brink of victory after

  • Entry forms ready

    RULES and entry forms for the 2006 Wychavon Parish Games have now been sent out to organisers who need to return them to Wychavon Sport by next Tuesday. The first event will be the Bellboating on the River Avon in Pershore on Saturday, June 24. Other

  • Eagles fly

    NETBALL: Enfield Eagles still lead the way after four weeks of the Redditch Council Junior Netball League. Bordesley Bluebirds and Palace Parrots are the nearest challengers.

  • Cover more than 50 miles

    TEN members of Evesham Wheelers visited Charlecote Garden Centre last Sunday taking a route out of Eves-ham via the lanes of Badsey, Pebworth, Clifford Cham-bers and Loxley onto the coffee stop. The return travelled thro-ugh Hampton Lucy, Snitter-field

  • Trio at nationals

    PAULINE Hodge, Doreen Bawn and Mary Shephard have qualified for the National Championships in Leamington Spa in August. The Evesham trio defeated opponents from Pershore 12-10 in the county semi-final and they now wait next month's final date against

  • What's On Guide

    Wednesday, June 14 Music Technology Students of NEW College present The Best Show In The World Ever, Artrix, Bromsgrove. Free tickets available from the box office. A Taste of Honey, Festival Theatre, Malvern Theatres. Until June 17. Tickets on www.malvern-theatres.co.uk

  • League woe follows an easy knockout passage

    AFTER making easy progress into the semi-finals of the Worcestershire County League Knockout Cup, Pershore were unable to take that form into Saturday's league game against Droitwich. The visitors rattled up a daunting 275-6 - a total that proved out

  • Sam is Badsey saviour

    SAM Thomson recorded his maiden half-century and secured maximum batting points last Saturday when Badsey had to settle for a winning draw at Belbrou-ghton. The 16-year-old arrived at the crease with his side in trouble at 96-6 but he carried his bat

  • Ton at Dumbleton

    RECORDS were sent tumbling on a beautiful evening at Dumbleton last week after some blistering batting. Simon Slabbert (130no) and Matthew Cull (59no) scored a massive 209 runs in 20 overs against Hatherley and Redd-ings B. Slabbert's century is thou-ght

  • Charity cricket contest

    FORMER Worcestershire all-rounder David Leatherdale is expected to captain Ray Juli-an's XI at Birlingham on Sunday. Profits from the match will go towards replacing the club's ancient scoreboard and other improvements to facilities at the club. Several

  • Sign off in fine fashion

    EVESHAM United's Under-12s finished off a highly successful season with a 2-1 win over Midland Junior Premier League knockout winners Sutton Coldfield at Common Road on Saturday. Goals from Ivan Masica and Henry Woods secured victory for the hosts who

  • Warm-up list finalised

    EVESHAM United have finalised their series of friendly matches for the start of the new football season. A previously arranged home date with Quorn has now been scrapped but local rivals Strat-ford Town, Pershore Town and Littleton will now give the Robins

  • Youngsters sizzle in sun

    JUNIOR players at Pershore Cricket Club have been in red-hot form during the recent warm weather. Angus Steele took an amazing six wickets without conceding a run in an Under-12 match against Evesham. After the visitors had scored 103-7 in their 20 overs

  • Play staged outdoors

    THEATRE fans can enjoy a picnic while they watch an open air performance of the classic Romeo and Juliet next weekend. MDCC Theatre Company will be starting its summer tour at Redditch's Forge Mill Museum next Saturday and Sunday. Petrina Muscroft, a

  • Jerry - and charity - are the winners at Lake contest

    Evesham and District Disabled AC JERRY Akerman failed to defend his title last Sunday when 14 members fished the annual Charity Match at Jim's Lake. The 2005 winner could only manage third place with a net weighing 22lbs that was more than 13 behind the

  • Powerful new dance

    HAILED as the "new face of British dance theatre", physical theatre group Stan Won't Dance presents its powerful new work at Malvern Theatres. The group performs its original and unique piece, Sinner, at the Forum Theatre tomorrow and Friday. It starts

  • Entry forms ready

    RULES and entry forms for the 2006 Wychavon Parish Games have now been sent out to organisers who need to return them to Wychavon Sport by next Tuesday. The first event will be the Bellboating on the River Avon in Pershore on Saturday, June 24. Other

  • Leaders tighten grip at top flight summit

    STRATFORD increased their lead at the top of the Prudden Road Surfacing League after closest rivals Studley lost 3-1 at home to Shipston. The section leaders, mea-nwhile, got the better of third-placed Claverdon 4-0 to open up a formidable gap at the

  • Rankings event leads to an increase in entries

    SINCE the LTA introduced rankings last year for all players that compete in tournaments, the increase in entries has shown a remarkable upturn. Entries for the annual rankings tournament at Littletons, sponsored by R Sinclair Transport, doubled from last

  • Youngsters sizzle in sun

    JUNIOR players at Pershore Cricket Club have been in red-hot form during the recent warm weather. Angus Steele took an amazing six wickets without conceding a run in an Under-12 match against Evesham. After the visitors had scored 103-7 in their 20 overs

  • Warriors snap up Argentinian star

    WORCESTER Warriors have strengthened their midfield by signing Argentinian international centre Miguel Avra-movic on a one-year contract. The 25-year-old, who has been playing for the Alumni Rugby Club in Argentina, will join up with the Warriors in mid-July

  • County stick by their winning team

    WORCESTERSHIRE will be hoping for another impressive batting performance when they face Essex in a Liverpool Victoria County Champion-ship division two match at Chelmsford today (11am). Steve Rhodes' men piled up a huge 618 when they took on Somerset

  • Ruth excels in the heat to take Welsh challenge

    WORCESTER Triathlon Club's Ruth Heatley gave one of her best racing displays in the Man Versus Horse Marathon. The race is unique in the sports calendar and was voted second in the British off-road marathon races by the Runners World magazine. It involved

  • Bryan and Walsh are among runs for Spa

    PAUL Bryan and Steve Walsh helped Droitwich Spa Firsts keep up their impressive Fearnley Factory Shop Worcestershire Sunday Club League form. Bryan struck 103 and Walsh 70 as the leaders piled up 308-5 against Bromsgrove who were dismissed for 236 in

  • Dolphins dazzle

    DROITWICH Dolphins upset the form book with a sensational victory in the Mercian League second round which featured 14 wins and 14 second places. The town team beat Stratford Sharks into first place with an impressive 15-point winning margin. Holly Jones

  • Captain calls for more from the reigning champions

    WITH a crucial weekend of fixtures ahead Barnt Green CC captain Simon Froggatt has demanded an improvement from his out of form side. Barnt Green go into crucial league and cup matches on the back of two defeats and are also suffering poor form. The Birmingham

  • Home comforts for the Boars

    CAPTAIN Nick Davies believes his out of sorts Bromsgrove CC side can use their home game against high-flying Stratford this Saturday as a springboard to success. The Boars have been struggling for form in recent weeks away at Harborne and Walmley but

  • 10/06/06 - Green's batsman wilt at Walsall

    Walsall 243-5 Barnt Green 143 all out Barnt Green lost by 100 runs THE RUNS dried up for Barnt Green under a baking sun as the Birmingham and District Premier Division champions slipped to a heavy loss against bogey side Walsall on Saturday. The champions

  • 10/06/06 - Connor hits top form to steer Spa to victory

    Droitwich 275-6 Pershore 232-7 Droitwich grab a winning draw SPA'S batsmen made a ferocious return to form with the willow during Saturday's winning draw over Pershore in the Worcestershire League Division One. Jerome Connor was the man of moment for

  • 10/06/06 - Gritty Croft take a share of the points

    Luctonians 283-8 Avoncroft 202-9 Avoncroft obtain winning draw AVONCROFT suffered a batting collapse but managed to hold on for a share of the points in the Worcestershire League Division Two on Saturday. 'Croft were unable to capitalise on a strong start

  • Roger shines

    BARNT Green all rounder Roger Sillence produced his best display for Worcestershire in the ten wicket victory over Somerset in the Liverpool Victoria County Cricket Championship last week. Sillence took an impressive 7-96 to hand Worcestershire the advantage

  • 10/06/06 - Corbett lose to leaders

    CHADDESLEY Corbett suffered a 122 run defeat at the hands of leaders Kington in the Worcestershire League Division One on Saturday. Corbett's opponents made 219 all out and they were bowled out in reply for 97. In Division Two Belbroughton beat Lye by

  • 07/06/06 - Bromsgrove suffer cup loss

    Kidderminster Victoria 159-5 Bromsgrove 157-8 Bromsgrove lost by two runs BROMSGROVE suffered a batting collapse as they were edged out in the first round of the Birmingham and District League Challenge Cup last Wednesday. The Boars seemed in a comfortable

  • 11/06/06 - Bryan's century spurs Spa to win

    Droitwich 308-5 Bromsgrove 236 all out Droitwich won by 72 runs CAPTAIN Paul Bryan hit a century to inspire Droitwich to an impressive victory over Bromsgrove in the Worcestershire Sunday League. Bryan's 103 not out was the outstanding piece of batting

  • Charity loses as bagmen cash in

    Worcester charities are losing money because profit-making businesses are misleading generous people with cleverly worded leaflets. Acorns Children's Hospice said its fund-raising was being affected by some collectors who deliver leaflets or collection

  • The dog lovers who condemn their pets to a lingering death

    TWO dogs had to be rescued on Monday after being left in sweltering conditions inside a car. RSPCA officers had to formally warn the owner of the car, parked at the Three Counties Showground during the Three Counties Championship Dog Show, after the animals

  • Flight for teacher who taught pilot and his son

    A teacher with a head for heights took to the skies to mark the end of an era. When Ann Eyles retired from Upton Snodsbury CE First School, her colleagues were determined to give her a leaving present she would never forget, so they enlisted the help

  • More stars may follow Sir Elton to New Road

    MORE music superstars could be heading for Worcester following the storming success of Elton John's concert at the weekend. More than 17,000 people were at Worcestershire County Cricket Ground on Sunday to see the Rocket Man belt out his hits. Now the

  • I'll fight closure of ward, says MP

    MID-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff has put the proposed closure of the Macmillan cancer unit beds at Evesham Community Hospital at the top of his campaigning agenda against health cuts. South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust Board members agreed last Wednesday

  • Andrews appointed to Droitwich hotseat

    PLAYER Jon Andrews has been named the new director of rugby at Droitwich Spa RFC. Andrews, who has been a stalwart for the side over the last few years, replaces Julian Bailey in the all important role. The change was made at the club's annual general

  • Crane adds the finishing touch

    FORMER South Bromsgrove High School pupil Jordan Crane played his part as England under-21s started the Rugby Union World Championships in France with a win. England made a strong start in Group A by trouncing Fiji 34-8 in Vichy last Friday. Crane, who

  • Warm-up list finalised

    EVESHAM United have finalised their series of friendly matches for the start of the new football season. A previously arranged home date with Quorn has now been scrapped but local rivals Strat-ford Town, Pershore Town and Littleton will now give the Robins

  • Smoothies

    WELL done to the residents of Melbourne Close for getting the road leading to their bungalows changed from a lot of potholes to a neat road surface. Well done to all concerned. MD Crump Sidemoor

  • Suspect move

    THE European Commission (EC) and the Department for Education and Skills has recently launched a competition for schoolchildren to design a poster 'celebrating the importance of European integration'. I believe parents will be appalled to learn that their

  • Feeling blue

    IMAGINE shopping for an hour. Heavy bags, swollen feet, hot, tired and need a nice cold drink! You get to your car to find a careless person has parked so close not even a size six girl could get in! Well this is a problem! I'm eight months pregnant and

  • Backwater

    IT'S the same every week - moan, moan, moan about the high parking charges and depriving drivers. Give Steve Martin, transport officer, and the council a chance, they are doing their best to make Bromsgrove a quiet rural backwater that will be a pleasure

  • Women's festival top of the league claim organisers

    ORGANISERS of the fifth Worcestershire FA's Female Festival of Football hailed the event a "huge success". Over 500 players from 55 teams took part in the two-day weekend festival held at the state-of-the-art Per-diswell Soccer Skills Cen-tre off Bilford

  • Let's see our flag!

    I AM not a sports fan but I like to see the flag flying for England at all times. But where is the Union flag - our flag for England? St George's flag is for St George's Day. So why are we flying it instead of the Union 'Jack'? I have looked around the

  • Bring the street to life

    LAST week the Advertiser printed a letter from M Gregory with regard to parking in the town's High Street. You waste your time complaining about this. You phone the police and they say it is the council; if you phone the council, they say it is the police

  • Going deeper

    THE Artrix's reputation as a venue for challenging art has been increasing in recent months and a new piece of work by the Ace Dance Company is set to enhance that claim even further. Ace are renowned for mixing African, Carribean and contemporary styles

  • Celebration of music

    THE Palace Theatre in Redditch has two contrasting shows starting their next week. Mad About the Musicals celebrates the best of the West End Shows over the last four decades, with songs from Chicago, Jeykll and Hyde, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera

  • Firey dance spins into the county

    FANS of Latin American dance are in for a treat when Flamenco Express performs at Worcester's Swan Theatre on Friday, June 16. The company inject even more passion into an already tempestuous style of dance by giving the best performers around artistic

  • Catshill WI

    MARY Davies welcomed members to the May meeting. Members were told that a ceramic painting course had been booked for Tuesday, July 11, at 10.30am. Members were reminded of The Malvern Hills Walk on Thursday, June 22, and the Alcester town walk on July

  • Fairfield WI

    THE annual resolutions meeting was held in Fairfield village hall. Mary Fairbairn, the vice president, led the meeting. It was agreed that last month's social evening was a great success and all hoped that the format will be repeated next year. Audrey

  • Brockencote WI

    Brockencote WI held its May meeting at Chaddesley Corbett village hall. The subject of the meeting was the discussion of the resolutions as set nationally for the consideration of all WIs. The resolutions were presented by Mrs R Pardoe and Mrs J Miller

  • Don on mark

    VETERAN Bidford batsman Don Nicholls was celebrating this week after notching his maiden century ... at the age of 57! Nicholls had been languishing in the seconds until the start of the season when new skipper Peter Taylor gave him a chance to shine

  • Exhall stay on title trail

    EXHALL & Wixford maintained their title push in the Premier Division with a storming 169-run victory at Winchcombe. On a splendid batting track, skipper Simon Hollands and Matt Gwynne put on 238 for the first wicket before the latter was finally out

  • CD - Bright Idea - Orson

    AFTER the rip-roaring success of their single No Tomorrow, Orson have produced an easily listenable, fairly light album. Bright Idea, the same name as their latest single, is the first offering from the cheesy American group. Yes, they may be another

  • Miracle escape

    A DRIVER and his passenger had a miraculous escape after a freak accident in Stoke Prior, which has sparked fresh calls for road safety measures to be taken in the village. The collision happened just after 8am on Monday morning when a white DAF tipper

  • Rising to task

    A BROMSGROVE landmark is setting sail on the next stage of a restoration project. Danzey Green Windmill at Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings, in Stoke Heath, is getting a major revamp and the flagship building now needs around £19,000 more work for

  • South head to go north

    THE headteacher of South Bromsgrove High School is set to say goodbye after nine years, to return to the school he originally came from. Phil McTague joined the Charford Road school in 1997 from his position as deputy head at Eirias High School in north

  • New hope for cancer patients

    LONG, gruelling journeys to receive treatment outside the area, which can mean misery for scores of cancer sufferers living in and around Bromsgrove, may soon be a thing of the past. Doctors, nurses and managers in Worcestershire's hospitals are hoping

  • Twins secure first win

    STUDLEY skipper Richard Gregory paid tribute to twins Omaad and Jamaad Nazir after the pair helped guide the Division Two side to their first win. And the Washford Fields outfit bagged the victory at one of the early season pace-setters, Aston Manor.

  • We mean business

    TWO companies, launched with the help of a £500 start up grant and which now have turnovers of more than £1m, were honoured at a business showcase evening in Bromsgrove. More than 20 local business were represented at last Thursday's event, which was

  • Cricket fixtures

    THE pick of the games this weekend is Exhall & Wixford's table-topping clash with visitors Bretforton in the Premier Division of the Cotswold Hills League (2pm). Both sides have won their last two games and Exhall trail their rivals due to having

  • Five Ways open

    FIVE Ways OEs claimed their first win of the season at home to Bulkington on Saturday. The Hopwood side dismissed their visitors for 231 after posting a target of 242-8. But Division Three rivals Wythall came unstuck at leaders Nether Whitacre . Batting

  • Fly-tipping nightmare

    LAZY gardeners are being blamed for a spate of fly-tipping which has hit the town over the last few weeks. Droitwich Spa's new deputy mayor, Councillor John Cook, has hit out at the lazy gardeners, who have been dumping their waste rather than take it

  • Ironman Tom gets serious

    A DETERMINED Tibberton man is set to pit his physical prowess against hundreds of other competitors in an Ironman challenge. Property developer Tom Forrester, who lives in Tibberton, near Droitwich Spa, will be heading to Exmoor in Devon this Sunday to

  • DVD - North Country (15)

    NEWLY separated from her abusive husband, single mother Josey Aimes (Charlize Theron) packs her suitcases, grabs her two children - young daughter Karen (Elle Peterson) and teenage son Sammy (Thomas Curtis) - and heads back to Northern Minnesota to start

  • Bomb alert halts game

    A VILLAGE cricket team certainly had a good excuse for losing their match - they were ordered to leave the pitch by the bomb disposal squad. Stoke Prior Cricket Club were just 15 minutes from finishing their match against Himbleton Cricket Club when the

  • 50 years ago June 14,1956

    CELEBRATIONS to mark the centenary of Holy Trinity Church, Lickey, included a gift day, which raised the magnificent sum of £1,195. Some of the money would be used to buy the former Church of England school opposite and which had not been used for 11

  • 100 years ago June 14,1906

    THE cost of educating youngsters at schools in and around Bromsgrove had risen sharply from £10,000 a year to £11,680 in 1905. This was due mainly to salary increases given to headteachers and other staff under new pay arrangements. It was claimed that

  • Chiefs due at health debate

    TWO key figures are scheduled to take part in a live radio debate about the National Health Service in Worcestershire next week. John Rostill and Michael O'Riordan, chief executive and chairman of the county's hospitals trust, are due to join the audiences

  • Tycoon offers big cash prize

    AN entrepreneur who invested £100,000 to help redevelop a part of Redditch 10 years ago is making another offer Advertiser readers won't want to refuse. Paul Manning, who used to live in Redditch, is giving residents the chance to win £100,000 cash following

  • Tragic crash killed nurse

    A FORMER Redditch woman and her partner were killed in a road accident as they travelled back from Christmas break, and inquest heard. Michelle Dalgarno and her companion, Clive Potts, died when their Audi A8 overturned in wintry conditions on December

  • Mark's new hobbyhorse

    A HEADLESS Cross man has branched out on his own after it became too tough to find work in the flagging car industry. Mark Rutter has opened model shop Hobby Hut in Rectory Road in a bid to launch a new career. The shop stocks radio control vehicles,

  • Late-night street fracas

    AT just before midnight on Saturday , loud noise could be heard in Castleditch Lane, Oakenshaw. Happy revellers I thought, until I heard, "They've got f...ing knives, dad!" Rightly or wrongly, depending on how much you care for your fellow man, I went