VIKRAM Solanki hit a sparkling 90 but Worcestershire could not keep up with the required run-rate to overtake Warwickshire's 196-7 in their final Twenty20 Cup game of the season. Jonathan Trott top-scored for the visitors, but Alex Loudon did the damage
NEW Road chief executive Mark Newton has confirmed that Worcestershire are hoping to sign England Under 19 star Moeen Ali from rivals Warwickshire. The County have put in a 28-day approach to the Edgbaston club to discuss terms with Moeen, who is out
VIKRAM Solanki hit a sparkling 90 but Worcestershire could not keep up with the required run-rate to overtake Warwickshire's 196-7 in their final Twenty20 Cup game of the season. Jonathan Trott top-scored for the visitors, but Alex Loudon did the damage
NEW Road chief executive Mark Newton has confirmed that Worcestershire are hoping to sign England Under 19 star Moeen Ali from rivals Warwickshire. The County have put in a 28-day approach to the Edgbaston club to discuss terms with Moeen, who is out
THE Hereford Evening Lea-gue beat their Worcester Evening League counterparts by seven wickets in the annual match at Colwall for the Wood Power Trophy. Worcester batted first and openers Sean Jenkins and Liam Weston were bogged down by some accurate
DROITWICH lead the Fearn-ley Factory Shop Worcester-shire Sunday League table by only one point from Kidder-minster. Division One FECKENHAM V BROMSGROVE Bromsgrove won by 32 runs. Feckenham 205 all out (0) (J Preece 52, A Davis 4-39), Bromsgrove
FLYFORD Flavell recorded their first ever clean sweep on their annual three-day tour to Weston-Super-Mare and Bath. The Worcestershire village team got off to a great start, scoring 130-4 off 20 overs against Axbridge. A well crafted 48 from Paul Clarke
MICHAEL Lumb guided Yorkshire into the last eight of the Twenty20 Cup as his unbeaten 84 secured a seven-wicket victory over Lancashire at Headingley. Yorkshire qualified for the quarter-finals for the first time as one of the best third-placed teams
ENGLAND'S four-Test series against Pakistan may not have the glamour of last summer's Ashes series but it could be just as crucial to their hopes of retaining cricket's legendary urn. Without the Ashes at stake the country is unlikely to become so gripped
STEVE Harmison hopes his first sustained spell of the summer will provoke a return to his best in England's npower Test series against Pakistan tomorrow. The Durham fast bowler has always thrived on bowling plenty of overs to get himself into the groove
SIR - I would like through your newspaper to thank four young men who helped me with my wife who was taken ill in Monarch Drive on Saturday, July 1. Wwe hear so much bad press of young people today, it was nice to see. P KNIGHT, Worcester.
SIR - Councillor Paul Denhams accuses the Independents of being pro-Conservative when voting on council issues. Could it be the Conservatives tackle important issues regarding our city's interests with which the Independents agree? They are hardly
THERE is no point in water regulators fining the big companies. They will just hand down the fine to its customers and Ofwat will probably allow it. In the end, it's the customer who pays the fine. JOHN SHEARON, Worcester.
SIR - The threat to the Macmillan unit at Evesham Community Hospital is appalling. We also hear of women with breast cancer being denied the standard of treatment to which they are entitled. In Worcester the use of public toilets is restricted, which
SIR - No rational person would deny the need for first class facilities and resources for the education of children, and most tax payers are rightly willing to contribute to the state education system. What constitutes these facilities and resources
SIR - Mike Foster's response to a letter by Peter Alcock raises questions that have started my alarm bells ringing. Why is Mr Foster so sensitive to criticism? Why did he go to such lengths to emphasise the support he has given, to our chief constable's
There were some spectacular photographs in the Friday, July 7, edition of the Worcester News - not least the front-page picture of people wading through the river that was once Blackpole Road. Sent in by readers using their mobile phones, the dramatic
ENTREPRENEURS in Worcestershire are being given the opportunity to take part in an investment challenge to find the rising stars of the West Midlands business scene The winners will stand a chance of accessing a £1m investment pool to help them further
DIRTY duvets may be riddled with a mixture of mites, skin scales and pollen grains, according to research carried out in Worcester. More than 40 per cent of Britons admitted they didn't wash their duvets every six months as recommended by experts, a
THE number is up for drivers who use a mobile phone, police have warned. They are four times more likely to be involved in a collision, say West Mercia Police. Mobile phone safety is one of seven key areas which have been identified as significantly
CONTROL over a community centre which had eight volunteers suspended after a bullying row will come under closer scrutiny in the autumn, it has emerged. The city council cabinet is preparing to receive expert advice on how Warndon Community Centre has
A POWERFUL campaign has been launched to encourage Worcestershire people to think about the effects of alcohol. The county council's Substance Misuse Action Team (SMAT) is asking: "Is drink turning you into an animal?" It aims to encourage binge drinkers
A TEENAGER who headbutted a girl has been convicted of assault after a CCTV operator zoomed in on their argument in Worcester High Street. Matthew Hoskins' solicitor told Worcester Magistrates Court that many people would consider the use of cameras
THERE is to be a crackdown on gay sex in public toilets after it was revealed that the problem is rife. Worcester City Council has divulged that there are at least three locations in the city and said it is to make it a priority to put a stop to the
A 66-year-old Malvern man who fell from his scooter died through damage to his liver, an inquest heard. David Wagstaff was riding his 250cc scooter on the A449 Malvern Road at Powick on Tuesday, February 7, when he lost his balance and collided with
A TEACHER whose home was damaged by the torrential rain that hit Worcester last week has been told by his insurance company he cannot claim for it - because it was not a storm. Peter Milton and his wife Ivete, of Vincent Road, off Wyld's Lane Worcester
A WORCESTER toddler who was flown by emergency air ambulance to a London hospital after contracting meningococcal meningitis is preparing to celebrate the second birthday her relatives thought she might never see. Georgia Bryan spent four days in intensive
WORCESTER is still reeling from the flash floods which wreaked havoc a week ago tonight. Homeowners, pubs and businesses are all counting the cost of the mop-up operation following the evening deluge that swamped parts of the city. The Barley Mow
A KEEN quilter will be showing off her skills. Sixty-nine-year-old Diana Chester, of Rose Hill, Worcester, has been quilting for about 10 years. She will be one of dozens of people displaying quilts at the Festival of Quilts, which runs from Thursday
ONE of Bromsgrove's foremost consultant physicians, Dr Donald McIlveen, who had spent 14 years at Hill Top hospital, was to retire. He would, however, retain many of the voluntary jobs he held in the town and in Dodford, where he lived. A PLAN to introduce
'IT'S over to you now.' That was the message the temporary committee that had been set up to kick-start Bromsgrove's twinning link with Gronau issued to townsfolk. The formalities had been completed now, it was up to residents to make the link work. The
GODFEY Baseley, the editor of the popular radio farming serial The Archers tantalised his audience when he opened Dodford church fete. Without giving too much away, he told visitors to be sure to tune in to the programme on September 21 as the date was
THE annual commemoration of Bromsgrove School was held on Friday and attracted the traditional gathering of parents and old boys. The observances began with the customary service in the parish church where Sir Thomas Cookes' sermon was preached. Instead
Bromsgrove Rovers 2 Stourport Swifts 1 Southern League Division One West By Peter McKinney MIDFIELD dynamo Mark Benbow bagged a late, late winner to clip Stourport Swifts' wings and lift some of the gloom at the Victoria Ground on Saturday. Bromsgrove
Hitchin Town 1 Bromsgrove Rovers 0 Errea Southern League Cup Final first leg BROMSGROVE Rovers still have a chance of winning the Errea Southern League Cup after a battling performance at Hitchin Town on Tuesday night. Rovers more than matched their Premier
Bromsgrove Rovers 0 Hemel Hempstead Town 4 Southern League Division One West By Peter McKinney COULD the real Bromsgrove Rovers please show up? That's the plea from the fans as they watched their team suffer another moral sapping home defeat at the Victoria
Rushall Olympic 1 Bromsgrove Rovers 1 Southern League Division One West ROBUST Rovers salvaged a deserved point by forcing a last gasp own goal at Rushall and avoiding a second successive defeat in the Southern League Division One West on Saturday. Rovers
Bromsgrove Rovers 1 Taunton Town 2 Southern League Division One West By Peter McKinney A CLANGER by goalkeeper Lee Evans and a moment of magic made sure that Rovers' woes at the Victoria Ground continued on a bitterly cold Saturday afternoon. There has
Chippenham Town 1 Bromsgrove Rovers 2 Errea Southern League Cup semi-final ROVERS defied the odds to beat highflying Chippenham Town to ensure they booked their place in the Southern League Errea Cup final on Tuesday night. Despite a host of injuries
Bromsgrove Rovers 0 Leighton Town 2 Southern League Division One West BROMSGROVE Rovers slipped to a damaging home defeat on a bitterly cold Tuesday night. Rovers have missed chances and conceded soft goals all season and this game was no different. The
Cinderford Town 1 Bromsgrove Rovers 3 Southern League Division One West By Peter McKinney overs' victory on Saturday at the Causeway made sure that there's still life in the club's ailing play-offs aspirations in the Southern League Division One West.
Banbury 0 Bromsgrove Rovers 4 Errea Southern League Cup STRIKER Luke Reynolds sealed a fine individual performance by bagging a double, which helped Bromsgrove Rovers book a semi-final spot in the Errea Southern League Cup on Tuesday night. The powerhouse
Bromsgrove Rovers 3 Sutton Coldfield Town 6 Southern League Division One West By Peter McKinney RAGGED Rovers were hit for six as a powerful Sutton side delivered a hammer blow to their faltering promotion hopes in the Southern League Division One West
Ashford Town 1 Bromsgrove Rovers 1 Southern League Division One West MIDFIELDER Wayne Dyer's wonder goal earned Bromsgrove Rovers a valuable point, as they held title chasing Ashford Town on Tuesday night. The game seemed to be slipping away from the
Bromsgrove Rovers 1 Brackley Town 1 Southern League Division One West By Peter McKinney STRIKER Paul Moore grabbed an equaliser to make sure Rovers held a physical Brackley side to a draw in an eventful game at the Victoria Ground on Saturday.HACKED DOWN
Bromsgrove Rovers (0) 1 King's Lynn (0) 0 Errea Cup fourth round By Peter McKinney GOALKEEPER Tim Clarke produced two brilliant saves to help Bromsgrove Rovers knock holders Kings Lynn out of the Southern League Cup, on a bitterly cold Tuesday night at
Bromsgrove Rovers 2 Paulton Rovers 0 Southern League Division One West By Peter McKinney TWO new signings sealed a much-needed victory for Bromsgrove Rovers as they bounced back from a mid-week defeat by overcoming Paulton Rovers on Saturday. Striker
Bromsgrove Rovers 0 Marlow 2 Southern League Division One West By Peter McKinney NEW manager Rod Brown suffered a nightmare home debut at the Victoria Ground, as self-destructing Bromsgrove Rovers slipped up to Marlow on Tuesday evening. A piece of magic
Bracknell Town 1 Bromsgrove Rovers 2 Southern League Division One West By Peter McKinney THE Rod Brown era at Bromsgrove Rovers was ushered in with a battling victory away to ten men Bracknell on Saturday. Brown, who replaced Jimmy Mullen as Rovers boss
Stourport Swifts 1 Bromsgrove Rovers 1 Southern League Division One West By Peter McKinney WAYNE Dyer bagged an equaliser to make sure battling Bromsgrove Rovers completed their festive fixtures unbeaten on Bank Holiday Monday. Midfield maestro Dyer's
Bromsgrove Rovers 3 Clevedon Town 0 Southern League Division One West By Peter McKinney ROVERS' players showed their support for former assistant manager Bernard Mackie by defeating table topping Clevedon Town and recorded their most important result
Burnham 1 Bromsgrove Rovers 2 Southern League Division One West DUE to an accident on the M40 motorway the Rovers' coach did not arrive at The Gore until 2.45pm, to find the kick-off delayed until 3.15pm. Burnham took full advantage of the late start
Bath City 2 Bromsgrove Rovers 0 FA Trophy MIDFIELDER Mark Benbow was the victim of mistaken identity as a sedate FA Trophy clash erupted into violence at Twerton Park on Saturday. Benbow was handed a straight red card by referee Mr L Swabey after a brawl
Swindon Supermarine 0 Bromsgrove Rovers 1 Southern League Division One West PROMOTION slipped further into the distance for Bromsgrove Rovers after they were shot down by a stunning strike at Swindon Supermarine on Saturday. Rovers' supporters left Hunts
Bedworth United (0) 1 Bromsgrove Rovers (1) 1 ROVERS took a point away from Bedworth but could have had all three if they had taken their chances in an end to end Southern League Division One West game on Tuesday night. On-loan striker Mark Danks had
Bromsgrove Rovers 0 Morecambe 2 FA Cup fourth qualifying round BROMSGROVE Rovers' dream of making the FA Cup first round was dashed by efficient Morecambe at the Victoria Ground on Saturday, but the home side acquitted themselves admirably against the
BROMSGROVE got their league campaign back on track by crushing Dunstable Town 4-0 at Creasey Park on Saturday. Making their first apperance at Dunstable since 1978, Rovers rounded off an emphatic win with a hat-trick from Kevin Banner and a late strike
Bromsgrove Rovers 0 Swindon Supermarine 2 Southern League Division One West LACKLUSTRE Rovers were left to rue an error-strewn display as they suffered their first home defeat in the Southern League Division One West on Saturday. Despite a flurry of second
Bromsgrove Rovers 4 Bourne Town 1 FA Cup pre-qualifying round DEAN Curtis grabbed a brace as rampant Rovers strolled into the first qualifying round of the FA Cup at the Victoria Ground on Saturday. Curtis scored twice in the first half to kill off any
Bromsgrove Rovers 4 Rushall Olympic 1 Southern League Division One West AN injury to defender Ross Collins took the shine off a comfortable victory on Tuesday night at the Victoria Ground. Collins was taken to the Alexandra Hospital with a back injury
Brackley Town 1 Bromsgrove Rovers 0 Bromsgrove Rovers were left to rue a missed penalty, as they crashed to defeat against one of the title favourites in the Southern League Division One West on Saturday. Matt Murphy's diving header in the 59th minute
Bromsgrove Rovers 2 Beaconsfield SYCOB 0 ROVERS kicked off the Southern League Division One West with a hard fought, but deserved victory over Beaconsfield SYCOB at the Victoria Ground on Saturday. Late goals by Scott Hadland and Kevin Banner ensured
STRIKER Richard Burgess has continued his on/off relationship with Bromsgrove Rovers by joining the Greens from Stourport Swifts for the fourth time. The striker is manager Rod Brown's first signing of the pre-season break, as he aims to build a side
Bromsgrove Rovers (1) 1 Walsall (1) 3 FORMER England star Paul Merson lit up the Victoria Ground with a stunning third goal against hard working Rovers on Wednesday, August 3. Merson picked up the ball in his own half skipped past Joe Williams, Steve
BROMSGROVE Rovers are holding a reunion party for former player Peter Hensman on Saturday, June 10. Hensman was a popular player with the fans as he helped Rovers reach the quarterfinals of theFA Trophy in the 1975/76 campaign. He was also named the Messenger
BROMSGROVE Rovers FC will have to battle through 18 derby matches in order to win promotion to the Premier Division in the 2006/2007 season after the Southern League was restructured. Rovers face nine local sides after the creation of the Midlands Division
Bromsgrove Rovers (0) 0 Hereford United (0) 2 IMPROVING Rovers produced their best performance of the season and pushed a strong Hereford side all the way until a powerful goal by Graham Evans saw them off at the Victoria Ground on Wednesday, July 27.
AN all star Bromsgrove Rovers FC team await either Hoolahans or Ringspanners in the Ashley Read Memorial Shield Final on Sunday, May 14 (11.30am kick off). The two Advertiser/Messenger League sides will play the semi-final at the Victoria Ground on Saturday
MANAGER Rod Brown slammed referee Mr Links for allowing Leighton's leveller in Bromsgrove Rovers' final match in the Southern League Division One West. The official allowed a late equaliser for Leighton, despite a foul by James McNulty on goalkeeper Tim
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
MANAGER Rod Brown has vowed to go all out to win the Errea Southern League Cup Final. Bromsgrove Rovers take on Hitchin Town in the second leg at the Victoria Ground on Tuesday, April 25 (8pm kick off). Rovers need to overhaul Hitchin's one goal advantage
BROMSGROVE Rovers are holding a reunion for former hero Peter Hensman on Saturday, June 10. Hensman was a popular player with the fans as he helped Rovers reach the quarterfinals of the FA Trophy in the 1975/76 campaign. He was also named the Messenger
BROMSGROVE Rovers manager Rod Brown is hoping that the team's fixture congestion does not disturb the club's end of the season. Combined with last night's game against Thame United Rovers are set for a gruelling schedule of four games in seven days. Rovers
BROMSGROVE Rovers manager Rod Brown believes the travelling fans could make all the difference in securing the Errea Southern League Cup. With the final's first leg a testing away clash at Hitchin Town on April 11 the Rovers boss knows how important away
ROD Brown has warned his players that he is set to make sweeping changes to the squad at Bromsgrove Rovers in order to bring promotion next season. Brown has become increasingly dissatisfied with the squad's inability to find some consistency. He was
BROMSGROVE Rovers could clinch the Errea Southern League Cup at the Victoria Ground after the final's fixtures were announced today (Wednesday). Rovers face a long trip to Hertfordshire for the final's first leg at Hitchin Town on Tuesday, April 11. However
BROMSGROVE Rovers' manager Rod Brown has called on his players to use their success in the Southern League Errea Cup as a springboard for the end of the season. Rovers stunned Southern League Premier Division high-fliers Chippenham Town last week by beating
BROMSGROVE Rovers FC manager Rod Brown has called on supporters and players to work together to lift the curse that has blighted the club's season. Brown, who took over the hot seat at the Victoria Ground in January, believes that Rovers have suffered
MIDFIELDER Riad Erraji has returned to the Victoria Ground to give Bromsgrove Rovers a much-needed boost. The midfield schemer was set to make his first team return at Rovers in Tuesday night's home game against Leighton Town. Erraji decided to leave
BROMSGROVE Rovers manager Rod Brown has made a double bid to bolster his midfield after winger Anthony Maguire quit the club for Hednesford Town on Monday. Brown has put in seven-day requests for former midfield maestro Riad Erraji, who is at Rushall
BROMSGROVE Rovers manager Rod Brown warned his players to forget promotion this season if they produce a repeat of Saturday's dreadful performance against Sutton. Brown admitted he was left 'disgusted' by his side's suicidal defending during Saturday's
HOMEOWNERS in Foxlydiate Cresent, Batchley are being urged to help police following the assault of a man in his 20s. The attack took place on June 21 at about 1.30am and officers need information from witnesses, who can call Pc Jessica Loxley on 08457
NEW Bromsgrove Rovers manager Rod Brown outlined his burning desire to get the club promoted from the Southern League Division One West. During an intimate forum at the Victoria Ground the manager told the small number of fans who had braved the cold
A STUDLEY woman had her handbag snatched in the village. The woman was walking along Bell Lane on Thursday at 5.15pm when she heard a noise behind her. As she looked over her shoulder she saw a man leaning down towards her handbag, which he then snatched
AN independent group of Bromsgrove Rovers supporters are preparing ambitious plans to become the club's saviours if it ever falls into crisis again. Bromsgrove Rovers Supporters' Society held a meeting on Wednesday, January 11, to discuss various ways
BROMSGROVE Rovers' new manager Rod Brown made a plea for unity by asking the club's disgruntled fans to get behind the team. Brown, who replaced Jimmy Mullen as manager on Thursday, January 5, wants fans to forget the last few weeks and concentrate on
JIMMY Mullen has quit as manager of Bromsgrove Rovers on Thursday (January 5) morning. Mullen decided to call it a day after his trusted assistant Bernard Mackie was sacked a week before. He said: "I'm disappointed because I've always felt that the club
Bromsgrove Rovers FC's manager Jimmy Mullen admitted that he is giving serious thought to his future at the club after right hand man Bernard Mackie was sacked by the board last week. Chairman Tom Herbert informed assistant manager Mackie, a close personal
BROMSGROVE Rovers' chairman Tom Herbert has given manager Jimmy Mullen his full support, but has demanded a dramatic improvement in results to enhance the team's promotion hopes in the second half of the season. Herbert still remains upbeat that Rovers
BROMSGROVE Rovers' manager Jimmy Mullen has challenged his out of sorts side to lift the gloom at the Victoria Ground with two victories over the Christmas period. The Rovers boss is aware that two home victories over Cinderford and Clevedon would lift
Bromsgrove Rovers manager Bernard Mackie believes the team's promotion hopes are not over, but finishing in an automatic slot is almost impossible. Mackie admits that after Saturday's 3-1 home defeat to joint leaders Ashford Rovers have no chance of finishing
BROMSGROVE Rovers manager Jimmy Mullen is still hoping to find the club's frustrated supporters an early Christmas present in the next few weeks by bringing in a striker. Mullen is still scouring the non-league to find a player who can score the goals
BROMSGROVE Rovers fans are being urged to come out in force to support the team in their titanic FA Cup clash against Morecambe on Saturday. Rovers will be the underdogs when they kick off against their high-flying Conference opponent at 3pm at the Victoria
STRIKER Dean Curtis has left Bromsgrove Rovers for AFC Telford. Curtis opted to join the Shropshire side on Monday night. Curtis, aged 19, had scored three goals for the club already since he came from Sutton in the summer. His strike partner Chris Smith
BROMSGROVE Rovers manager Jimmy Mullen has called on his side to blaze a trail in the FA Cup. Rovers entertain Bourne Town in the pre-qualifying round at the Victoria Ground on Saturday, August 27 (3pm kick off). While promotion from the Southern League
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 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
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
BROMSGROVE Rovers' need to add some firepower for the 2005/2006 season became a top priority for manager Jimmy Mullen this week after last season's top scorer Paul Szewczyk joined Hednesford Town. Szewczyk, who scored 45 goals in 76 appearances for the
YOUNGSTERS in Batchley have been celebrating after their tennis courts were given a revamp. And bosses at the HDA Club, in Cherry Tree Walk, are throwing open their doors to the public this weekend to show off their new facilities. Four new all-weather
WYTHALL'S A team drew 2-2 at home to Blossomfield in Division Six of the Birmingham League. And after their 4-0 whitewash at the hands of the Police the previous week, it was vital to avoid a second defeat to stay in the top half of the table. Teenagers
ANGLING: Dave Curtis won a close fought contest on Saturday when Astwood Bank's Dark Lane Club fished their third Aggregate Courage Shield on the Arrow. His 15lb 4oz catch edged out Rob Stokes (15lb 2oz) with Jamie Aspindale continuing his good form with
NETBALL: Palace Parrots starred in the latest games in Redditch Council's junior tournament, winning two of their three matches thanks to some fantastic fair play and excellent skills. Bordesley Bluebirds still lead the way with Halford Herons and Enfield
GOLF: The 2006 Redditch Open was dominated by members of Redditch Golf Club who took the top three places in the competition. Trevor Warner-Welch took top prize with a round of 73, edging out Willie Kerr (74) and Paul Reeves (76). The prize for the best
DOGS are as great a nuisance and danger to motocyclists as the dust is to cyclists. They are a danger also to ordinary cyclists but to not so great a degree, the lesser speed enables them to take more effective means of avoiding any threatened danger.
THINGS are getting curiouser and curiouser at the Palace Theatre with the arrival of Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. The Palace Youth Theatre will stage the production of the much-loved children's stories from tomorrow until Saturday
VIKRAM Solanki hit a sparkling 90 but Worcestershire could not keep up with the required run-rate to overtake Warwickshire's 196-7 in their final Twenty20 Cup game of the season. Jonathan Trott top-scored for the visitors, but Alex Loudon did the damage
NEW Road chief executive Mark Newton has confirmed that Worcestershire are hoping to sign England Under 19 star Moeen Ali from rivals Warwickshire. The County have put in a 28-day approach to the Edgbaston club to discuss terms with Moeen, who is out
BROMSGROVE'S Artrix welcomes renowned saxophonist Joolz Gianni to the stage for an evening of classic jazz. The Joolz Gianni Band will perform at the venue tomorrow night from 8pm. Joolz Gianni, a former regular at Ronnie Scott's in Birmingham, brings
A NEW home is desperately needed for depressed Chester, a three-year-old Great Dane cross, who is currently being cared for by a Catshill animal adoption centre. The Blue Cross, in Wildmoor Lane, is desperate to find the dog a home as kennel life is making
INTREPID Tyron Potts was this week nearing the end of his epic fundraising cycle from Lands End to John O'Groats. The 28-year-old, who works for Garvins in Rigby Lane, Bromsgrove, set off with four friends on July 1 on the 1,000-mile cycle ride - which
A REVAMPED play area, costing around £100,000, is being opened in Hagley this Saturday. The play area, in Worcester Road, has been funded with £80,000 from Bromsgrove District Council and around £25,000 from Hagley Parish Council. The new facilities are
VIKRAM Solanki hit a sparkling 90 but Worcestershire could not keep up with the required run-rate to overtake Warwickshire's 196-7 in their final Twenty20 Cup game of the season. Jonathan Trott top-scored for the visitors, but Alex Loudon did the damage
DROITWICH lead the Fearn-ley Factory Shop Worcester-shire Sunday League table by only one point from Kidder-minster. Division One FECKENHAM V BROMSGROVE Bromsgrove won by 32 runs. Feckenham 205 all out (0) (J Preece 52, A Davis 4-39), Bromsgrove 237-7
FLYFORD Flavell recorded their first ever clean sweep on their annual three-day tour to Weston-Super-Mare and Bath. The Worcestershire village team got off to a great start, scoring 130-4 off 20 overs against Axbridge. A well crafted 48 from Paul Clarke
MICHAEL Lumb guided Yorkshire into the last eight of the Twenty20 Cup as his unbeaten 84 secured a seven-wicket victory over Lancashire at Headingley. Yorkshire qualified for the quarter-finals for the first time as one of the best third-placed teams
ENGLAND'S four-Test series against Pakistan may not have the glamour of last summer's Ashes series but it could be just as crucial to their hopes of retaining cricket's legendary urn. Without the Ashes at stake the country is unlikely to become so gripped
STEVE Harmison hopes his first sustained spell of the summer will provoke a return to his best in England's npower Test series against Pakistan tomorrow. The Durham fast bowler has always thrived on bowling plenty of overs to get himself into the groove
JUNE is traditionally recognised as the first week of summer and we may be feeling a little hard done by that one of the few disadvantages of living in the Wyre Forest district is that we are many miles from the nearest piece of coastline. While this
THE first week of spring colour has just arrived much later than last year but no less welcome. Spring is still very much in its infancy with very few species coming into flower. However, last week a few species which have an abundance of blooms came
MARCH is the first month of spring - or at least we hope so. Lambs will be born, and the first splashes of colour will start to appear as the first of the wild flower open their blooms. Frogs will also awake from their hibernation and make their way to
A PROPERTY developer from Tibberton has completed a gruelling Ironman challenge in aid of St Richard's Hospice. Tom Forrester, aged 34, went to Exmoor, in Devon, where he finished a 1.2 mile lake swim, 56 mile bike ride and a 13.1 mile half marathon in
A MOSAIC, which marks Droitwich Spa's saltmaking heritage, is set to be unveiled in Vines Park in a ceremony next Tuesday. Created by artist Alison Ogle, from Worcester, the mosaic depicts figures through the ages of salt making history such as St Richard
WE are extremely fortunate in Wyre Forest District to have a fantastic variety of high quality and accessible countryside. Living in Kidderminster, we have some of the county's finest marshes and heathlands right on our doorsteps. Some householders have
WALKING across the heathlands of Burlish Top and Rifle Range last month, there was very little bright colour to be seen, the only exception was the occasional patch of gorse just coming in to bloom. For this reason, my eye was drawn to the subtle colours
THE NHS remains at the top of the political agenda. Because of this I am very grateful that the support for me through Independent Health Concern councillors in last week's local elections remains so strong. A debate in the House of Commons on Tuesday
TWO examples of the oddity of events in the House of Commons occurred this week. On Monday it was the second reading of the Finance Bill which is necessary to put into effect some of the measures in the recent Budget. I had, in the time-honoured way,
A WORCESTER toddler who was flown by emergency air ambulance to a London hospital after contracting meningococcal meningitis is preparing to celebrate the second birthday her relatives thought she might never see. Georgia Bryan spent four days in intensive
EVERYONE is confused by the Government's statements minimising NHS deficits. Until now trusts foreseeing a year-end deficit have been able to borrow money from other trusts to conceal their deficit. For the first time the year 2004-5 ended with an overall
CHEWING gum! What a scourge! Until recently I was not aware of the major problem in our towns and cities from the discarded gum on the pavements. Following local complaints and the matter being raised in Parliament I asked the local council about the
THE consultation on the merger of primary care trusts concluded yesterday. I have opposed the merger into one county trust and concluded my response with this sentence, "The Government is trying to run a patient-led NHS so this is exactly the time when
THE consultation meeting held in the town hall last week about the proposed mergers of strategic health authorities (SHAs), ambulance trusts and primary care trusts (PCTs) was well attended and left the representatives of the SHA in no doubt that Wyre
MPs have returned to London and face a full programme of Bills and committee work. One of my main concerns, because of the numbers of people who come to see me about it, is the Child Support Agency. I learnt in Work and Pensions Questions on Monday that
DROITWICH RFC captain Nick Godfrey is looking forward to the Powergen Vase clash away at Aldwinians on Saturday, December 17. Victory over the Manchester side would see Spa move into the national competition's final 16. Godfrey said: "It's always good
DROITWICH chairman Rob Bray has outlined his dream of building a grandstand at the club. Bray announced his ambitious hopes to add a 250 seater stand at the Glynn Mitchell Memorial Ground at the end of last week. It is hoped by the club's supremo that
DROITWICH RFC director of rugby Julian Bailey praised new head coach Mark Evans' impact since he joined. Evans stepped into the breach as the club's top coach after Nick Tisdale quit Spa to play for Midlands Division One side Walsall at the start of October
CONTROL over a community centre which had eight volunteers suspended after a bullying row will come under closer scrutiny in the autumn, it has emerged. The city council cabinet is preparing to receive expert advice on how Warndon Community Centre has
THE number is up for drivers who use a mobile phone, police have warned. They are four times more likely to be involved in a collision, say West Mercia Police. Mobile phone safety is one of seven key areas which have been identified as significantly increasing
DIRTY duvets may be riddled with a mixture of mites, skin scales and pollen grains, according to research carried out in Worcester. More than 40 per cent of Britons admitted they didn't wash their duvets every six months as recommended by experts, a survey
BROMSGROVE RFC have named former player Ross Baxter as the club's first ever forwards' coach. Baxter, who played for the Boars in the 2003/2004 season, was the latest piece to fall into place for head coach Iain Hall's new coaching set up. Bromsgrove's
BROMSGROVE RFC director of coaching Dean Ball admitted that his side's disastrous start to the season had made him think about quitting. After losing six league games in a row the Boars are rock bottom of the Midlands Division One. Ball contemplated leaving
BROMSGROVE RFC director of coaching Dean Ball is hoping his side get some points on the board when they take on Walsall at Finstall Park on Saturday (3pm start). The Boars are bottom of the Midlands Division One after four consecutive defeats. However
MEMBERS of St Godwald's Church, in Aston Fields, led by the vicar, the Rev David Tongue, took part in a belated Rogation Day service. After a hymn in the church car park they set off to bless local farms, the fields and agricultural implements. THERE
A PLAGUE of flies was making life in Droitwich almost unbearable. Their numbers were such that brooms had to be used to sweep the dead insects off the floors of houses. Sticky fly papers were covered in minutes. It was said the insects were coming from
BROMSGROVE welcomed some old friends back as the club celebrated the 50th anniversary of the first game ever played at their Finstall Park home on Saturday. STRONG VINTAGE: The surviving members of Bromsgrove's first game ever at Finstall Park 50-years-ago
A proposal by Bromsgrove Urban District Council to acquire a piece of land at Marlbrook for housing development which private enterprise was willing to carry out was described "an abuse of the power entrusted by Parliament to local authorities". The site
JOHN Vaux from Stoke Heath, a first class sportsman who played senior cricket and rugby for the town, died at the early age of 46. He joined the cricket club in 1927 and went on to captain the side six years later. During his first year the town gained
BROMSGROVE was to get a new swimming bath. The town's last bath at Watt Close had been forced to close 14 years ago on health grounds when a particular type of duckweed had been discovered in the water. The urban district council was to look at schemes
A RECENT spate of motor car accidents prompted members of Bromsgrove Urban District Council to call on the town's police to look at ways of preventing drivers from speeding. It was said cars were often driven at 'reckless' speeds through the town and
REDDITCH and Bromsgrove Olympic Gymnastic Club which had the shadow of closure hanging over it had been given a new lease of life. It had been given financial backing to take over the former Church of England School in Crown Close. But the first task
A MEMORIAL to the 12 Bromsgrove soldiers who died in the South Africa war from autumn 1899 to summer 1902 was unveiled in the parish church this week. A large number of onlookers lined the streets and took up positions in the cemetery to see the arrival
BROMSGROVE Court Leet Bailiff, Mr D Howard Wood, at the weekend welcomed parties of friends and representatives from many organisations in the area to his home, Cotswold in Barnt Green, to view and welcome the daffodils which grew in abundance there.
THE vicar of St John's Church in Bromsgrove, since 1890, the Rev E Vine Hall, dropped a bombshell over Easter when he announced he was planning to retire due to ill health. In his time at Bromsgrove he had brought about two major changes which had endeared
PERHAPS best known today for his television role in Judge John Deed and previously for playing Doyle in The Professionals, actor Martin Shaw showed he is a real star of the stage as well. Playing the principled Sir Thomas More, who would rather die than
A FIRE destroyed the Jehovah's Witnesses' Kingdom Hall, in York Road, Sidemoor, during the early hours of Sunday causing £40,000 worth of damage. Some nearby residents were evacuated as firemen from Bromsgrove and Redditch fought to control the blaze.
MAY I, on behalf of bus travellers everywhere, bestow upon the town of Bromsgrove the award of Worst Bus Station in Britain bar none! Your municipal representatives should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves for allowing this festering sore on an otherwise
JANINE is playing even better than before, judging from this superb performance. The programme began with the eight Lyric Pieces op 12, by Grieg, which range from the gentle Arietta, through a waltz, Watchman's Song, a jolly Fairy Dance, Popular Melody
THE Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal committee wish to thank the people of Bromsgrove for helping us to raise a total of £10,835 for the 2005 appeal. Also thank you to the house-to-house collectors, the street collectors who came on Saturday and the
High level talks to sort out Bromsgrove fairs' problems ended in a complete deadlock. Feelings had been running high in town since Jones' fair camped out without consent on Bromsgrove's recreation ground car park. Since then, 1,800 signatures had been
I WAS privileged to attend Stoke Prior First School last week to participate in the Vision Map launch. Rupert Brakespear, education for sustainable development officer at Worcestershire County Council, who led the project, explained the background, the
The amalgamation of Bromsgrove and Redditch police divisions took a step further and there was a surprise in the events. Bromsgrove was regarded the likely location of the headquarters because of the geography of the two towns. But Redditch had protested
I WISH to take up a point made in a letter from Dr David Simone-Jones in Your View in which he made reference, and it is not for the first time, to Tory/Independent leaders on Bromsgrove District Council. I should inform him that the Independent group
TOWARDS the end of last month I gave a piano recital at St Peter's First School, Bromsgrove in aid of Breakthrough Breast Cancer. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who bought tickets and all those who gave donations or helped in
Bromsgrove Urban District Council fixed the rate for the coming year at 23/6 (£1.18) in the pound, an increase of 10d. The finance committee recommended it should go up by 1 /4 (7p) to 24/- (£1.20). But Mr W R Harris, one of Rubery's independents, made
William Taylor, of Droitwich, was charged with cruelty to a horse by working it in an unfit state. Inspector Baker said the horse had been to Kidderminster market in a lame and poor condition and unfit to work. A vet examined it and said it had ringbone
A SWEET-FACED little boy as Oliver and a superb character actor as Fagin, and you cannot fail with a production of Oliver Bart's masterpiece. Timmy Spalding, 11, is excellent as Oliver, not only looking the part, but singing well, and he was word perfect
FIREMEN from Bromsgrove and eight other local towns were called to fight a major fire in the five storey Halfords Cycle Store, in Birmingham. It was full of flammable materials and the blaze was said to be the city's worst in peacetime. Damage to the
THE undoubted highlight of the 24th annual evening of music-making was provided by the talented 15-year-old John Garner. This young violinist, who is West Midland Light Orchestra's youngest member, superbly played the solo part in the theme music from
SCHOOL children in Bromsgrove were to take part in a two-day course on road safety, the first scheme of its kind in Britain. Pupils at North Bromsgrove High School would be the first to take part in the scheme, which had been devised by local headmaster
HAMLET has always been my favourite Shakespeare play and this English Touring Theatre production is one of the best I have ever seen. Ed Stoppard, son of the playwright Sir Tom Stoppard, played a softer, more likeable Hamlet than I have seen before but
ON the eve of Lickey Church's centenary year it was announced repairs to the stonework, costing £1,000, were necessary. It was hoped the money would be raised before the end of the year. The land on which the church had been built had been donated by
LEGENDARY musician, Acker Bilk, certainly kept the audience entertained at the opening night of the Bewdley Festival as he and the Paramount Jazz Band performed to a full house. The appreciative crowd was treated to fast-paced numbers, including Memphis
IT would not be possible to attend a better piano recital than we were treated to on Sunday afternoon, when we heard the "dream" programme played superbly. Mark, who is one of the most talented pianists I have ever had the privilege to hear, not only
AFTER tackling the bard, the Bible and books the Reduced Shakespeare Company is taking on Tinseltown. The Californian three-man comedy troupe's latest sharp show, Completely Hollywood (abridged), takes a more alternative look at the film industry. The
FEARS that the unique character of Barnt Green would disappear if a housing development went ahead was expressed at a planning inquiry held at the Council House in Bromsgrove. The district council was opposed to the building of six houses, one to the
SERIOUS overcrowding at St Chad's School in Rubery resulted in a plan to erect huts in an adjacent field to accommodate some of the pupils. Class sizes ranged from 40 to 50 and in one case two classes comprising a total of 84 pupils were sharing one classroom
IN his will, published this week, Douglas Ruxton Berwick, the founder of the Evergreen Scouts, in Bromsgrove, left £39,488 gross. He left the scout hut at Whitford Hall School to the owner, Mary Booker, for as long as she was in charge, otherwise to Bromsgrove
ABOUT 120 people were at Perry Hall Hotel for the inaugural meeting of the Bromsgrove branch of Lions International, the largest community service organisation in the world. New members were given badges and certificates in a ceremony watched by representatives
GUARDIANS at Bromsgrove workhouse had been forced to re-advertise in the Messenger for a cook after having no applicants for the job when an advert had previously appeared. However, they were more hopeful after increasing the salary by £4 to £24 per year
JULIE Emms, aged 14, had turned her bedroom at her parents home in Mount Lane, Fairfield, into a shrine to the popular TV series Star Trek. The walls were covered in pictures of Captain Kirk and crew of the Enterprise and she belonged to four clubs and
MR James Yates Holt, Bromsgrove's senior practising solicitor and one of the town's oldest inhabitants, celebrated his 93rd birthday at his home, Alloa House, in Birmingham Road. Among many visitors who called to wish him well were members of the Court
ON Monday, with her usual kindness, Lady Windsor played hostess to 191 pupils and staff from both Tardebigge day and Sunday schools, when she invited them to tea at Hewell Grange for their annual, eagerly looked forward to treat. The party marched through
PEOPLE in Bromsgrove seeking to further their education by attending evening courses or collages were to pay more. County councillors were being urged to raise the cost from 28p to 50p or even 75p per hour. It was said the true commercial cost of courses
GOALSCORERS 12 - Davis. 11- Banner, Dyer. 10 - Hadland. 9 - Moore. 6 - Barnes-Homer. 5 - Danks. 4 - Porter, Reynolds. 3 - Curtis, Szewczyk, Johnson. 2 - Smith, Ramsay, Maguire, Williams, Geohaghan, Benbow. 1 - Collins, Mitchell, Willetts, Hurren, Francis
GOALSCORERS 20 - Szewczyk. 10 - Pope. 8 - Banner. 8 - Frost. 8 - Jackson. 7 - Bellingham. 6 - Atkinson. 5 - Benbow. 4 - Dyson. 2 - Bowen. 2 - Dawson. 2 - Jones. 1 - Beckett. 1 - Scheppel. ADVERTISER/MESSENGER MAN OF THE MATCH 7 - Szewczyk. 6 - Pope. 5
GOALSCORERS 16 - Burgess. 14 - Dyson. 12 - Danks. 11 - Palmer. 8 - Banner. 7 - Frost. 5 - Beckett. 4 - Read. 3 - Benbow, Clifton. 2 - Cartwright, Pope, Southwick. 1 - Blake, Ford, Lloyd, Lutz, McHugh. ADVERTISER/MESSENGER MAN OF THE MATCH 8 - Frost. 5
THE population of Bromsgrove's urban district was becoming healthier, according to a report by the town's medical officer. Last month, most of the 13 deaths had been from old age and bronchitis, plus one from accidental suffocation. Importantly, none
HARD up Bromsgrove Rovers were appealing to townsfolk to become agents to sell weekly lottery tickets. Clubs and pubs in the district were to be targeted. GARRINGTONS, Bromsgrove's largest employer, was starting to feel the effect of the national steel
THE old saying 'February fill dyke' had not lived up to its name in 1904. The wettest month had been May when 4.01 inches had fallen. The month had also seen the wettest day of the year when 2.20inches had fallen on the 27th. October had been the driest
Dunstablians 51 Bromsgrove 21 Midlands Division One BROMSGROVE were unable to end their season by recording the victory that has been eluding them all season as they were beaten by Dunstablians on Saturday. The defeat, Bromsgrove's 22nd of the season,
Burton 36 Bromsgrove 25 Midlands Division One KENT Summerfield bagged a hat trick as Bromsgrove refused to go down without a fight at strugglers Burton in the Midlands Division One on Saturday. Summerfield produced a determined attacking display as Bromsgrove
Luton 76 Bromsgrove 25 Midlands Division One BROMSGROVE RFC suffered their biggest defeat of the season as Luton routed them on Saturday The Boars were ran ragged by an inspired Luton side that scored 11 tries. Defeat is another disappointing blow for
THE idea that William Shakespeare's plays are performed by stuffy thespians who take themselves far too seriously is shattered by the antics of chaotic theatre company Oddsocks Productions. Instead of high brow Oddsocks stuffs its performances of the
Bromsgrove 14 Kettering 37 Midlands Division One A FIRST half scoring blitz on Saturday ensured relegation threatened Bromsgrove are still waiting for their first win in the Midlands Division One, despite a second half fight back. The Boars produced a
Bromsgrove 18 Whitchurch 22 North Midlands Cup BELEAGUERED Bromsgrove could not turn to a cup run to ease their league woes as they lost a hard fought North Midlands Cup quarter final at Finstall Park on Saturday.UNSTOPPABLE FORCE: A Bromsgrove player
Scunthorpe 44 Bromsgrove 3 Midlands Division One NEW-year same old story for beleaguered Bromsgrove as they suffered a six-try defeat in the Midlands Division One on Saturday. A powerful Scunthorpe side quickly ended any hopes that 2006 would allow the
Bromsgrove 19 Market Bosworth 48 Midlands Division One POINTLESS Bromsgrove go into the festive period with little to cheer about after being overpowered by Market Bosworth at Finstall Park on Saturday. The Boars are left stranded at the bottom of the
Bromsgrove 5 Scunthorpe 26 Midlands Division One BROMSGROVE sank even deeper into the relegation mire on Saturday as Scunthorpe beat them at Finstall Park. The Boars remain rooted to the bottom of the table after their seventh defeat in a row in the Midlands
Kettering 27 Bromsgrove 8 Midlands Divsion One INJURY ravaged Bromsgrove are staring into the relegation abyss after defeat away at their fellow relegation strugglers on Saturday. Defeat against Kettering was the Boars sixth in a row to condemn them to
THE Nonentities' latest production is the best version of this famous play that I have ever seen and easily the funniest. The choice of cast was inspired, Trevor Bailey superb as the lecherous doctor, Arthur Wicksteed, and Nicola Blakemore acted her socks
Luctonians 19 Bromsgrove 17 Midlands Division One West DESPITE Bromsgrove scoring the first two tries of the game and racing into a 12-point lead, strong forward play from the hosts Luctonians ultimately consigned Dean Ball's men to their fourth consecutive
BROMSGROVE 14 BURTON 41 Midlands One BROMSGROVE suffered the worst possible start to the Midlands Division One as they were overran by rampant Burton at Finstall Park on Saturday. A Boars side that lacked any punch in the forward line was no match for
WHITCHURCH 3 BROMSGROVE 51 Powergen Trophy NEW look Bromsgrove proved there is life after fly-half Matt Birch as they cruised into the second Midlands round of the Powergen Trophy with a thumping victory over hapless Whitchurch on Saturday. In their first
WORCESTER'S Gilbert and Sullivan Society took us to visit those famous soft-hearted pirates and cowardly police with great aplomb. Frederic ends his apprenticeship with the pirates on reaching 21, but as he was born on February 29 is actually only five
WHEN it comes to picking the handful of truly great bands which have defined the first few years of the 21st century, Kings of Leon will undoubtedly be on the list. The sheer quality of their two albums, released in 2003 and 2004, have won over any cynics
WORCESTER'S much loved antique expert Henry Sandon will be on hand to beguile fans with his many stories at the Swan Theatre on Sunday, July 16. Henry will recall many interesting stories and anecdotes in a bid to raise money for The Friends of the Swan
ONE hundred works by a number of Midlands artists and members of art societies are on show at the gallery at Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Glasshouses in Edgbaston until August 31. This annual summer exhibition is a showcase for gifted and talent artists
A CHANCE remark on television recently that the BBC's 'hard man' Newsnight presenter, Jeremy Paxman, had once lived in Bromsgrove flagged up an idea in the mind of well known local historian and author, Dr Alan Richards. He wondered who else had found
GOING on holiday with friends should be a time of relaxation but, for Alison Elwell-Thomas, a dream holiday to Tunisia turned into a nightmare when she was rushed to hospital with severe abdominal pains. For the Bromsgrove schoolteacher, this had become
VISITORS are being enticed to Bromsgrove and Droitwich Spa by the area's host of attractions. VisitBritain says spending by international visitors in Herefordshire and Worcestershire rose by £1million last year. So next time you have some spare time,
AS the month slipped by the anticipation of what was the town's most exciting day of the year could be felt. All eyes were riveted on the fairgrounds, either Mr Jeffries' field off Market Street or sometimes Crown Close, to spot the advance party arrive
MANY claim this general election campaign has been a boring low-key affair and has failed to spark much enthusiasm. This is despite widespread media coverage with hundreds of column inches written in newspapers and hours of debate on TV. But perhaps that's
A SMOKE alarm can save your life and every home in Bromsgrove should have one. That's the message from town firefighters who are now offering free home safety checks for all residents. The free checks have been gradually growing in popularity but Bromsgrove's
THE man who was brought up in working class Liverpool, in the shadow of Anfield football ground, has an unlikely pedigree for headmaster of Bromsgrove School, writes Adrian Kibbler. But Chris Edwards, who has taught on four continents and in some of England's
ALCESTER & Ragley closed to within a point of Division One leaders Wellesbourne following their six-wicket victory over visitors Ebrington. And it was the in-form Mark Fawthrop who guided them home with an excellent unbeaten knock that saw his side
ADVANCED motoring examiner Bob Chambers was introduced to me as 'the smoothest driver ever', writes Kate Hughes. Bob gives Streetwise Assessments, on behalf of West Mercia police, for drivers who feel they could use a bit of expert advice. A member of
ALCESTER & Ragley face a tricky trip to Norton Lindsey on Saturday (2pm) in their bid for promotion back to the Premeir Division of the Cotswold Hills League. The Ragley Park side currently lie third in Division One, one point behind joint leaders
IF you are happy being single, I wouldn't bother to read the rest of this article. If not, read on because this might just be for you. How many times have you heard colleagues or friends complain that they are too busy to meet that special person. Their
YOUNG entrepreneur Claire Hale has a growing future in childcare since the Prince's Trust helped her take those crucial first steps. After learning all about being a nanny the hard way, Claire set up her own agency and runs it from her home in Ford Road
Father-of-four Tony, of Burcot Lane, Bromsgrove, had worked in advertising and as an art director for a greeting card company for many years. But he had always wanted to write children's books and kept submitting ideas to publishers until his first book
TWO explosions and the deaths of three railways workers in Bromsgrove sparked off a train of thought which led a young engineer to form the worldwide Institution of Mechanical Engineers. It was the mid 19th century and the height of a frantic rush to
HOW many people have said they wished they could have done something when faced with a crisis? A loved one is suddenly struck down with a heart attack, an elderly lady collapses on the pavement in front of you, or you are a witness to an horrific car
REVEALING your innermost secrets or making an utter fool of yourself by imitating a chicken is what we are often led to believe happens when you go under hypnosis, writes Emily Bridgewater. So, when I was invited to check out Bromsgrove's new hypnotherapy
PIPING hot coffee and good conversation were the perfect way to end a brisk winter's walk around Bromsgrove's Sanders Park on Monday. Energetic townsfolk were all smiles in the park's cosy pavilion, enjoying a few minutes rest after completing a three-mile
A SPECIAL service to mark ten years since the tragic minibus crash which claimed the lives of 12 Hagley school children and their teacher, will take place tomorrow (Thursday). The Archbishop of Birmingham, the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, will conduct
HANBURY Hall is set in 400 acres of parkland and garden. Nothing remains of the formal Dutch garden laid out and designed by George London, apart from one long path, the original orangery, and the icehouse. The original gardens were wiped away during
WHETHER you are an advocate of the Atkin's Diet, the F-Plan, or simply believe a little of what you fancy does you good, one thing remains true - breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Whatever the dietary flavour of the week, there is no escaping
FALARAKI, Ayia Napa and Majorca may be today's "hip hop" holiday destinations but in years gone by a fortnight in rural Bosbury was as far as many Bromsgrovians got. Every September thousands of town and city dewellers left the smoke and grime to spend
THE Victoria Ground has staged many memorable battles since Bromsgrove Rovers trotted out for their first game in 1910 after moving there from Well Lane. But matches are usually no more than 90 minutes and at the end the winners generally acknowledge
The Droitwich Theatre and Arts Club Ltd was set up in 1962 to combine various dramatic societies and to run an amateur theatre in the town. Starting out with around 50 members, the club slowly grew. The first production was a pantomime written by two
AN EXHILARATING new hobby is taking the West Midlands by storm. It's the adrenaline, the buzz, the sheer satisfaction that makes The Black Knights Rocket Club take to the air strip to launch their home made rockets. Reporter, Lisa Heritage spoke to founder
CHAMPION sheep keeping teachers Steve and Chris Higgins have learned enough lessons to come top of the class in their hobby. During the day, the couple both work in education. But out of school, Steve and Chris spend their time looking after a flock of
AN ASTONISHING one in nine women in the United Kingdom will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime, writes Emily Bridgewater. It is the most common form of cancer in women, with more than 40,000 cases discovered each year. However, during
NO electricity or running water will become a way of life for a Rednal headteacher who is bound for Uganda this summer. And despite the inevitable presence of 'creepy crawlies', Di Slater, of Rednal Hill Infant School, could barely contain her excitement
The Taylor family has been fostering children for nine years. Chris and Linda, from Friarscroft, have two children of their own and came to fostering by accident when a girl they knew needed somewhere to stay. Lin had been a nurse at Barnsley Hall hospital
John Tidmarsh was born in the Vale of Evesham in 1925, the age of gentlemen, and during my visit to his home it became clear he retains the charm and dignity of that era. John was one of seven children. His father was a successful market gardener, like
CALL me a wimp if you like but heights have always held a terror for me, that's why I'm more than happy living in a bungalow, writes Pete Lammas. Having said that I'm also fascinated by height especially tall buildings, just as long as I can grasp something
Mountainous waves, extreme climates and the taste of death might sound like key elements of an action film but for one town resident it was the harsh reality on board the destroyer HMS Beagle during the Second World War. Peter Ward has now written a book
THE united Sunday Schools tea and sports day for Lickey and Rubery were held in Monument Grounds. After a short service at the Lickey Church, the children gathered together and marched to the grounds, preceded by a band. The sports took place after tea
GETTING over a broken heart can seem like an impossible task when you are stuck in the grief of a divorce, writes Kate Hughes. The pain and isolation can appear overwhelming and it is often hard just to get through the day. But now a workshop is being
Walking into the Tindall's home, it is impossible not to feel awe-struck by the black and white pictures of Mike's footballing days which line the hallway. The Penmanor resident talks enthusiastically about his time as an Aston Villa wing half in the
A MUM-to-be has spoken of her fears following the decision to axe the maternity ward at the Alexandra Hospital. Andrea Dixon, who is expecting her second child in December, said plans to shut the department, revealed by the Advertiser last week, were
WORK had started on the new £27m general hospital at Woodrow to serve Bromsgrove and Redditch, although the first patients would not be admitted until 1987. The cutting of the first sod was carried out by health chief Ted Meredith. SUNSEEKERS in Bromsgrove
BROMSGROVE'S Sally Larner became the top junior girl gymnast in Britain when she won a major competition at Wembley. The 12-year-old, from Echells Close, was the youngest competitor at the Thames Television Junior Gymnastics Championship, yet she won
HEAVY snow, ice and gales combined to wreak havoc throughout Bromsgrove on Sunday. The weight of snow and branches blown onto overhead power lines combined to black out 30,000 homes in the district. Many events had to be cancelled due to the severe unseasonal
A POLITICAL row has broken out over plans to axe the maternity department at the Alexandra Hospital. The town's Conservative Parliamentary spokeswoman, Karen Lumley, claims the Alex is bearing the brunt of the county's health service cost-cutting measures
RUBERY butcher John Brown got away lightly when he appeared at Bromsgrove Police Court charged with slaughtering beasts in unlicensed premises, despite repeated warnings not to. Rubery was not connected to the sewer and Brown said many private individuals
BROCKHILL residents have criticised proposals for a "totally unnecessary" development they say will destroy a natural feature which gave Redditch its name. Persimmon Homes has applied to build a convenience store, day nursery and office units on vacant
A REDDITCH professor has just weeks left before he embarks on a gruelling 4,500-mile sponsored bike trip in Australia in aid of the Alexandra Hospital's League of Friends and Mencap. Barrie Wade chose to participate in the marathon "anniversary challenge
THOSE who thought the glorious weather over Easter had signalled the end of winter were mistaken. At the start of this week the mercury fell and the wind turned to the north and east and on Thursday, Bromsgrove experienced its heaviest snowfall of the
