Archive

  • Girl, 15, charged with grave attack

    A 15-YEAR-OLD girl has been charged with knocking down gravestones in Bromsgrove Cemetery. The teenager is accused of vandalising 14 of the headstones in the Bromsgrove District Council-run cemetery, in Church Street, on Monday. The girl, who cannot be

  • Rebuilt classic is a star car

    A RUBERY man who rescued a rare classic car from oblivion is set to see it on display at a national motor show. Maurice Palmer, of Rea Road, painstakingly rebuilt the 1953 Morgan Plus Four over 12 months from a collection of parts. The car is distinctive

  • Friendly fuel scheme

    A GREEN-MINDED councillor is set to call for changes to be made to vehicles owned by Bromsgrove District Council. Cllr David McGrath (Lab, Beacon) says the time is right for the authority to spearhead its environmental health clean air policy. The district's

  • Warning that water levels are likely to beat recent records

    HOMEOWNERS in Bewdley have been warned to expect the worst with river levels likely to beat recent records. The Environment Agency has warned residents to expect levels could be higher than the severe floods which swept the county in 1998 when the River

  • Storm hits hard

    A DROITWICH Spa business is counting the cost of this week's storms. The manager at Droitwich Land Rover, in Hanbury Road, Andrew Street, arrived at work on Monday to find three crushed Land Rover vehicles. They had been hit by an uprooted horse-chestnut

  • Vote to sell off housing

    THOUSANDS of Worcester families are a step closer to having a new landlord after councillors decided their homes should be sold. Councillors debating the issue at Worcester City Council's full meeting last night heard that the authority could no longer

  • Commission's plans 'an insult' to dead of world wars

    A WORCESTER veteran who served in the Second World War says he is disgusted at suggestions that payments to war graves gardeners abroad could be cut. An independent investigation into the pay structure of the gardeners' allowances will report directly

  • Rally duo take title

    BROMSGROVE rally aces Nathan Crewe and Chris Clifford clinched their second title of the season when they won the Sweet Lamp Welsh Clubman 1400 Rally Championship. The Cottrill Tran-sport/Nailers Arms Restaurant backed crew had already scooped the Heart

  • All the latest junior football scores and scorers

    DROITWICH Spa U15s 2 Newtown Sports U15s 4. Spa lost their 100 per cent record but credit to Newtown who took their chances well. Adam Bourne and Matt Hughes were the pick of the Spa team. Brierley Hill East U11s 0 Droitwich Spa Lions U11s 1. Lions showed

  • CASH-STRAPPED YOUTH CENTRE FACES CLOSURE

    A POPULAR town youth centre could close if funding is not secured. Droitwich Spa Adventure Playground, in King George Playing Fields, faces an uncertain future because its main financial source has dried up. The centre, set up nine years ago, has received

  • Gemma's joy

    DROITWICH Ladies' Firsts 2 Bournville Ladies' Firsts 2. Gemma Richards opened the scoring for Spa after some good passing. Bournville equalised soon after and Spa goalkeeper Helen Dent had to be in form to save a free kick. Bournville doubled their lead

  • BRIDGE

    BROMSGROVE Bridge Club results for October 17. North/South - first Peter Oliver and Neil Constable, second Keith Collins and Monica Osborne, third Ed Payne and Paul MacLachlan. East/West - first Judith Marsh and Sheila Short, second Val Baggett and Pam

  • Shop calls in ghost expert

    TWO sisters have called on help from a ghostbuster to investigate what they believe is paranormal activity in their High Street shop. Rachel and Sarah Burgess, of the Ickle Gift Shop, claim they have experienced spooky goings on in their rented 15th century

  • Labour must listen harder

    ONE of the agenda items at the full council meeting on October 23 was the bid for lottery funds for a Healthy Living Centre. The Labour Government has ring-fenced funds - via the New Opportunities Fund - and cut back on capital which local community-based

  • Confine the lot to history

    WITH reference to E Smith's comments on my letter (Advertiser, October 25): The Terry Field sale took place over a quarter of a century ago, well before I came to live in Redditch. It was sold legally and used correctly and the proceeds spent in the correct

  • Thank you for the music

    MY husband and I went to see Musical Magic at the Palace Theatre and we would like to say how much we enjoyed the show and how impressed we were with the professional composition. Nothing could be faulted. The vocalists were brilliant. The Elite Dancers

  • Jacqui Smith MP writes for the Redditch Advertiser

    I WAS in the House of Commons last week for the long-awaited BSE report. This issue was raised with me several years ago by constituent Marie Lawrence, whose fiance, Mike, was sadly among the first people to die from variant CJD. At the time, I raised

  • Young farmers need recruits

    YOUNG people who may one day lead the rural industry in Bromsgrove and Droitwich Spa are being invited to join a group of like-minded people. The Worcestershire branch of the Young Farmers' Club (YFC) is targeting folk who have an interest in the countryside

  • Parking fee rise to hit shoppers

    OUTRAGED Kingfisher Centre shoppers have been left reeling following a sudden hike in car park charges. Certain prices for multi-storey Car Parks 1,2,3 and 4 will increase from Monday, including a 40p rise for people visiting the centre for up to two

  • Redditch win ends run of five defeats

    REDDITCH recorded a morale-boosting win over lower league Warley at the weekend. The struggling side ended a run of five straight defeats with a 38-10 friendly win after a change to the advertised fixture. Skipper Andy Douglas changed things around and

  • Stourport batter weakened Alcester

    Alcester 0 Stourport 25 The unbeaten visitors faced a depleted Alcester forced into making five changes to the team beaten by Marconi. Stourport went ten points up after only five minutes, both tries coming from Alcester errors. A Stourport back row forward

  • Quiz whizz Andrew back in TV spotlight

    A QUIZ-show fanatic from Beoley kept his cool last night after reaching the final round of one of the most intimidating programmes on television. Andrew Procter, 26, appeared on the The Weakest Link Champion's League, presented by the woman known as tv's

  • Market fate to be learnt

    PROPOSALS to locate Redditch Market in a permanent spot on Silver Street in the town centre will be put to traders within the next two weeks. The move comes after the Redditch Advertiser revealed last week the new temporary location of the market, which

  • Vicious gang sought

    A GANG of youths launched a prolonged and vicious attack on a lone man travelling on a Redditch bus last Thursday night. Police are investigating the assault which happened at about 11.30pm on the number 58 bus travelling form Church Green in the town

  • Singer aided by a princely sum!

    A REDDITCH woman has been given a helping hand and a financial boost to assist her on her path to a career in the music industry. Single mother Louisa Ford, 21, lives at a housing project called Smallwood Alms House, in Smallwood. Until she moved into

  • Supporters appeal from town charity

    VOLUNTEERS are needed in Redditch to help a charity which supports parents who have lost a child over the age of 16. Parents Experiencing Adult Loss (PEAL), which was formed a year ago, is eager to recruit volunteers from Redditch to support bereaved

  • Running up big cash for kids' causes

    REDDITCH Advertiser sub-editor Sarah Cowen clocked a personal best when she competed in the Great Northern Run, despite having to wear a green bin liner to brave the cold. The energetic mother of four took on fierce winds and freezing temperatures to

  • Bricks to build hope

    Wythall residents can help lay the foundations of a £50,000 project to build a centre for young people with the launch of a "buy-a-brick" campaign. Wythall Parish Church and charity Cornerstone set up the millennium project to provide accommodation for

  • Pupils net top tables

    ARROW Vale Community Sports College is having a ball after receiving a donation from a Redditch company. Kettler GB has donated 10 tournament-sized table tennis tables to schools throughout the county, with six making their way to Arrow Vale. Paul Bevington

  • Residents' joy at homes rejection

    RESIDENTS of Plymouth Road are celebrating after councillors rejected a planning application. The application from Barteak Properties would have meant 15 houses and eight three-bedroom flats on land next to the bus station. But eight letters of objection

  • 1/11/00 - Pope on transfer list at Harriers

    KIDDERMINSTER Harriers have put defender Steve Pope on the transfer list. The 24-year-old former Crewe campaigner's first team opportunities this season have been limited because of the good form of Mark Shail, Adie Smith and Craig Hinton. Pope initially

  • Council's cottage plan to raise cash

    FORGE Mill Cottage and tearooms are to be sold off as part of Redditch Council's three-year cost-cutting project, Focus on the Future. The cottage is currently being used as council offices and will be sold off as a house, despite not having planning

  • Staying safe on streets

    A NEW class has started at Arrow Vale Sports Centre on Thursday evenings aimed at helping adults defend themselves should they come under attack from assailants on the street. The lessons, which are part of the British Free-fighting organisation, are

  • Chance to choose best bypass route

    REDDITCH folk are this week being invited to Redditch Town Hall for consultation on options for a bypass around Studley. The display follows a recent exhibition of 10 potential traffic improvement schemes at Studley Village Hall, which drew 2,700 people

  • Couple fined for race abuse to neighbours

    A CHURCH Hill couple have been found guilty of racially abusing their neighbours. Steven and Sharon Hayes, of Edgeworth Close, were each fined £100 by Redditch magistrates after a hearing on Friday. Mr Hayes, 32, also admitted threatening to fight his

  • Tree of light is set for launch

    THE Primrose Hospice annual Tree of Light appeal kicks off this week as the charity strives to raise thousands of pounds. The hospice, based in Bromsgrove, provides support for cancer sufferers and their families. This year's tree will be in Park Walk

  • Hope for victims of violence at home

    A MAJOR project to help victims of domestic violence will be officially launched in Redditch this month. The plans to set up the NEW Hope scheme in Redditch and Bromsgrove were announced almost a year ago. And now with a full time co-ordinator and proposals

  • Firm springs to regional finals

    A REDDITCH spring manufacturer has been shortlisted to stand for a prestigious regional award. Peterson Spring UK Ltd, Hewell Road, has been chosen as a potential finalist in the annual Midlands Excellence Awards, emphasising a move by the company to

  • 1/11/00 - Pope on transfer list at Harriers

    KIDDERMINSTER Harriers have put defender Steve Pope on the transfer list. The 24-year-old former Crewe campaigner's first team opportunities this season have been limited because of the good form of Mark Shail, Adie Smith and Craig Hinton. Pope initially

  • Brine pit plan in Vines Park

    THE historic Droitwich Spa salt industry will be celebrated with the construction of a replica brine pit. A working model of the Upwych Brine Pit will be built in Vines Park, off Saltway, in the coming months. Wychavon District Council will fund the £8,500

  • Royal visitor

    RESIDENTS at a home for the elderly in Droitwich welcomed a Royal guest last Wednesday. Dorset House, in Blackfriars Avenue, is owned and managed by RSAS Age Care. The charity's patron, the Duchess of Gloucester, opened a new wing at the site. She was

  • £7,000 boost for anglers

    LIFE has been made easier for anglers in Droitwich with 11 new platforms to sling their hooks from. Wychavon District Council and the Environment Agency arranged for the posts to be sunk into the bed of Heriotts Pool, off Worcester Road. A Wychavon spokeswoman

  • Sparkling show

    A FIREWORK display will set the night sky alight at a huge bonfire bash. The event this Saturday begins at 6.30pm and fireworks will be let off from a barge moored on the canal at the basin end, in Hampton Road. Food and drinks will be up for grabs and

  • Sixways blow as Va'a is ruled out

    WORCESTER Rugby Club will have to do without Samoan fly- half Earl Va'a at Saracens if they come through their Tetley Bitter Cup fourth round clash at Tynedale on Saturday. The Sixways team, due to play at Vicarage Road in the fifth round on November

  • Pope on transfer list at Harriers

    KIDDERMINSTER Harriers have put defender Steve Pope on the transfer list. The 24-year-old former Crewe campaigner's first team opportunities this season have been limited because of the good form of Mark Shail, Adie Smith and Craig Hinton. Pope initially

  • Clubs say they won't break away

    ENGLAND'S leading rugby union clubs last night insisted they had no plans for a breakaway in the aftermath of Rob Andrew's resignation. Andrew quit his role in Club England on Monday over the Rugby Football Union's failure to implement his blueprint for

  • Blues handed cup reward

    BIRMINGHAM City have been rewarded with a home tie against either Newcastle United or Bradford City in the fourth round of the Worthington Cup. It follows their tremendous 3-1 win at Tottenham last night when striker Dele Adebola scored two first-half

  • Rovers shoot down Swifts

    BROMSGROVE ROVERS 4 STOURPORT SWIFTS 3 (Bromsgrove won 6-5 after extra time) MARK Benbow was the penalty hero for Bromsgrove Rovers in a Worcestershire Royal Infirmary Cup final second leg of high drama at the Victoria Ground last night. The attacking

  • Prince set to be crowned

    NORDIC Prince has been a revelation this season and can register his fifth win of the campaign in the Martin Talbot Memorial Novices' Handicap Chase at Haydock Park tomorrow. The nine-year-old had lost his way until his trainer John O'Shea produced a

  • Psychic offering comes to theatre

    A MEDIUM and psychic author will be hosting an evening of clairvoyance at the Palace Theatre as part of a 30-date Visions of Another World UK tour next month. Psychic since childhood, Stephen O'Brien often "saw" people others could not see and for the

  • A political concern

    Re: Alvechurch Parish Poll "Save our Pound." Who are these people that Gill Langley, Alvechurch Parish Council clerk, calls disreputable? If any is disreputable it is those councils that are using council tax money to set up an office in Brussels. I feel

  • Bad news for rally star Pablo

    STUDLEY rally ace Pablo Raybould has been told he is unlikely to be allowed to compete in the Network Q Rally of Great Britain. Raybould, who has competed in the Kenyan leg of the World Championship, has been placed 14th on the list of reserves for the

  • Flying start for B&R stars

    Bromsgrove & Redditch AC's boys cross country squad enjoyed a flying start to the season. After silver at Uttoxeter and fourth place in the Middle Road Relays, the team of Matthew Addison, Richard White, Joe Frascina and Ralph Curtiss showed more

  • Allen back to face league leaders

    REDDITCH player-manager Rob Allen is gunning for a recall against visiting league leaders Stafford on Saturday (1.30pm start). Allen has been carrying a hamstring injury but played for half an hour in the 1-1 weekend draw at Pershore. Fellow midfielder

  • Granville Rose to the occasion

    Pershore 1 Redditch 1 Redditch started strongly pushing Pershore back for most of the first half, but could not find a final ball. Pershore looked disciplined at the back, picking up sloppy passes and capitalising on poor play. With each poor ball Pershore

  • Paxton blow for Regals

    League leaders Redditch Regals have been hit by the loss of two spot Shelley Paxton after a recurrence of knee ligament problems. Paxton has been ruled out until Christmas ahead of the visit of West Midlands Police on Sunday (tip-off 6.15pm). The Regals

  • Warriors beat off Unknowns

    Warriors stayed unbeaten in the Wednesday Leisure Leagues campaign after a 1-0 win over Unknowns. But Unknowns stayed top of the Abbey High School league on goal difference after an 8-1 win over basement boys Ravensmere, but Warriors have a game in hand

  • Titles settled on finals day

    THE men's and women's doubles champions were crowned at Wythall Tennis Club finals day. Maureen Bridges and Hazel Buckle triumphed in the Pedvin finals, named after former president Ted Pedvin and his wife Jean. And Pete Thomas and Duncan Pugh were crowned

  • 1/11/00 - Clubs say they won't break away

    ENGLAND'S leading rugby union clubs last night insisted they had no plans for a breakaway in the aftermath of Rob Andrew's resignation. Andrew quit his role in Club England on Monday over the Rugby Football Union's failure to implement his blueprint for

  • Action group to fight building plan

    OUTRAGED residents are up in arms after they discovered plans to build a massive two-storey building at the bottom of their gardens. The campaigners, who live in Churchfields Road, Bromsgrove, have formed an action committee against the proposals to redevelop

  • More realistic?

    MR Reynolds (You Say, October 28), objects to swear words in films and plays. Most men, and quite a few women, swear to some extent when under stress, so you could argue that these writers are just being more realistic. GEORGE COWLEY, Worcester.

  • Where have all the trains gone

    WHERE have all the trains gone - long time passing, everyone! Why does it appear that no one within the rail system appears to know what anyone else is doing? For example, expensive tickets that don't cover all your journeys. You try and get information

  • 1/11/00 - Malvern march on at Kington

    MALVERN Town returned from Kington last night having recorded a fine 2-1 win in the Banks's Brewery Premier League. However, they had to come from behind after the home side went ahead in the 30th minute with a free-kick. Malvern hit back in almost identical

  • What a sad collection

    WHAT a sad collection of people P Hughes and his colleagues must be to slag off George Cowley in the way that they have. I have been on the receiving end of George's caustic criticism in the past but I have a thick enough skin to take it. The world would

  • Memories of life before the NHS

    ALL the miserable, moaning gripers who go on about our Health Service make me so annoyed. All I can say is go and live in America the " richest country in the world", where no health service exists and ordinary folk who can't pay don't get the drugs or

  • Arcade's gates are hideous

    I READ Janet Hill's comments (Evening News, October 18) on the new gates of the revamped City Arcade with interest. I also think that these gates look hideous and I was surprised to read that the planning committee was never given the opportunity to comment

  • 1/11/00 - We can't dwell on Cup choker

    THE FA Cup defeat at Hampton and Richmond Borough on Saturday was a huge disappointment to us, but we have to get over it as quickly as possible with the FA Trophy coming up this weekend. I don't think we were ever in with a chance to establish a base

  • Player influx

    A WHOLE host of players have joined Bromsgrove Rovers following George Rooney's departure. Defender Alex Winstone, a former apprentice at Wolverhampton Wanderers, has re-signed, while midfielder Kevin Jinks has also returned to the club. John Humphrey

  • Rooney: I've got no axe to grind

    GEORGE Rooney is walking away from the Victoria Ground with his head held high following his split with cash-strapped Rovers. The former Worcester City and Bath City supremo struggled to find a winning formula during his four-month stint in charge, recording

  • Holder's hope

    THE only Chinese take-away Blackwell badminton star Stuart Holder will be hoping for in the next fortnight is a gold medal. The 18-year-old is currently over in Guangzhou, China with the English Junior Badminton squad playing against the world's best

  • In the hands of accountants

    THANKFULLY, Peter Jarrett, in his letter on your letters page, did not deny my assertion that spin is used by all political parties to highlight their pronouncements. My main concern, and the concern, I believe, of all voters, is to receive verifiable

  • Be vigilant for all our sakes

    THIS letter is directed at those honest and decent people that we still have in our society as a warning against those who follow a different path. On the evening of October 18, between 7.30pm and 8pm my son's new Suzuki motor vehicle was broken into

  • Reunion a success

    WE had a most enjoyable evening at our school reunion at St Andrew's Hotel, in Droitwich Spa. We were the year of 1960 and 40 years later most of us recognised each other! Many, many thanks to Pam Bridge (nee Price) for organising this evening. From two

  • Heath target

    KINGS Heath manager Sean Lawless is close to signing an unnamed Dr Martens League striker after losing the services of dangerman James Miah. Miah, who has been tracked by Lye Meadow landlords Alvechurch, has ruled himself out for the rest of the season

  • Campion capture

    FECKENHAM manager Clive Campion took advantage of Saturday's weather-enforced postponement to complete more wheeler-dealing. The Millers boss, who completed the signing of Alvechurch defender Carl Dainter last week, went back to his near neighbours to

  • Alvechurch fell Timbers

    Handrahan Timbers 2 Alvechurch 2 (aet) (Alvechurch won 5-4 on penalties). A penalty shoot-out win was justified with Alvechurch allowing the hosts to nose in front in normal time before levelling in the final throes of extra time. Neither side played

  • A hectic week in the history of Rovers

    PAT Bannister is close to finalising a deal to buy former Bromsgrove Rovers' chairman Stuart Arnold's shares in the club. The chief executive received written confirmation from Stuart Arnold's solicitor that his fresh offer to buy the former chairman's

  • Club aiming to extend admission

    THE fate of late-night clubbers will be sealed on Monday when councillors meet to discuss extending admission times to a Bromsgrove nightclub. The hearing will be presented before Bromsgrove District Council's licensing sub-committee, which will decide

  • Report discussion 'whitewash' -- claim

    A SHOCKED top Labour councillor claims moves to discuss behind closed doors a 100-page report alleging serious irregularities and practices within Bromsgrove Council House is just a "whitewash." Bromsgrove district councillor Peter McDonald (Uffdown and

  • Website is a big hit

    OUR new community website has proved hugely popular with groups in Bromsgrove and Droitwich Spa. The Communigate project gives organisations the chance to create their own website for free. In less than 30 minutes, you can have a site up and running on

  • Top level talks on land sale

    AUDITORS for Bromsgrove District Council have called for top level talks with the authority's bosses to talk about the sale of its land. The district's Labour leader Cllr Peter McDonald (Uffdown and Waseley) says he has received a letter calling for the

  • Cyclists net record

    A RECORD £27,000 has been collected for Leukaemia Research by charitable cyclists. The total for September's North Worcestershire Bikeathon smashed last year's £20,000 and organisers hope the final figure may be as high as £30,000. A range of prizes for

  • Foot guest of honour at supper

    FORMER Labour party leader Michael Foot was guest of honour at a supper evening in Bromsgrove. More than 100 members from the town's constituency turned up to event, at Avoncroft Museum's Guesten Hall, on Saturday. Bromsgrove district councillor Peter

  • Headless body: arrests are made

    TWO men have been arrested on suspicion of the murder of a man whose decapitated body was discovered in a park in Rednal. Julian Sanders's body was discovered five months ago by a man walking his dog in Cofton Park. His head was yards away from his body

  • No asylum seekers

    BROMSGROVE is 'unlikely' to receive any asylum seekers under the Government plan to relieve pressure on the south of the country. The National Asylum Seekers Service (NASS) decided rural areas such as Worcestershire might have difficulty linking asylum

  • New owner for prime riverside site

    THE former Stocks Lovell site in Mill Street, Evesham, has changed hands for an undisclosed sum. Umberslade Securities Limited has sold the former bacon factory site to developers, KingsOak - an arm of the Barrett Development plc. The company, based in

  • Redditch Philatelic Society

    THE latest speaker was Bernard Symonds, of Southam, who gave a display of New Zealand stamps and postal history. Mr Symond's talk started with the first issue of New Zealand stamps in 1855, known as ''Chalon Heads'' after the artist who painted the picture

  • Weatheroak group of WIs

    AT the autumn group meeting, hosted by Sandhills Green WI, members heard a talk by David Howe about the wives of Prime Ministers entitled ''The Spouse Girls''. Many humorous anecdotes were related and only four Prime Ministers have not been married. Gladstone

  • 100 years ago

    November 3, 1900 AN interesting and humorous entertainment entitled "The Fun of the Fair" was given in National Schools House, Alvechurch, on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings by the children attending the above school. Children's entertainments are always

  • 50 years ago

    November 4, 1950 MR George Bolton, Royal Enfield distributor, of Adelaide, Australia, who is an expert amateur cinematographer, gave a first-class film show in colour to employees and friends at the Enfield canteen, Redditch, last Wednesday. Throughout

  • 25 years ago

    November 4, 1950 MR George Bolton, Royal Enfield distributor, of Adelaide, Australia, who is an expert amateur cinematographer, gave a first-class film show in colour to employees and friends at the Enfield canteen, Redditch, last Wednesday. Throughout

  • No end of jobs for this Noel

    BUDDING retail workers could find a Christmas cracker of a job thanks to a festive Jobsfair planned for Worcester. Worcester JobCentre will be showcasing hundreds of holiday season vacancies at the event in the CrownGate, due to be opened by Worcester

  • Spire repairs to start soon

    WORK on restoring St Stephen's Church spire will start before the end of the month following a seven-year appeal, it has finally been announced. The news comes after successful talks between the town centre church and English Heritage, which agreed to

  • Heavy storms wreak havoc

    THESE were the scenes of flooding in Bromsgrove following severe storms on Sunday night which brought railways to a halt, blocked roads and cut power to hundreds of homes. Waist-high floods under the railway bridge in Hanbury Road, Stoke Prior, on Monday

  • Attempted murder charge

    A WELL-KNOWN figure in Bromsgrove sport appeared before magistrates on Monday charged with the attempted murder of two women and an indecent assault on one of them. Secretary of the Bromsgrove Advertiser/Messenger District Football League Peter Townsend

  • Dog deaths spark inquiry

    A HOUSING developer is carrying out investigations after two dogs died following walks on land in Bromsgrove which the firm recently doused with weedkiller. Bromsgrove District Council contacted Westbury, which, about a month ago sprayed the site at Parklands

  • Health services face debt burden

    HEALTH services in Bromsgrove may be burdened with debt from other areas under management restructuring plans, health watchdogs fear. All the non-acute hospital services in Worcestershire are being reorganised to manage their own funds but at its meeting

  • Bosses act on inquest plea

    DOG owners have been banned from exercising their pets during the peak season on the beach where a Rednal youngster died from a killer bug. Between April 1 and September 1 the four-legged friends are not allowed on part of the stretch at Dawlish Warren

  • FLOODING: THE WORST IS STILL TO COME

    THE west side of Worcester was within inches of being cut off today as rising floodwater threatened to submerge city centre roads. As the River Severn continued to swell, emergency services said Worcester's New Road could soon be under water. If the city's

  • Families rescued

    FAMILIES living in a Worcester street have had to evacuate their homes today after flooding fears mounted. Some of the Diglis Avenue residents are now living at a rest centre provided by the city council as emergency planners dubbed this week's floods

  • Husband, wife caught as Severn rises rapidly

    A COUPLE caught out by rapidly-rising floodwater had to be taken to safety by firefighters in the brigade's river rescue boat after becoming stranded in their home. David Melling and his wife were taken to safety by three members of the city's Red Watch

  • Warning as youths risk lives on an old boat

    WORCESTER firefighters have urged people not to take chances with dangerous floodwaters after two teenage boys had a narrow escape when they boarded a boat floating on Pitchcroft racecourse. Alec Mackie, of Hereford and Worcester Fire Service, said the

  • Traders decide not to back Nellie

    A PENSIONER who has failed to turn her business into a home has received another blow with the news that her neighbours have decided to side with the council. Seven businessmen with shops in Droitwich High Street say if Nellie Copson is allowed to change

  • Landlord turns into ferryman

    IT was all hands on deck yesterday at one riverside pub when the landlord turned boatman to keep up trade. Jim Wainwright was determined to keep the beer pumps, not water pumps, working when the River Severn burst its banks flooding the grounds of The

  • Crash victim airlifted to hospital

    A WOMAN was airlifted to hospital today after a three-vehicle crash which closed a road near Worcester. Firefighters cut the motorist from her Ford Ka which was in collision with a Toyota Carina and a Hi-ace van just after 8am near The Nash, just off

  • Combination round up

    REDDITCH and South Warwickshire Combination results: Studley Charity Cup Round Two: Droitwich Spa 2 (Michael Cox, Michael Brown) Studley Sporting 1 (Mark Theams). Hunt Crane Cup: Tardebigge 2 (Simon Stansfield, Danny Williams) Kings FC 3. The Swan (Alvechurch

  • Town look to bolster squad

    BROMSGROVE Town Under 13s are on the lookout for two established players to boost their push for the Central Warwickshire Division One title. Players must be aged under 13 by August 1, 2000. If you think you have the quality to compete in this high standard

  • Harry's sailed to success

    BARNT Green Sailing Club teenager Harry Marshall has enjoyed a fantastic season on the water. The 14-year-old won the Midland Area Championship in the Optimist class -- an international youth racing dinghy --for the third year running. Then he clinched

  • Kids battle it out for Shield

    AN exciting day of grass roots rugby is in store at Droitwich Rugby Club this Saturday morning when sides from Bromsgrove, Droitwich, Evesham and Halesowen meet to compete for the Regal Garage invitation shield. Year seven school teams from Aston Fields

  • MP fears for post office

    DROITWICH Spa MP Peter Luff has warned that Droitwich's main post office could be in danger. The Tory MP fears the counters in Ombersley Street East may shut as part of a national restructuring scheme. He recently lost a battle to save Evesham's town

  • Sick of paying for this vandalism

    WHEN I first came to live in Redditch 23 years ago, it was a small market town. While out walking with my children, what I saw was a sea of mud in which men were working to build homes for people to live in. The conditions were so bad that one workman

  • Free veterans of their grave fears

    IT may seem a small concern, when the county's landscape is disappearing beneath rising flood water, to turn our attention to foreign fields. But the fear of Second World War veterans that the people who look after war graves abroad may be in line for

  • A legacy of Tory policy

    HAVING read Karen Lumley's letter (Advertiser, October 25), I cannot help but comment on her statements about our health service. If we had left it to the Tories, our health service would be practically non-existent - that's the main reason they were

  • Grace cares about country

    JUST a note in defence of former nurse Grace Wetton, who last week was unjustly accused in print by Gill Lungley and Alvechurch Parish Council of being disreputable and mischief making. Grace has devoted all her working days to caring for others and helping

  • Democracy was denied

    WITH regard to Alvechurch parish poll, it is disreputable that our council tax money is being used to set up an office in Brussels. We were not informed that our council tax was being used for this purpose and I feel very angry about my money being wasted

  • Our villages are missing!

    I AM confused. We seem to have lost Astwood Bank and New End! Let me explain. When I travel up Edgioake Lane and reach the 30mph limit, I am met with a splendid notice telling me that I am entering Cookhill. I then turn left into Evesham Road and shortly

  • Beaten Alcester enjoy Shield boost

    STRUGGLING Alcester cruised into the second round of the Warwickshire Shield after opponents Leamington Ford failed to raise a side. The Warwickshire One outfit were hammered 25-0 in a hastily arranged friendly with North Mids One side Stourport. Second

  • Cashier foils raid attempt

    A BRAVE cashier followed security procedure and foiled an attempted robbery at a Redditch petrol station. The incident happened at about 3.45am on Saturday at Bryant's Petrol Station, Woodrow Drive. One or more people approached the night cashier and

  • Returning stars lift Woodrush

    WOODRUSH RFC were boosted by the return of back row Jamie Maddocks and full back Martin Leech as they recorded their first home win of the season. Friendly opponents Birmingham Exiles were beaten 6-3 in a low-scoring affair with Leech and Maddocks back

  • Bobby on beat for charity

    A REDDITCH police officer will be blowing his own trumpet at a concert to raise money for a youngster whose limbs were ravaged by meningitis when she was three. Pc Richard Waterhouse and the West Mercia Force band will be performing at St Bedes Middle

  • Who's a little lovely then?

    REDDITCH has once again proved it boasts a bevy of bonny babies as the results of The Redditch Advertiser Baby of the Year Competition 2000 are announced. Townsfolk's votes selected Danny Joeh Pardoe as the overall winner. Danny and his family have won

  • Mum vows to keep up BSE campaign

    A REDDITCH woman who lost her fianc to CJD has vowed to keep campaigning to make sure the BSE crisis never happens again. Marie Lawrence made her comments as the BSE inquiry came to a conclusion at the end of last week after more than three years. Ms

  • Charity begins at home

    WORKERS for a Redditch charity have proved they are willing to give more than just their time to help a good cause. Staff from Nightstop are the first Redditch charity workers to sign up to the Caring and Sharing scheme. The scheme provides a way for

  • Brothers in arms

    THE brother of an RAF navigator who was killed in 1944 has come forward following an appeal in the Redditch Advertiser. Last week, we told of the search for facts about Redditch man F/Sgt Cyril Bayliss, who flew his last fateful mission in a Lancaster

  • Shed thefts alert

    A RECENT increase in the number of thefts from sheds and garages has prompted Redditch police to issue a warning reminding householders to secure their property. Police advise "common sense" measures such as adequate locks, security marking, and noting

  • Public is to have a say

    REDDITCH councillors have narrowly voted in favour of hearing public opinions at planning meetings. The system, which gives members of the public the right to speak at planning meetings, will operate for a six-month trial period from Tuesday, November

  • Delay on decisions

    TWO planning issues which have caused a stir around Redditch have been deferred yet again by councillors. A plan for a housing development on land off High Street in Feckenham has been met with furious reactions from village residents. At a planning meeting

  • Treatment starts for hospital A&E

    WORK on a £600,000 project to upgrade the A&E department at the Alexandra Hospital is under way. The work, which includes increasing the number of treatment bays from 11 to 16 and a new paediatric unit for children, is expected to take up to six months

  • Joining forces for safety plea

    firefighters and police officers are urging people to have a fun but safe time on Bonfire Night. There are many rules people should abide by if they are holding a private party but most are encouraged to go to an organised event, where there is less chance

  • Bonfire night to go with a bang!

    AS bonfire night draws near, Redditch folk can expect an entire weekend packed full with sparkling events, all guaranteed to be a blazing success. On Friday, Tardebigge First School will be holding a family firework spectacular, with a bonfire being lit

  • Council's party in park

    THE council's free firework event at Arrow Valley Park on Friday, November 3. The site will open to the public at 6pm. As well as the huge display, there will also be food stalls and a funfair, the display will be held at 7.30pm. There will be free, limited

  • Boost for baby unit

    THE Alexandra Hospital's Special Care Baby Unit will benefit from £236 raised from a night of Musical Magic at the Palace Theatre last month. The one-night performance raised £136 and organisers added a further £100, which was held in trust following

  • Language barrier to health care

    LANGUAGE is the biggest barrier for ethnic minority groups trying to access health services in Redditch, a study has revealed. Redditch Community Relations Council and the All Women's House in Smallwood carried out the research as part of Redditch Primary

  • Family gathers to mark big day

    A HUGE family reunion was held for a special couple celebrating 50 years of marriage. Jean and Austen Reeves tied the knot on October 21, 1950, at St John's Church in Sparkhill, Birmingham. Although the couple met at a roller-skating rink in Birmingham

  • Goal netted by Reds chairman

    REDDITCH United Football Club chairman Rod Laight got the result he wanted when he teamed up with Redditch chartered surveyor John Truslove to look for commercial property. And the deadly duo formed a formidable strikeforce when they found Unit 11, Sherwood

  • GIRLS LAND A VICTORY!

    EIGHT members of the Women's Land Army who were stationed at Alcester in 1940 have been invited to take part in a Remembrance Day parade in London following recognition that the WLA was influential during the war. Joyce Byers, Vera Wall, Gladys Tarver

  • Costume capers

    THERE were eerie goings on in Droitwich Spa when children prepared spooky props for Hallowe'en. Youngsters from Safehands Holiday Club, based at the Youth House, in Stalls Farm Road, had ghoulishly good fun on Monday making springy spiders, masks, capes

  • Woman assaulted

    A WOMAN was assaulted as she walked from Droitwich town centre to the Westlands estate. Police are appealing for witnesses following the attack between 10pm and 10.40pm on Sunday October 22. The 36-year-old was walking from Ledwych Road towards King George

  • Drug syringes left in subway

    A WORRIED councillor fears children could be at risk from drug addicts littering Spa streets with used syringes. A Chawson pensioner who discovered two hypodermic needles in Celvestune Way approached Droitwich Spa town Cllr John Cook (Lab, Droit.West)

  • Defiant Nellie's planning D-Day

    A DETERMINED Droitwich pensioner is preparing to do battle with planning chiefs again over unpaid business rates. Nellie Copson, who lives above her shop in High Street, applied to Wychavon District Council's planning committee to change the use of her

  • Busy High Street is a delight

    AN established trader is delighted at the number of independent businesses which are now in Droitwich High Street. Colin Smith, of Hereford House, said it has been many years since so many shops have been open. Only two outlets are not in use. The butcher

  • Retail crime cut by half

    A CRACKDOWN on shoplifters in Droitwich Spa has proved to be a success thanks to a radio link between police and traders. The town's retail crime initiative has cut the number of offences from 143 in 1997/98 to 69 in 1999/2000. Officers have been working

  • Arrested one day after jail release

    A MAN was arrested on Saturday in a Droitwich supermarket for being drunk and disorderly - just one day after being released from jail. On Monday, Worcester magistrates heard Brian Harper, aged 60, of Bromyard Road, Worcester, had been causing distress

  • Malvern march on at Kington

    MALVERN Town returned from Kington last night having recorded a fine 2-1 win in the Banks's Brewery Premier League. However, they had to come from behind after the home side went ahead in the 30th minute with a free-kick. Malvern hit back in almost identical

  • Bromyard shot down

    TITLE-chasing Ludlow Town shot down Bromyard Town 3-0 last night in the Banks's Brewery Premier Division. Visitors Ludlow never gave Bromyard a moment to settle on the ball from the off and showed just why they are one of the sides to beat in the Premier

  • Mixing it up for a colourful cocktail

    STRATFORD'S The Other Place will be converted into a cocktail bar for a play in which the audience is set to become part of the action. Shakers, by John Godber and Jane Thornton, offers a glimpse into the working day of four long-suffering waitresses

  • Good neighbours

    A COMMUNITY store in Bromsgrove has beaten off stiff competition to become a finalist in a top shop contest. Alldays, in Gilbert Road, won the regional finals in the Robert Wiseman Dairies Neighbourhood Shop of the Year competition. The store will now

  • Shop's poppy award

    A BROMSGROVE store has been presented with a certificate for long running support of the annual Poppy Appeal. For more than 20 years, Veale's Store, now known as Londis, in Rock Hill, has supported The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. Mary Joy, who

  • Runner White bags bronze

    REDDITCH student Richard White doubled his Paralympic tally with bronze in the 100m. The NEW College student who finished on the podium in his weaker 200m made it two bronzes over the shorter distance in Sydney. The 18-year-old sprinter, who has a learning

  • Swift start for new boy

    REDDITCH Regents are set to hand towering forward Andy Swift his West Midlands One debut at Barton Colts on Sunday (tip-off 8.15pm). The 6ft 5ins forward is set to combine playing for Worcester League side Bromsgrove BC and Birmingham Bullets under 20s

  • 1/11/00 - Sixways blow as Va'a is ruled out

    WORCESTER Rugby Club will have to do without Samoan fly- half Earl Va'a at Saracens if they come through their Tetley Bitter Cup fourth round clash at Tynedale on Saturday. The Sixways team, due to play at Vicarage Road in the fifth round on November

  • 1/11/00 - City in Trophy hunt

    WORCESTER City are hoping to use success in the FA Umbro Trophy to act as a launchpad for improving their league standing. City kick-off this season's Trophy quest against Mangotsfield United in the first round at St George's Lane on Saturday, with memories

  • Ferry pair survive storm nightmare

    A RUBERY dad and his son say they are lucky to be alive after spending nearly 22 hours at sea when their ferry got caught in the weekend's freak weather. Trevor Neason, aged 41, of Leach Heath Lane, was returning from taking his eleven-year-old son Adam

  • Mercy mission

    A CHARITY-MINDED Bromsgrove business is appealing for a lorry to take much-needed supplies overseas. Bosses at Crown Eye Care Centre, in Crown Close, which has recently changed its name from Hampton's The Opticians, has a driver ready to take the vehicle

  • No one was able to help this man

    A 79-year-old man from Kidderminster was forced to suffer pain because of the lack of facilities. Neither the local hospital nor the "wonderful Worcester hospital" which is supposed to be able to take in all patients at a moment's notice, were able to

  • Take a leaf out of the Yanks' book

    I WOULD like to congratulate your correspondent, P Hughes, on his letter condemning the frequent letters by another correspondent, George Cowley. His letter has given me yet more evidence to demonstrate to my American friends and colleagues the miserable

  • Serving big business and not the people

    IN all the acres of print following the BSE Phillips report whitewash (no one is to blame, they were well-intentioned and so on), no one seems to have grasped the real scandal. It is that governments, including the present New Labour one, come to office

  • Billington and Dingley scoop gold medals

    BROMSGROVE Olympique Cycling Club had several medal winners at the Wolverhampton Wheelers Prize Presentation for young riders last Friday. The event was held for riders who competed in the West Park Circuit Race Series and Track Leagues throughout the

  • Bannister: I'm in no hurry for new boss

    PAT Bannister has revealed he is in no rush to appoint a new manager following George Rooney's exit last Thursday. The Rovers chief executive advertised the job in the wake of Rooney's departure and has already received a number of applicants. Included

  • Coach scoops national award

    SHE'S the squash coach of the year -- and that's official! Barnt Green Sports Club's Lindsay Parker is the woman in question after she was named Squash Rackets Association Coach of the Year at the association's awards ceremony at the NIA, in Birmingham

  • Junior rugby scores and scorers

    WOLVERHAMPTON U10s 15 Droitwich Spa-rklers U10s 40. Droitwich got off to a flying start when David Edwards powered over early on. Captain Chris Reece scored the second with Richard Hardisty, Bobbie Scott-Walker, Sean Storey, Jack O'hara and Nick Houlston

  • Safety first

    Your Page 3 headline 'Skatepark plans still rolling on' is surely a little wide of the mark, since rolling on seems to be exactly what is not happening. Moving the skateboard arena to King George's playing fields "for safety reasons" seems to have resulted

  • Church slip to draw

    ALVECHURCH midfielder Christian Townsend limped off as the Church stumbled to a disappointing 2-2 draw with Alveston on Tuesday. Townsend suffered the recurrence of a long-term injury to his big toe and must be doubtful for the visit of Northfield Town

  • Six-a-side success

    ST Bede's six-a-side team triumphed in the Adidas Predator six-a-side Redditch Championships. The side took the title after a nail-biting penalty shoot-out against Lodge Farm to qualify for the Worcestershire County section as Redditch Champions. St Bede's

  • Church cup win

    ALVECHURCH knocked Handrahan Timbers out of the Endsleigh Challenge Cup on Saturday despite having to field a makeshift back line. Central defenders Matt Davis (holiday) and Matt Pugh were unavailable and Nolan Talbot was ruled out aftr a back operation

  • Studley stunned

    Old Hill Town 1 Studley BKL 0 HEAVY rain and blustery wind made conditions difficult, but Old Hill adapted as BKL slipped to defeat. Town started brightly, forcing Bees' keeper Beasley to make fine saves from Priest and Evans before they took advantage

  • Dun-can kick start stuttering Studley

    STUDLEY boss Mark Chambers has refused to panic buy after a shock defeat to Midland Comb One outfit Old Hill Town. The Bees, who surrendered their unbeaten league record last week, went down 1-0 in atrocious conditions. Chambers considered drafting in

  • Ladies on form

    HEADLESS Cross Ladies extended a three match winning streak with a 2-1 County Cup win at Premier outfit Tipton. Cross took control with goals from Claire Maxwell and Tina Waugh. Tipton pulled one back in the second half but Cross held firm for a quarter

  • Sports centre reopening

    A FAMILY fun day has been organised to mark the reopening of Bromsgrove's Dolphin Centre. The event includes two sessions running from 10.30am to 12noon and 2pm until 3.30pm on Saturday November 11. The fun takes place in the School Drive venue's pool

  • Rover dismisses talk of foreign buyer

    RUMOURS that MG Rover might again be bought by a foreign car company have been dismissed by the firm. Reports in a Sunday newspaper quoted a motor industry expert saying the Longbridge car company might be bought by Volkswagen, Fiat or Peugeot. Angela

  • Bonfire Night animal warning

    ANIMAL-LOVERS in Bromsgrove are being urged to keep their pets indoors around Bonfire Night. The manager at the Blue Cross Animal Adoption Centre, in Catshill, Neil Edwards, said it was a distressing time for animals. He has also warned people to be on

  • Teenager attacked

    A TEENAGER was attacked by a gang of youths outside a Bromsgrove fast food restaurant on Saturday night. The incident happened outside McDonald's, in High Street, following a shouting match between the youngsters. Police are appealing for the victim to

  • Get tough on violence

    VIOLENCE and the people who commit it will be targeted it in a police war against a growing scourge on South Warwickshire streets. Operation Impact on Violence was launched on Tuesday after officers agreed it was time to challenge Warwickshire's statistical

  • Arrow WI

    IN THE absence of the president, vice-president Sylvia Palmer conducted the October meeting. Every member was issued with a piece of paper on which to indicate whether or not she was prepared to be a member of next year's committee. Money was taken for

  • Cookhill WI

    THE October meeting was attended by 45 members and visitors. Iris Montgomorie, VCO, gave a short introductory talk before the main speaker, Richard Wescott, took centre stage. After introducing himself as a long-term pantomime dame, speaking of the well-known

  • Soroptimist International

    A DOG is a man's best friend. No more so than when he can pick up the telephone, retrieve fallen items, open and close doors and even support his disabled owner. Robert Burns, from Walsall, a volunteer worker and lecturer for Dogs for the Disabled, told

  • Bromsgrove Rovers 4 Stourport Swifts 3

    Tuesday, October 31, 2000 MARK Benbow was the penalty hero for Bromsgrove Rovers in a Worcestershire Royal Infirmary Cup final second leg of high drama at the Victoria Ground last night. The attacking midfielder's 113th minute spot kick - which he stepped

  • November 3, 1900

    BROMSGROVE Urban District Council called a public meeting of ratepayers at the Drill Hall to consider the authority's plan to buy Llewellin's site to base the New Market and to consider the alternatives. A good turnout was expected. THE Local Government

  • Motor exhibition rolls into Birmingham NEC

    THE UK's largest classic motor show celebrates its 18th birthday at the NEC this week. The last International Classic Motor Show attracted more than 30,000 visitors and 450 exhibitors and this year's show is set to draw record numbers when it takes place

  • What's on

    Thursday, November 2 Joe Brown: A Showbusiness Lifetime, Palace theatre. Tickets from 65203. Disney on Ice Jungle Adventures, Birmingham NIA. Until November 12. Tickets from 0121 780 4444. Ruby Turner, Ronnie Scott's. Until November 4. Tickets from 0121

  • Enterprise Centre is a boon to new companies

    BUSINESS-builders can now benefit from Worcester's new Enterprise Centre launched to help them set up new companies. The complex of small workspace units has been opened in the old Victorian factory on Shrub Hill's Industrial Estate to offer new business

  • Farmers send out new SOS

    RENEWED calls for Government action have been made after a survey revealed farmers have been forced to endure a 90 per cent drop in wages. The Country Landowners' Association wants Ministers to launch a three-pronged rescue package for the industry stricken

  • STORM CHAOS

    THE severe weather pushed Redditch Council's emergency services to the limit as workers struggled to deal with a record number of calls. Strong winds ripped scores of trees out by the roots and heavy rain flooded many roads, making them impassable. Many