Father-of-two Ian Morris, aged 59, is a chartered surveyor based in Malvern and has set up his own practice. He was educated at the same school as former Prime Minister John Major and used to be a Conservative. Agriculture and tourism in Worcestershire
Sir Michael Spicer has been a Worcestershire MP since 1974. He and his wife Ann have three children. Sir Michael has been deputy chairman of the Conservative party, as well as holding several ministerial posts. The rural economy here in Worcestershire
The constituency's rural economy has suffered from foot-and-mouth. How would you as an MP help to regenerate the tourist as well as farming sectors? Most DERA staff will transfer to the public-private partnership QinetiQ in July. What will you do to ensure
A ROW has blown up after hospital bosses in Worcester criticised a picture in a Conservative election leaflet. The party has sent out a pamphlet promoting its "Common Sense" pledges about protecting the health service. The literature featured a photograph
STUNNED friends have paid tribute to a "great" man who was killed in an accident as he tried to save his dog from a railway line. Dave Boycott died on Sunday as he tried to rescue his pet German Shepherd, Shanty, from the path of a train in Malvern. The
A CHARFORD playgroup which provides low-cost nursery education has been forced to close because of red tape in the system that was supposed to fund it. The privately-run Sugarbrook Pre-School Group has worked in the community for six years but in recent
VILLAGES in Worcestershire are being urged to apply for grants of up to £10,000 to turn their parish halls into centres for services for the community. Healthy living centres, post offices and surgeries are some of the projects that have received cash
YOUNGSTERS making the transition from school to college, training or employment will be able to obtain top advice from experts at a county centre. More than 50 16-year-olds will be offered careers advice from youth workers as part of the Worcestershire
PAST traditions were brought to life in Pershore when a Canadian Morris Men troop performed in the town. The Vancouver Morris Men stopped off yesterday as part of a 10-day British tour and performed various dances outside the Brandy Cask pub. Pershore
BRIGHT sparks at a Worcester school are slashing thousands of pounds off their electricity bills thanks to innovative lights. Bishop Perowne CE High School installed special movement sensitive light bulbs last summer. Since then, the Merriman's Hill Road
MORE than 60 parents from as far afield as Scotland and Essex have descended on Worcester to have their children immunised. Single vaccination jabs for measles, mumps and rubella were made available in the city at the weekend after a private health company
THE steam was rising and temperatures soared as more than 5,000 people descended on Eastnor Castle for its Steam Fair and Country Show. Around 5,800 people visited the stately home near Ledbury for its annual steam event over the Bank Holiday. "It's the
A PEACOCK and a peahen on the run in the district are being sought by police after fears they could cause a road accident. Police are appealing for help in identifying the owners of the birds. The birds were first sighted in Brown Westhead Park, Cookley
BROMSGROVE under- 15s fell easy victims to Kidderminster under-15s in the first round of the Sun Life of Canada knockout competition, losing by 57 runs. The visitors batted first, scoring 107 runs for four wickets off their allotted 20 overs, Cadwallader
THE Bromsgrove and Redditch Athletics Club women's team easily won their section of the Midland Veterans Track League South Division on May 10. The ladies, who contested every event, scored 237 points at the Abbey Stadium, Redditch, with Halesowen second
STOKE Prior Bowling Club were at home to Birchley Social in Warwickshire and Worcestershire Premier Division Seven. After an early lead for the away side, Stoke took control with some committed displays. Gerry Gaffeney got the show on the road with a
THE Rubery half marathon is back again this year to celebrate The Bournville Village Trust Centenary. The run starts at 10am at Rubery Leisure Centre, Holywell Lane, on Sunday July 8. Slow, fast and first-time runners are all welcome to take on the challenging
FORGET Liverpool Football Club's trophy success this season -- meet the winners of the Bridlington Grand Pairs Cribbage Finals, Millfields Social Club. The six-strong team beat Hereford outfit the Three Horseshoes 6-3 to win the shield, entered by 48
SPECULATION over the future of a Spa factory is over following an announcement it will close "lock, stock and barrel" on July 23. Workers at the beleaguered Christian Salv-esen depot are now scrambling to get new jobs. Salvesen bosses have agreed that
A LONG-serving member of Redditch Golf Club who celebrated his 100th birthday was presented with an engraved cut glass bowl to mark the occasion. Ivor North Lewis, a talented all-round sportsman, played golf well into his 80s and in his younger days had
THE second round of Redditch Borough Council's consultation with townsfolk on the future style of leadership has started. The Council will be making leaflets 'Which Route Should We Take?' available to residents, businesses, staff and community groups
THE final details of a major £2 million project aimed at improving the quality of life for townsfolk have been drawn up as part of a National Lottery bid, writes Becky Procter. Redditch Council has been working on an £850,000 bid to the New Opportunities
WEST Midlands Arts' Year of the Artist officially draws to a close this month following a highly successful dance and fitness project carried out in Redditch earlier this year. In partnership with Redditch Council's Sports Development Unit, two Birmingham
ANYONE who likes to go out for a drink and a dance in the lively clubs and bars of Worcester will today find themselves in agreement with Mike Stevens, chairman of the local Licensed Victuallers Association. Door stewards - better known to the man in
THE daffodils around Redditch were lovely except for some areas of weak and sickly blooms, such as those on the verge of Ipsley Church Lane. Again, within a week of the flowers going over, they had their leaves mown off. People who operate mowers should
DUE to the extensive redevelopment works now taking place, the Kingfisher Centre would like to offer all customers the opportunity to have their personal questions on the exciting changes answered by the Kingfisher team. Anyone who would like to submit
I WRITE in response to Tory Councillor Gavin Smithers' letter (Advertiser, May 2) concerning the campaign leaflet from Independent county council candidate Scott Preston. As the then Independent candidate contesting the Lodge Park seat, I can confirm
ONE of Bromsgrove's best loved legal characters has retired from law. Clients and colleagues said a sad farewell to Bob Moule, a partner at Morton Fisher Solicitors' Bromsgrove office, in St John Street. The 57-year-old steps down after a career spanning
A TROUBLED animal sanctuary which was £20,000 in the red after being forced to close to the public because of the foot and mouth crisis has received more than £3,000 in donations after an appeal in the Redditch Advertiser. Donations to Farm Animal Sanctuary
THE Redditch Dial-A-Ride service is looking to recruit more volunteer drivers to meet increasing demand. The service, which helps elderly and disabled people around town, has just six drivers and three who are volunteers. Dial-a-ride want drivers with
SAM the orphaned cat has found a new home thanks to the Redditch Advertiser. An elderly woman in the Redditch area responded to the call after it was reported Sam's owner had died in a tragic accident. The 12-year-old moggy has had to wait more than three
GUYS and gals from across The Pond have been making a big impact in Studley by helping to clean up the Millennium Green. Nine Americans, from Christian campus houses at East Tennessee and Appalachian state universities, then served free food and organised
A new pub and restaurant will be opening in the town centre on Friday following a £1 million transformation. Up to 25 full and part-time staff have been taken on to help run The Litten Tree, formerly The Works, in Market Place. The venue forms one of
STUDLEY childcare provider Sneakers offered advice at the Kingfisher Centre on Thursday as part of a day of activities to mark National Childcare Week. Sneakers, a nursery for the under-5s, also promoted three new Sneakers Kids Clubs which are to open
A CAMPAIGN to raise vital funds for the Primrose Hospice will involve people looking mellow in yellow, writes Melina Cannon. Wear Yellow Week begins on Monday, June 18, and throughout the week pupils at town schools will pay a donation to swap their uniforms
ORGANISERS hope to see the usual collection of fancy dressers, dog trotters and buggy pushers at Inkberrow's 16th annual fun run on Sunday. The six-mile run around Inkberrow's lanes, which begins at 10.15am, also attracts regular club runners who aim
Bromsgrove Advertiser/Messenger District Football League AFTER a rain-delayed season, the league finally has champions for each division. Alvechurch Darts took the Division One honours -- a superb feat after promotion from Division Two last season. Bromsgrove
CONGRATULATIONS to Doug McLeod's Bromsgrove Town after they clinched the second division title and promotion to Division One with a 2-0 win over Crabmill. It was Town's second successive championship after winning Division Three last season. Town had
Wychbold RBL (2) 4 Droitwich Spa (0) 1 Redditch & South Warks Combination Division One RBL finished their league programme with a convincing win over neighbours Droitwich. It was sweet revenge for the village team after Spa inflicted a surprise defeat
DROITWICH sports fans are invited to attend a meeting to discuss the creation of under 14 and under 16 year olds girls' football teams . In partnership with Droitwich High School, Worcestershire Football Association development officers, Andy Norman and
KIND pre-school children from villages near Droitwich Spa are taking care of two cute creatures. Hadzor and Oddingley Pre-School Group has adopted a baby bunny called Flick and tiny guinea pig named Frazzle. The pets were donated to the group, which meets
COUNTY-WIDE agricultural workers have welcomed the return of farmers' markets in Droitwich Spa. A variety of rural produce will be on sale in the High Street this Saturday. The foot and mouth crisis had halted the popular events. But Worcestershire Farmers
A DRIVER was trapped in his car for 90 minutes after a road smash in Hanbury last Thursday, May 24. Police were forced to close School Road for four hours while firefighters battled to rescue Marlon Rouse from his white Vauxhall Movana. It had been involved
A BUDGET of £70,000 could be allocated for improvements at a troubled housing complex. Spa Housing Association representatives met with Charland Cry campaigners last Wednesday to discuss safety issues at Charland Court, off Shepherds Way. The association
RESIDENTS are invited to try a "safe and gentle approach to good health" in Droitwich Spa. To mark Homoeopathy Awareness Week, beginning on Thursday June 14, Denise Winks is offering free ten-minute consultations. Homoeopathy is complete system of medicine
HELP is at hand for disabled voters in Droitwich Spa. New regulations will mean people who are blind, partially sighted or disabled should find it easier to vote in the General Election and Worcestershire County Council election on June 7. Wychavon District
NORTH Midlands narrowly failed to win the Tetley's U20 County Championship for the first time as they were edged out 20-17 by Surrey in the final at Twickenham. North Midlands led for two-thirds of the game but a late try decided the game. Stephen Nutt
FIVE super-fit women from Worcestershire One on One- SIS clubs have beaten off the challenge of hundreds of women from all over the country to seal their place as Britain's fittest team. Michelle Parsons (35), Jane Fisher (33), Alex Robinson (33), Jacqui
REPRESENTATIVES of racehorse owners and trainers have expressed serious reservations over the Go Racing media rights contract. The contract which, subject to the granting of a British Horseracing Board pre-race data licence to the Racecourse Association
MARK Johnston has never been afraid to rack up the miles in order to win races and Double Honour can reward the long trip south to Goodwood by landing the Honeywell Stakes tomorrow. The Middleham trainer likes sending out winners at the Sussex track and
AN afternoon of culture will be on the bill at the Quality Hotel this summer if an application to stage an open-air production of Shakespeare's Two Gentlemen of Verona air gets the go-ahead. The 35-year-old theatre company MDCC hopes to stage the production
GREAT Alne's poor start to the season continued with a defeat against Chipping Camden. After last week's loss on a poor wicket at Henley, there were no excuses and captain Craig Millard pointed the finger at his underachieving batsmen. "Our bowling and
ASTWOOD Bank won the toss and put Cookley into bat on a good pitch. Bowes picked up a key wicket, their overseas player but Cookley made steady progress with Bank finding it hard to concentrate. J Summers was the pick of the bowlers, taking five wickets
Walsh header hands title back to Sunday GARRINGTONS Sunday FC have won the Premier Division title for the first time since 1995 after a superb victory over their nearest rivals, Black Horse. If Black Horse had won, Garringtons would have had to beaten
MOST workers in Bromsgrove are female, a new survey by a leading union has revealed. Almost 55 per cent of the town's workforce are women according to a report by the General Municipal Boilermakers' (GMB) union. Almost 52 per cent of workers in Worcester
A BAND of hi-flying young folk from Bromsgrove are hosting a personal development event. Bromsgrove Junior Chamber has invited Senat Shelat to discuss improving your life and career. The meeting at the Hilton Hotel, in Birmingham Road, on Tuesday June
CALLOW Hill rider Jason Wilshaw closed the gap on his championship rival at the weekend after Mark Pinkey's engine blew at Anglesey. Wilshaw came in second in the second points race at Ty Croes to narrow the gap to three points in the Classics Club Post
TEENAGE speedster Stefan Hodgetts is looking for a move into Formula Renault after failing to find a drive in the Formula Ford Zetec Championship. The Headless Cross teenager was left high and dry by his Sweeney Hopper Racing team after starting the series
ALCESTER'S Northfield League team continued their good run with a comprehensive home win over Warstock by a massive 75 shots. With seven out of eight winners, John Alderson led the way with 21-5, Ken Harvey and Renny Bannister both 21-6, Terry Rawlings
SUNDAY sees Redditch Arrows open their 2001 season home schedule with a return fixture against Gateshead Senators (ko 2.30pm). Division 1 newcomers Arrows will be looking for revenge after a narrow defeat in the season opener three weeks ago in Gateshead
FIVE Bromsgrove & Redditch Athletics Club members travelled to Burton-on-Trent for the Drakelow 10 mile on Sunday with Sharon Hetherington declaring she was only there for a training run. Phil Anderson (V40) took the race out but on a hard, hot course
CATERHAMS racer Gordon Matthew is out to climb the championship table on a double-header weekend at Donington. The Sambourne driver sits 16th after a disappointing start but has the chance to gain ground on his rivals with a good weekend in the East Midlands
AN artistic Redditch School has scooped seven awards, including best overall entry, for the St George's Day 'paint the dragon' competition. Dingleside Middle School, Woodrow, received the first and second prizes from Redditch Borough Council after St
CARE for patients in Bromsgrove who are dying of cancer is being passed over for resources because national guidelines do not recognise it as a priority, a top doctor has revealed. Long-awaited plans to provide beds to care for dying patients in Bromsgrove
POLICE moved this week to allay fears that children in Bromsgrove may be sold drug-laced paper images of cartoon characters. It followed a memo sent to parents of youngsters at Meadows First School, in Stourbridge Road, by headteacher Peter Williman.
HANBURY band The Reflections are on the look out for a talented keyboard player and vocalist to join them. Rich, their current keyboard player is leaving in August so if you fit the bill call Andy Ford on (01905) 391410. You can catch the band on Saturday
WHAT a sad tale from V Crane (You Say, May 19) of the consultant in Pakistan who said of his fellow-countryman "turn him away, he is only a sweeper". Thank God this could never happen in Great Britain - or could it? GEORGE COWLEY Worcester
WHAT has Mike Foster done as Worcester's First MP Labour? Hang on, I am still trying to think what has he done, wait for it, I am still thinking... hang on I know, oops sorry that was somebody else. I've got it - four years trying to ban fox hunting and
DOES L Spiteri (You Say, May 21) purposely misinterpret letters to afford himself an escape route? His attempt to gain support by pretending that I have blamed nurses for strikes is so transparent. Nurses have always kept their dignity in such matters
THE hedgehog's name gives a good indication where it is often found. Now the grass is shooting up, and gardeners reach for their strimmers to cut it back, we're already seeing hedgehogs with slashed faces and bodies and sometimes severed legs. Please
I WONDER if D E Margrett ever watches Parliament at Question Time on a Wednesday? If he did, he would realise that it would be impossible for the Lords to go to sleep. The noise from our elected rabble in the next chamber would certainly keep them awake
IN reply to E F Showell (You Say, May 19) there is nothing wrong whatever with Advantage West Midlands. I am aware, of course, that, in due course, there will have to be an elected regional government for the West Midlands area. Incidentally, there were
I QUOTE from Paul H Griffiths' recent letter "N Taylor's wildly inaccurate claim that we are about to be governed by a West Midlands Regional Assembly which we haven't voted for, amply demonstrates the need for informed rational debate on the subject
A CHEEKY thief took more than 50 plant pots and ornaments from homes in Crabbs Cross before decorating a roundabout with the loot. Police and residents were left angry and baffled by the string of thefts in the early hours of Saturday. More than one hour
POLICE are determined to catch arsonists who caused what could have been a serious fire at a Kingfisher Centre department store at the weekend. Redditch fire crews were called to the rear of Allders, near Access 4, at about 1.10pm on Sunday to find a
A Church Hill man was fined £375 and disqualified from driving for 12 months by Redditch magistrates for being more than twice over the legal drink-drive limit. William Power, 54, of Edgeworth Close, had 71 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of
THREE cars were broken into in the Hollywood and Wythall area overnight on Monday. A CD player and cash were stolen from a Vauxhall Astra, a briefcase and phone went from a Vauxhall Corsa in Forest Way, and a VW Golf was broken into.
A STEREO system and speakers worth about £120 were stolen from the waiting room at Redditch Citizens Advice Bureau last Monday. The system, which had been used for about a year to play music to waiting clients, was stolen between 1.30-3pm. Julia Docherty
TOWN centre retailers are being warned following a potential distraction theft involving two women a store on Thursday, writes Melina Cannon. A woman entered Heaven, on Unicorn Hill, with a little boy aged about two in a pushchair, shortly followed by
I CANNOT believe Droitwich Spa Town Council is not issuing our pensioners with a free town bus pass. As an ex-chairman of the finance committee, I am aware of the difficult decisions that have to be made, but I'm sure if pensioners had been asked, they
WITH the help of Droitwich Spa town councillor John Cook a deal was reached last year to provide free bus passes for pensioners and invalids. We can only assume the deal this year required additional money which the Tory controlled council could not or
LICKEY End has been blighted by the Highways Partner-ship in Bromsgrove's over the top and expensive "humps and ramps" traffic calming measures which are not working. The last straw has been to paint a large section of the road a hideous red. I suggest
WILL someone please give me an explanation as to why signs have been put up in Vines Park, Droitwich Spa, telling everyone that no fishing is allowed on the towpath and canal basin? I am not an angler. I am just a pensioner who enjoys walking his dogs
June 1, 1901 Benjamin Jones, labourer, Hopwood, charged with assaulting police constables Bevan and Symons while in the execution of their duty at Hopwood. Pc Bevan stated that when he took the prisoner into custody he asked him to go along quietly but
June 2, 1951 To the world at large Redditch and needles are as inseparable as Stratford and Shakespeare. Perhaps our school books are responsible for this popular misconception of Redditch as a one-trade town and if so, the compilers should have been
This week's Memory Lane picture is another town mystery sent in by Alan Foxall, of Redditch Pictorial History Society. The photograph depicts a herd of elephants from what is believed to be the Bertrand Mills Circus walking to the top of Beoley Road from
by CHRIS VAUGHAN chrisv@newsquestmidlands.co.uk "IT was excellent -- we had more crowds around us than the canvassers from the Labour party, the Conservatives, the Liberals and the UK Independence party." That's the message from delighted Bromsgrove Rovers
A PLAQUE was unveiled at a Pershore pub on Tuesday to men who died in a plane crash more than half a century ago. The plaque, which is on display on the wall outside The Brandy Cask, was to commemorate the lives of five airmen who were killed when a fly-past
A PLAN to introduce a black bag refuse collection service throughout the district is being considered - the Advertiser/Messenger can reveal. Bromsgrove District C ouncil is carrying out trials on plastic bags to determine their strength and costs involved
FARMERS suffering depression or anxiety because of the foot and mouth crisis are being offered free help thanks to a Lickey-based psychologist. Consultant psychologist Dr Giles Bellamy has offered his skills free of charge to farmers in the Bromsgrove
BARNT Green Cricket Club's firsts experienced a mixed Bank Holiday weekend with a loss away to West Bromwich Dartmouth and a winning draw against Kidderminster in the Birmingham and District Premier League Premier Division. On a good looking pitch against
EMPLOYEES at a Bromsgrove insurance company are becoming increasingly concerned their branch is becoming a breeding ground for expectant mums. Five new babies are on the way and all of them are linked to Hill House Hammond (HHH), in High Street. Expectant
DROITWICH Spa First XI achieved a comfortable victory in Sunday's friendly at Bridgnorth. In a 40-over game, Droitwich lost opener Stuart Bryan to the very first ball of the game. However, a brisk partnership developed bet-ween Paul Bryan and Ian Duggan
AVONCROFT First XI remain without a win following their narrow three wicket defeat away to Old Halesonians in Worcestershire County League Division Four. Croft scored a creditable 132 all out on what was an unusually bouncy wicket, while the slow outfield
THE general election candidates for Bromsgrove are set to be quizzed on the policies that matter to the public at a debate tomorrow. All four candidates have agreed to attend the debate at the Methodist Centre, in Stratford Road, to talk about their policies
TWENTY-SIX members and friends enjoyed lunch at the Globe Hotel, Alcester, on May 6. The branch is holding several more social events in the coming weeks, including a skittles night at the Mother Huff Cap on Friday, June 22. A trip to Chatsworth House
AT the AGM on April 9, Peter Wiltshire was elected chairman. During the meeting, many suggestions were put forward to develop the guild and the committee has used these ideas to draw up a varied programme of meetings and events for the new guild year.
A MOTIVATED Bromsgrove worker is getting behind the wheel to ferry much-needed goods to orphans in Romania where he will also carry out vital work. Mick Taylor, who is based at Severn Trent Water's Sugarbrook depot, in Buntsford Hill, is one of a group
At our May meeting, we were pleased to welcome Margaret Packer. Margaret began her demonstration to the sound of driving rain and a thunderstorm! Fortunately, the weather brightened as the afternoon progressed, and we all enjoyed her wonderful demonstration
DISGRUNTLED residents have shunned a "fair" offer by Bromsgrove District Council to cut service charges set to be imposed because they claim dealings went on "behind closed doors" At a press conference called by the authority last Wednesday council leader
THE speaker at the Bromsgrove and Redditch Club May meeting was Mrs Jean Watson, senior co-ordinator of voluntary organisation Home-start, which is based in Redditch. Home-start is an organisation in which volunteers offer regular support, friendship
THERE was a good audience on May 16 for demonstrator Mrs Vera Devey. Vera, who is also treasurer at the club, give a splendid series of exhibits. She is City & Guilds qualified and her title for the afternoon was 'Home Grown'. She showed how even
AROUND 85 per cent of sheltered housing tenants will not be paying the full amount of service charges which means the bills will be spread among taxpayers. Fifty five per cent of residents are in receipt of full housing benefits, 30 per cent receive partial
IN the beginning it was simply a vision. Twenty years on, Bromsgrove Anglican Group is thriving, fostering greater fellowship between churchgoers, closer relationships with churches and opportunities to enjoy a range of social events. The initial meeting
BROMSGROVE police's clampdown on burglars resulted in the arrest of eight people believed to have taken part in "distasteful crimes". As part of Operation Hawkeye -- which targeted house burglars -- officers from the town and Redditch worked together
Thursday, May 31 Pianist Margaret Lion, Lunchtime Concert, Ensemble Room, Warwick Arts Centre, 1.10pm. Free admission. Friday, June 1 City of Birmingham, Symphony Orchestra: A Celebration of Rodgers and Hammerstein, Symphony Hall, Birmingham. Tickets
A WORCESTERSHIRE Cider company is among the best in the world. Knights Cider Ltd, based at Crumpton Oaks Farm, Storridge, near Malvern, scooped no fewer than five awards at the International Cider and Perry Festival 2001. Held at the Cider Museum, Hereford
Mike Hadley is a businessman whose Malvern-based firm specialises in computer software for pharmacists. He is married to Dr Jocelyn Briggs, a hospital consultant, and they have three children. Even without the nightmare of foot-and-mouth disease, our
Waqar Azmi, aged 31, lives in Worcestershire with his wife Haseena, an NHS clinical psychologist. The chief executive of Worcestershire Racial Equality Council, Mr Azmi was previously an ethnic studies lecturer in Lancashire and Southampton. I am a Labour
A WORCESTER man who is still waiting for treatment after he was diagnosed with cancer eight months ago says he feels the health service has "abandoned" him. Plumber Anthony Tooth will not receive vital radiography for prostate cancer until July - nine
PUBS and clubs in Worcester have been urged to beef up their bouncers' qualifications by sending them on a training scheme. The city's Licensed Victuallers Association (LVA) is organising the one-day course for next month. It will teach skills such as
WORCESTER'S new hospital could play a key role in an emerging "technology corridor", according to the county council. The building is scheduled to open in March next year. "The aim is that it should be a teaching hospital," said the council's portfolio
PEOPLE in south Worcestershire are urged to be on the lookout for a teenage girl from Worcester who has been missing for three weeks. Sixteen-year-old Emma Collier disappeared on Wednesday, May 9, but Worcester police believe she is now staying in Evesham
MARTLEY residents have been given a bird's-eye view of their village to celebrate the millennium. Five Martley Women's Institute members have spent the past two years researching, sketching and painting an aerial map of the area after being inspired by
CONCERNS over community safety and other housing-related issues will be addressed at a residents' meeting in Worcester next week. The meeting at Warndon Community Centre is expected to involve a question and answer forum, and is being billed as an opportunity
THE town's traders' group is back in business with bags of new ideas. A questionnaire sent to Droitwich Spa Association for Retail, Tourism and Services (DARTS) members proved there is demand for the organisation. The departure of the group's chairman
FANCY owning a pair of Barbara Windsor's shoes, or being coached by Worcester City FC? If the price is right then Peggy Butcher's famous shoes from the set of the BBC TV soap EastEnders - up for grabs along with a host of other pledges - could be yours
A CONMAN posing as a deaf and dumb household goods salesman stole cash from a pensioner who had agreed to buy some items from him. The woman, who lives in Cookley, went to fetch her purse after answering the door to the man last Thursday at 2.20pm. But
THIS year's Worces-tershire Youth Games have been hailed as one of the most successful of its kind in the West Midlands. Regional director of Sport England, John Roberts, has congratulated staff at Wychavon District Council on their management of the
BROMSGROVE Second XI entered the busy Bank holiday schedule on the crest of a winning wave, looking forward to a top of the table clash with Ombersley. Bromsgrove elected to insert the opposition on a dry but crumbling home wicket. 'Grove made a steady
Oxford Cavaliers (32) 64 Worcester Saints (4) 8 TotalRL.com Rugby League Conference BASIC errors from the Saints' defence in the opening four minutes allowed the Cavaliers to take total control of this game. Straight from the kick off Worcester allowed
TOWN politicians are stepping up the pressure on bus company bosses to get cheaper travel for pensioners. Droitwich Spa Town Council was unable to renew free town travel passes for OAPs and disabled folk with First Midland Red. Instead, public transport
CALLS have been made for a reduced speed limit through Mappleborough Green after yet another fatal crash, writes Helen Clarke. A man was killed in a two-vehicle head-on collision on the A435 in Mappleborough Green, outside The Boot pub, just days after
THE owner of a Lakeside skip hire firm has been fined £400 plus £990 costs by Redditch magistrates for breaching a condition notice by storing scrap metal, old furniture and other waste on site. Paul Williams, of Williams Skip Hire, Brook Street, admitted
STUDLEY will finally get a new village hall following the announcement of a successful £400,000 bid for National Lottery money. News of the windfall reached the village hall management committee late on Friday and members were overjoyed their hard work
TWO schoolchildren escaped serious injury when the climbing frame they normally play on was crushed by a tree felled in a neighbouring wood. Their father, Rodney Grubb, of Foxholes Lane, Callow Hill, was furious after the tree which was being felled by
YOUTHS who are gathering on the car park of a Redditch fast food giant late at night are to be targeted by police. A partnership has been forged between police and McDonald's in Oakenshaw to combat the problem, which has prompted scores of complaints
SUNNY weather has prompted the start of a £140,000 programme to remove 148 old or dangerous play areas across the town. The first phase of the schedule began this week starting in Winyates, Matchborough, Webheath and other old parts of Redditch. It will
I DO not normally write letters to newspapers but I felt I had to on this occasion to let other parents of three-year-old children starting school in September know what they are missing out on because they live in Redditch. My son attends a playgroup
TWO worrying things take place on my road. a) drivers seem to believe it's a dual carriageway trunk road and drive accordingly. b) cyclists, mainly youngsters, think it's a cycle path and use the left or right lane - they don't care. So how long before
A PLUCKY Redditch pensioner is to live out a lifetime dream of abseiling despite being almost 80 and having a calliper fitted to her leg, writes Becky Procter. Alex Bagnall, who was once told she would never walk again, will be scaling down the wall of
REDDITCH Nightstop's latest fund-raising mission may turn out to be the town's biggest ever tea party. The charity, which helps find emergency accommodation for homeless youngsters aged between 16 and 25, is looking for people to act as hosts at an afternoon
THE REDDITCH sky will be filled with colourful balloons as a group raises money for babies and toddlers. The Redditch branch of the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) will be holding a balloon race, with the balloons provided by McDonald's, on Sunday, June
NEW College's hair and beauty department won a new customer on Wednesday when Antonio Meitin had his hair bleached in aid of the County Air Ambulance. Student Dawn Ashburn put her skills to the test and set about tackling the job for free.
REDDITCH folk are being urged to join the UK's force of 21 million who spend an average of four hours every week volunteering and helping their community. National Volunteers' Week runs from Friday and Redditch CAB is taking the opportunity to highlight
Fairfield Villa (2) 2 Holly Lane (0) 2 Midland Combination Division One FAIRFIELD finished the season with a draw against Erdington-based side Holly Lane. Villa, who were playing their 11th game in three weeks, took to the field with a depleted side but
REDDITCH and South Warwickshire Combination results for May 27: Premier: Black Horse 1 Garringtons Sunday 2. South Redditch 3 Fordrough 2. Westbury Celtic 2 Hymatic/Allendale 4. Bromsgrove General 6 Bromsgrove Athletic 5. Fairfield Sunday 0 Austin Ex
LEAFIELD Panthers U8s 1 Callowbrook Swifts U8s 2.Swifts' away form continued with another solid display. Jay Hurley got Swifts on their way from a close range shot into the corner. Matthew Wood scored Swifts' second off another excellent corner from Leon
NOISY neighbours could soon be silenced with the help of environment experts who are lending an ear to harassed householders. Residents who are being driven up the wall by rock music playing at all hours or yapping dogs, can seek advice at a forthcoming
WORCESTERSHIRE are ex-pecting a 4,500 full house for the opening day of their game against the Australians which gets underway at New Road on Friday. "Tickets have been going very well," said Mike Vockins, who retires after the match after 30 years as
DROITWICH Spa has been flushed with success after a loo expert said the town's toilets are in the premier league with their facilities. British Toilet Association director Richard Chisnell said Wychavon District Council's WCs are a shining example of
A TRAILBLAZING teenager from Droitwich Spa has dozens of amazing stories to share after an unforgettable expedition in Africa. Continent-hopping Vivien Searle is back from Ghana after three months camping under the stars. The 19-year-old Moreland Road
THE ballot box battle is well under way but do you know who to vote for? On Thursday June 7 residents will be voting in the General Election. Four candidates are vying for the Mid-Worcestershire seat, which covers Droitwich Spa and surrounding villages
WORCESTER Rugby Club have continued their summer rebuilding programme with two new signings. Flying Australian winger Chris Garrard and Henley's highly rated centre Duncan Roke are set to play crucial roles next season at Sixways as Worcester attempt
WORCESTERSHIRE are ex-pecting a 4,500 full house for the opening day of their game against the Australians which gets underway at New Road on Friday. "Tickets have been going very well," said Mike Vockins, who retires after the match after 30 years as
A KNEE injury has wrecked Olympic medallist Simon Archer's individual world championship hopes. The Worcester badminton ace limped out of the world team championships in a surprise opening appearance in the Sudirman Cup in Seville. Archer had not been
WORCESTER Rugby Club's juniors were rubbing shoulders with the best players in the world when they starred at Twickenham before the Barbarians' encounter with England. The under 10s, 11s and 12s all travelled to rugby's headquarters to play in the Scottish
THE season starts on Saturday according to Studley CC skipper Mark Lewis. The Washford Fields captain has told his underperforming stars they are in the last chance saloon after a dreadful start to the season. The early promise of a winning draw against
Studley entertained Redditch in a high-stakes Birmingham League Knockout Cup clash. Put into bat, Studley were under pressure against a keen Redditch attack backed up by good fielding. Stuart Harris 19, Miller 19, and Gregory 19, saw Studley record 85
A £35,000 target to create a playground for children at the Alexandra Hospital has been beaten, writes Becky Procter. The extra money means CCTV can be installed on the site, at the centre of an appeal by the hospital's League of Friends since last year
CONCERN over the amount of space for staff working in the outpatient department at the Alexandra Hospital have been raised by a health watchdog. Redditch and Bromsgrove Community Health Council highlighted fears after a recent visit to the hospital. Members
MY family recently moved from Redditch to Barnt Green, in Worcestershire - from a B98 postcode to B45. We discovered that as a consequence of this relatively short distance move we have incurred a new tax: "postcode tax." The Royal Mail allocates postcodes
WORCESTER Rugby Club have continued their summer rebuilding programme with two new signings. Flying Australian winger Chris Garrard and Henley's highly rated centre Duncan Roke are set to play crucial roles next season at Sixways as Worcester attempt
COOKHILL were at home against Alvechurch & Hopwood in a keenly-fought contest. Batting first, Cookhill were all out for 149 with significant contributions from the middle order of Rob Williams 33, Nick Charles 34 and Richard McCracken 39. Alvechurch
WORCESTERSHIRE Community and Mental Health NHS Trust has been recognised as an Investor in People employer, a national standard that states a level of good practice for the training and development of staff. The Audit Commission estimates NHS trusts spend
THE big story this week is the closure of British Waterways' premier carp fishery, Earlswood Engine Lake, following a major mysterious fish death. This follows a statement last week from BW boss Keith Fisher that only a small number of fish, around 150
Stay tuned to the Advertiser site for the election results as soon as they are announced
A HANBURY company has exhibited at a top boat show. The New Boat Company, based at Hanbury Wharf, had its wares on display at the two-day event at the Crick Boat Show, in Northamptonshire.
OPERATING profit at Robert Wiseman Dairies, which has a site in Droitwich Spa, has topped £20m. The group said liquid milk sales were up 7.8 per cent while turnover had risen 4.7 per cent. The encouraging figures feature in their preliminary results.
Thursday May 31 l Music: Ballroom Glitz+Rock Bottom, Robin Hood, Brierley Hill. l Theatre: Nobody's Perfect, Festival Theatres, Grange Road, Malvern, 8pm. Until Saturday. l Psychic: Keith Charles, Huntingdon Hall, Crowngate, Worcester, 7.30pm. Friday
ABBEY senior professional Rob Davies is heading to Blackpool in the final of the Maxfli PGA Assistants' Championship after a successful round in the Stratford qualifying competition. Davies beat Redditch's Neil Turley on the way to a one over par 71 which
REDDITCH bounced back from a weekend defeat to Hagley with a Bank Holiday win at Lichfield. Guy Muspratt's troops climbed back into the chasing pack after recording their third win of the campaign. Overseas star Jason Morgan knocked 59 as the visitors
ALVECHURCH Middle School is celebrating a triple success on the sports field. The year eight girls basketball team have been crowned county champions and the year five and year seven netball teams won district titles. The basketballers beat Aston Fields
ENVIRONMENTALLY friendly Beoley First School pupils spent the day tidying up the village on Thursday. The Church Hill school won a European eco award last year but pupils had to carry out a 'day of action' within the community this year to keep it. Activities
NINE of the UK's leading folk musicians will be joining forces to round off the season at The Old Chapel, near Frankley, next Thursday. The Oysterband will be taking to the stage with new material alongside refreshing and compelling arrangements of traditional
CATCH Bromsgrove rock band Easy on Friday night, June 15. The lads are supporting a tribute band at Changes wine bar, in Blackheath.
TALENTED musicians are set to hit the right note at a fundraising concert in Hanbury on Wednesday June 13. Set in the spectacular grounds of Hanbury Hall, Wyre Forest Symphony Orchestra's concert will be breaking new ground. Members are performing in
I THINK Sarah Greenaway (You Say, May 16) could be right. A massive Labour election victory may be used as a vote of confidence with regard to further European integration by Blair. He is assured of that majority because the Independence Party will gain
BEFORE the last election Tony Blair pledged "if the Labour Government has not raised the living standards of the poorest pensioners by the end of its time in office, it will have failed". Government figures show that 400,000 more pensioners are living
MANY charities have been supported by the Worcestershire Hunt over the years, including the County Air Ambulance. Following the announcement by the Government that no money was available to assist the Maggs Day Centre raise their £30,000 shortfall last
AVONCROFT Saturday Seconds maintained their unbeaten start to the season, but were unable to break through the stubborn resistance of visitors Old Halesonians, having to settle for a winning draw. Having been asked to bat first, Avoncroft's innings was
A STAGGERING 40 stores have signed up to join a pioneering project aimed at stamping out retail crime in the Kingfisher Centre, writes Becky Procter. The Retail Crime Operation was relaunched in February after a rocky start but the scheme has flourished
FINAL preparations to ensure a £350,000 CCTV system goes on line in the town centre within the next two weeks are taking place, writes Becky Procter. A total of 14 cameras have been installed at strategic points around the centre and will be monitored
A forum for Alvechurch voters to quiz their candidates for the General Election takes place on Friday. The forum, for candidates in the Bromsgrove constituency, is at 7.30pm at the Baptist Church. It has been organised by Alvechurch and Rowney Green Churches
IT was with amusement and dismay that I read your article about Droitwich Spa town councillor Frank Payne (Lab, Droit.West) calling for a homes extension ban. Hypocritically over the years, he has made improvements to his own home. I always thought it
MAY I take this opportunity of thanking you most sincerely for the help your newspaper has given me in regaining the allowance which was stopped way back in February unbeknown to myself. At the same time I would like to thank Mrs White, of the DHS, in
THE refuse disposal site serving Droitwich Spa lies two miles from the town along the Stratford Road. There is no public transport to this site so cars and vans are the mode of preference, and for the past three weeks some 70 vehicles have sat locked
STUDLEY manager Mark Chambers was upbeat despite seeing Nuneaton Griffs pip his troops to the Midland Combination title. BKL did their bit by beating Southam 2-0 to take a five point lead at the top only to see their rivals retain the crown with a 1-0
ALVECHURCH looked as though they were playing their first game of the season rather than their last in a three-nil win over neighbours Feckenham on Saturday, writes Matt Smith. And despite being Church's 16th game in 26 days the hosts started brightly
May 28, 1976 The public loo at Winyates, Redditch, was completed some nine months ago - yet shoppers still walk in fearful trepidation. Is it or isn't it open? Happily though, the question mark which has hung over this inconvenient convenience is likely
HOUSING benefit fraudsters in Bromsgrove are facing a crackdown. The District Council is updating its anti-fraud procedures in a bid to prevent and detect housing benefit fraud. Cabinet members are due to vote on the proposed changes at a meeting at The
HISTORY was brought to life for pupils at a Charford school with the visit of a mysterious stanger. Children's entertainer "Professor McGinty" came to Charford First School to take youngsters on a trip back in time to the Second World War. The professor
A WELL-KNOWN Bromsgrove photographer who had won many awards for his work has died. Michael Mackenzie who traded as Michael Stuart Photography, died in Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital on Monday night. He was 53. Sandra, his wife of 20 years, said
GARY Hackett has severed his links with Bromsgrove Rovers while director of football Steve Daniels has been confirmed as the Greens' new boss. Hackett, who was Daniels's right-hand man during his stint with the Greens, is now looking to manage a side
A PENSIONER was cheated out of life savings of nearly £20,000 by bogus roof repair workmen. Seventy-two years-old retired caretaker Eric Farrington was first told the work on his home in Wellington Road, Bromsgrove, would cost only £12. But as the days
THE career of a performing pensioner from Blackwell is going from strength to strength after she narrowly missed reaching the finals of a talent competition. Ukalali-playing Marjorie Pickerill, stage name Rosamund Gray, lives in St Catherine's Road, and
A 17-YEAR-OLD is set to appear in court charged with the robbery of a silver Mazda sports car from Bromsgrove's Grafton Manor Hotel. The incident is alleged to have happened on the night of Saturday April 28 during a wedding party at the Grafton Lane
AT the meeting on May 14 at the Greig Hall, national demonstrator Setsuko Watanbe gave a lovely demonstration entitled 'In Search of Beauty'. Her designs were exquisite and she also demonstrated Ikebana, which was very much admired. The annual outing
BROMSGROVE Cricket Club's First XI finally halted their run of successive defeats over the Bank Holiday weekend. This wasn't before they suffered their fifth and most conclusive on Saturday at the hands of Himley, and their West Indian test match opener
FOUR candidates have confirmed they will contest the Bromsgrove seat in the General Election on June 7 after nominations closed. Conservative candidate Julie Kirkbride will defend her 4,845 majority in the constituency she won in 1997. She intends to
A GROUP which celebrates the life and work of a Bromsgrove-born poet has snapped up a rare treasure - a first edition copy of A E Housman's 'A Shropshire Lad'. The Housman Society treasurer Peter Sisley spotted the find when a member based in America
JOHN Plain, a shopkeeper from Dunhampstead, appeared before Droitwich Spa magistrates charged with selling adulterated salt butter. 100 years ago June 1, 1901 JOHN Plain, a shopkeeper from Dunhampstead, appeared before Droitwich Spa magistrates charged
BEER on sale in pubs in Bromsgrove is up to standard it has been officially reported by men who know a good ale when they taste one. Members of Bromsgrove's ancient Court Leet reported their findings after selflessly undergoing a pub crawl to sample the
AT the May meeting, held at the Kings Court Hotel, Mrs Caroline Newey, from Alcester, gave a talk about her holiday on the volcanic rock island of the Galapagos. She vividly described the boat trip and the rough sea landings and gave an insight into the
VILLAGERS are rallying round to help provide safe water for a drought-stricken overseas country. The Rev Richard Harding, vicar at the Parish Church of Holy Trinity and St Mary, in Priory Road, Dodford, has urged residents to raise cash to fund a bore
ON May 22 at the Greig Hall, Kate from The Samaritans gave an interesting and thought-provoking talk on this caring service, started by the Anglican priest Chad Vara in 1953. The branch in Stratford has charitable status and a phoneline (01789 298866)
COUNCIL leader Nick Psirides dubbed the new charges "fair" even though it would mean tenants missing out on a "Rolls Royce" service in a bid to make the books balance. At the press conference the new charges for sheltered housing tenants were announced
A RARE lead figure of a girl made by the world famous Bromsgrove Guild of Applied Arts failed to find a buyer when it came up for auction on Friday May 25. The scantily clad figure made by craftsmen in the early 1900s at the Guild, which had premises
FOOD-LOVERS are in for a treat thanks to a special week of attractions at a Bromsgrove restaurant. The Parador restaurant, at the Hanover International Hotel, in Kidderminster Road, is holding a special Indian food week from Monday, June 4 to Saturday
PUPILS from the Yamaha Music School based at Arrow Vale Community High School will be joining other talented young musicians at a national festival at Symphony Hall on Sunday. Students will form an ensemble with others from Codsall, Dorridge, Droitwich
COMEDIAN Stewart Lee will be performing at the Palace Theatre for one night only. Stewart, who along with comedy partner Richard Herring, has written and co-starred in television shows Fist of Fun and This Morning With Richard Not Judy, will share his
THE National Trust has carpeted the competition after teaming up with Brintons to produce a range of new patterns. Designs have been inspired by Trust-run Osterley Park, Petworth House and Uppark with the Kidderminster company eager to target period home
DROITWICH firm Nu-Way has proved it is king when it comes to installing its burners in double-quick time. Oil burners supplied by the company are helping take the chill off corporate conferences at Hever Castle, in Kent. The appliances were installed
WEEKS of collecting evidence and information resulted in a series of dawn raids by police across Redditch on Thursday, writes Becky Procter. A number of officers and a dog handler were drafted in to help carry out Operation Quash across the south west
SUNSEEKERS enjoying the facilities at Redditch's Arrow Valley Countryside Centre did a double take yesterday afternoon when Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott rolled up for a whistle-stop visit. Mr Prescott, who was visiting his 75th destination on the
A MOSLEM leader has lodged a complaint against the way Redditch police handled recent clashes between white and Asian youths in the town. The chairman of Redditch Mosque, Mahboob Akhtar, has written to West Mercia Constabulary. A West Mercia spokesman
SHAKESPEARE revision aids could soon be a thing of the past thanks to a rather novel version of the Bard's works. Not only do the Reduced Shakespeare Company pack all 37 plays into 97 minutes, they explain them as well. Thus we learn that the Bard really
