TONY Windo will not be allowed to captain an England counties XV to tour Chile next month after being named as skipper for the squad. Worcester Rugby Club's prop was yesterday named as part of a 26-man squad from 11 counties for a three-match tour of
THREE Droitwich men attacked two others after a night out drinking, a court heard. Matthew Greening, Simon Child and Lee Mitchell descended on the two victims in Ombersley Street West in December last year. The victims had been out for the evening and
A WOMAN who has had her pet birds stolen for the second time is so upset she is thinking of moving home. Trudy Stirzaker, said she had installed CCTV since the theft and is looking at having a barbed wire fence put round the gates of her home in Doverdale
WORCESTER winger Nicky Crawford bagged another two tries for England as they swept into the final of the Women's World Cup with a 53-10 win over Canada in Barcelona yesterday. Crawford and her team-mates will now take on New Zealand in the final at the
WORCESTER drug addicts should be able to visit "shooting galleries" to inject heroin, a powerful group of MPs has said. In a controversial report, the Home Affairs Select Committee said "safe injecting houses" were needed to get chronic users off the
RECURRENT flooding at a Worcester arts centre is now being investigated by Severn Trent Water. Water has been seeping into Worcester Arts Workshop sporadically over a period of four years - but the cause is not known. The six inches of water that has
A WOMAN fears for children crossing a country footpath after her pony was bitten by a snake. Four-year-old Cariad was grazing on a patch of grass when the snake struck. "We went to visit her on Sunday and when we got there she had a bite on her neck,"
A PETITION calling for better road safety measures on the A38 through Fernhill Heath will be presented to the Government, today. The document, signed by 490 local people and collected by North Claines Parish Council, was due to be presented to the House
A FINE collection of oak furniture, sculptures and works of art collected by one man during his lifetime could fetch more than a £1m when it is auctioned today. The collection was amassed by avid collector Clive Sherwood who died in Bromsgrove in June
LEARNING about the differences between home and abroad have been high on the agenda for those on Exercise Mono Prix. For some it has meant not just differences in temperature and altitude, but cultural exchanges. Private Phil Banner has learnt what healthcare
A FARMER who was prevented from turning his derelict buildings into industrial units to earn a living is considering an appeal. Around 50 people from Abbots Morton Residents Association turned up at last month's Wychavon planning meeting to hear Guy Teasdale's
The Company has spent its time in Kenya wisely. If its soldiers are to be expected to be ready for combat in Afghanistan then they need to know what to expect. Nanyuki stands at 7000ft above sea level and temperatures soar into the 90s. Being in a tough
WORCESTER City Council has joined forces with a national charity to cut down on office waste. The council is working alongside ActionAid on a scheme to encourage staff to recycle photocopier, fax and printer cartridges. The cartridges are not biodegradable
MUSIC lovers have a treat in store for them this summer when Bands in the Park comes to a Bromsgrove venue. A musical extravaganza, promoted by Bromsgrove District Council, will delight brass fanatics as 14 bands take to the stage on the brand new bandstand
WHILE most of the company was on its final exercise at a place called Archers Post, some soldiers played a vital role in Nanyuki. Lance Corporal Oliver Matthews is normally in the battalion's A Company. But for Exercise Mono Prix he has been drafted in
A TEACHER who lied at her bankruptcy hearing to save the school she ran for dyslexic children has been jailed for six months. Ellen Hamer, aged 51, the proprietor of Grange House in Pembridge, near Leominster, pretended the private school was run by a
ONE Malvern soldier is counting his blessings that he has a Kenyan stamp in his passport. Private Steve Davies almost wasn't going to be allowed on the plane after being injured back in Chester. The 19-year-old from Leigh Sinton Road, Malvern Link, suffered
WORCESTERSHIRE County Council is under the microscope this week as national inspectors work through the authority's business. The council is undergoing its Comprehensive Performance Assessment visit until tomorrow. Audit Commission inspectors are looking
WORCESTERSHIRE councillors have been urged to bombard the Government with demands for fairer funding. MPs have recognised the current formula used to calculate grants, which supplement each council's running costs, discriminates against authorities like
May 24, 1902 WALTER Rogers and Albert Wheeler, butchers of Alvechurch, were charged with fighting in Red Lion Street, Alvechurch, on May 8. Pc Bennett said he saw the defendants fighting at mid-day on the 8th inst. They struck each other several times
May 20, 1977 STUDLEY Parish Council has pledged its support to traders objecting to an onslaught of yellow lines in the village. And following an hour-long and often heated discussion between a traders' deputation and councillors at a parish council meeting
BROMSGROVE cyclist Paul Prince finished third in the L'etape de la defonce two-day race in South Wales at the weekend. Prince, who lives on the Parklands Estate, won Sunday's third stage and final stage while other town cyclists, Phil Tranter, Joe Rowe
BROMSGROVE Golf Club ladies' team won their inaugural Inter Counties Scratch League match 4-1 at home to Chesterfield. The Bromsgrove team was made up of Liz Newton, Debbie Day, Lis Stirling, Andrea Kiernan and Jo Smallwood. The ladies are also through
BARNT Green Tennis Club is holding an open morning on Saturday to give people a chance to look around. Everyone is invited to the club, in Margesson Drive, off Bittel Road, between 10.30am and 1.30pm to see what facilities are on offer. As well as tennis
PROBABLY I am going to be stoned at the altar of the church of Star Wars fans but Episode II - Attack of the Clones is certainly not worth the wait - the two-and-a-half hour film seemed to last almost as long as the wait for the new instalments must have
AT last, I am not the only person in the world who views Pop Idol as a load of rubbish and bad TV that couch potatoes were prepared to have thrown to them as entertainment. Strange how the people behind Pop Idol were able to sell for £10 million the rights
WORKERS at a Redditch industrial site are concerned their health may be affected if plans to erect a mobile telephone mast go ahead. Proposals by Hutchinson 3G to put the mast on Lakeside Industrial Site have met with anger from people who work there.
By Melina Cannon SHOPPERS' rights will be top of the agenda when a Trading Standards display is staged at the Kingfisher Centre next week. Consumer advisers will be at the centre on Monday to offer free advice on any problems or issues from 9.30am-4pm
Batchley Family Festival proved a hit when visitors had the chance to pick the brains of experts in various vital services. The Inland Revenue, Benefits Agency and Employment services were on hand at Batchley First School last Wednesday.
Plans are in the pipeline to build a two-storey office block with 78 car parking spaces in Hedera Road at Ravensbank Business Park. Shepard Developments has lodged plans with Bromsgrove Council in consultation with Redditch Council.
AS half term approaches, Redditch Council has organised a number of events to keep youngsters from being bored. Kingsley Sports Centre and Arrow Vale Sports Centre have unveiled packed programmes. Places on all half-term courses are limited and booking
HANBURY Football Club U15s have done their manager proud by winning promotion to the Central Warwickshire Youth League premier division in his last season in charge. The team has won division one under manager Tony Stock, who is leaving the club after
BROMSGROVE CC First XI captain Nick Husbands has launched a scathing attack on his players, claiming they are not good enough for the Birmingham and District Premier League division one. Husbands' side went down by 61 runs to Sutton Coldfield at St Godwalds
BEN Hewitt scored a hat-trick as Finstall Juniors U7s romped to an 8-2 victory over Meadows School U7s. Billy Skinner netted twice for Meadows but Finstall ran the show. Hewitt's scoring spree was also backed up with strikes from Tom Mason and Chris Cornellison
TWO Droitwich Spa footballers have excelled themselves after being selected for the Worcestershire North England Association of Schools U12s. Craig Brown and Ciaron Sheehan, who attend Witton Middle School and Westacre Middle respectively, played in two
WORCESTERSHIRE today scotched fears that their temporary signing of South African pace ace Allan Donald could be in doubt. Donald has been lined up by the County to stand in for Andy Bichel as their overseas player for three weeks, while Bichel takes
TONY Windo will not be allowed to captain an England counties XV to tour Chile next month after being named as skipper for the squad. Worcester Rugby Club's prop was yesterday named as part of a 26-man squad from 11 counties for a three-match tour of
Worcester winger Nicky Crawford bagged another two tries for England as they swept into the final of the Women's World Cup with a 53-10 win over Canada in Barcelona yesterday. Crawford and her team-mates will now take on New Zealand in the final at the
TWO Worcester Swimming Club members won titles at the inaugural Midland District Youth Championships. The most successful swimmer was Katie Peachey, in the girls 18yrs/over age group, who won gold in the 400m individual medley (5.08.48) and 100m fly (
THE Malvern Football League staged its annual meeting when the yearly report and several presentations were made. The main presentation of the evening was the election of Norman Simmons as a life member of the league. Currently the chairman of the league
THREE Wythall performers will be starring in a lively show presented by the Argosy Musical Theatre Company in Birmingham next week. Louise Toal, Sharon Walton and Felicity Legge star in Cole Porter's Anything Goes at the Crescent Theatre, Brindley Place
A CELEBRATION of Noel Coward's hallmark wit and humour is being staged at Birmingham Repertory Theatre next week. Masterpieces - The Words and Music of Noel Coward runs at the Main House from next Wednesday until Saturday, June 15. It takes a refreshing
AN Astwood Bank youngster has been chosen to dance in Birmingham Royal Ballet's forthcoming production at the city's Hippodrome theatre. Stephanie Eldridge, who has been dancing since the age of two, has been having lessons as a Birmingham Royal Ballet
THE scene is set for a series of comic misadventures when Wythall Theatre Company presents Party Piece at the Palace Theatre this week. The fast-paced Richard Harris comedy takes place on the night of Michael's and Roma's fancy dress house-warming party
SUMPTUOUS sets and costumes will feature in a tragic tale of passion and a comic opera at Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre. Ellen Kent and Opera International present Verdi's La Traviata and Rossini's The Barber of Seville, performed by the Ukrainian National
ALVECHURCH overcame their by now familiar batting collapse to claim a dramatic last over win against Victoria and Blakeley at the weekend. And with league leaders Hereford City pocketing just eight points from an abandoned match against Alveley, Nick
ASTWOOD Bank's winless start to the season continued with defeat to mid-table Droitwich Spa at the weekend. Alex Robinson's side, still finding their feet after two successive promotions, were undone by a disappointing batting display but the skipper
Three star Van the Man has played it fairly safe on Down The Road and consequently the album suffers for it. He sounds like his good old self but whether you want that on every song without fail is questionable and since he's clearly not working to the
FECKENHAM captain Andy Fletcher is bidding to challenge for honours on two fronts when his side take their bow in the National Village Knockout at the weekend. The Millers stayed hot on the heels of leaders Evesham with their second win at the weekend
Four star IF you want to try before you buy, the single We Are All Made Of Stars is a perfect taster for Moby's latest release. The melodic, sinewave beat, harking back to the electronic days of the 80s is the opening track on another delightful dreamlike
ALCESTER crashed to a four wicket defeat to Norton Lindsey at the weekend as their mixed start to the season continued. Nick Chadbourne's side set their hosts a target of 141 but saw Norton knock them off for the loss of six wickets. The Ragley Park side
Three star TWEET is a refreshing new songbird to arrive on the R 'n' B horizon who bares her heart and soul in this musical exploration of life and love. The album reads a bit like a diary and you can't help feeling sorry for Tweet what with all the trials
GREAT Alne are reaping the rewards of their close season decision to drop several rungs down the Cotswold Hills League ladder. The Henley Road side took the bold step to drop into Division Five to give their young side competitive games and have started
WYCHAVON District Council's youngest councillor is making sure Golden Jubilee celebrations go with a swing and is raising cash for charity at the same time. Councillor Trudy Burge, of Pershore, is inviting residents to get into the groove and join her
AN appeal has gone out for people to give a mother and child from Belarus a holiday in their home for two weeks this summer. The Evesham Group of the Chernobyl Children's Project needs hosts in the Evesham area from August 3 and 17. Jenny Powis, project
LORRAINE Warren and Jackson Graham, from Evesham, were among Worcestershire County Council Social Services staff picking up awards at a ceremony at the Civic Centre, Pershore. The staff have been given the seal of approval for their improved skills in
FEARS have been voiced that problems in the Alexandra Hospital's A&E department could go unnoticed when a health watchdog is axed. Concern follows a spot check on Monday when members of the doomed Redditch and Bromsgrove Community Health Council carried
A CAMPAIGN aimed at encouraging new mums to breastfeed was presented to Kingfisher Centre shoppers last week. Redditch community health visitors were in the centre as part of National Breastfeeding Week to provide advice and information. A pioneering
Workers at a Redditch company raised more than £1,200 for charity last week. Johnson Controls staff collected the cash during Vision Week for the Primrose Hospice through a range of activities. The firm, in Hedera Road, Ravensbank Business Park, held
A NEW five-hour fishery record was set by Chris Whitehouse (Spartans) at Furnace Mill. Whitehouse pole fished meat at Mucky Meadow pool 52 for a 105-8-0 Carp haul. Team mate Chris Ball was second with 75-2-0 and third was Jez Williams' (Strettons) 61-
HEADERS clinched the Monday Division Three title in the E & E Engineering/Banks's Brewery Worcester Friendly Skittle League with a 59-pin away victory over M & Ms. Kingfishers took the Division One title while Marauders won Division Two. Division
DEAR EDITOR - May I remind residents living in the Bromsgrove District Council area that there is an extended Bank Holiday coming up at the end of this month and beginning of June to commemorate the Queen's Golden Jubilee. The council will not collect
DEAR EDITOR - Amongst the attributes accumulated by the departing leader of Bromsgrove District Council we can now add circus skills. After the initial shock of the u-turn on the pensioners' bus pass issue, last week's news of a double u-turn by the deposed
DEAR EDITOR - I am sure your readers will have read with relief and delight the news with regards to the former UEF site in Bromsgrove and the proposals for the creation of up to 700 jobs. I am equally sure that the new leader of the Conservative group
DEAR EDITOR - Now the development at Copcut Lane, Droitwich, has been deferred for ten years, it will give our planners time to give thought to a sensible development of this area. This land would be ideal for a comprehensive office and high-tech development
DEAR EDITOR - Please may I be allowed through your columns to respond to Pat McDonalds policy statements about his new bar. Actually, I'm already a patron of his stylish Epic Bar. I like the refurbishment, the food and the atmosphere, as do lots of other
REDDITCH Sailing Club stars Jonathan Woodward and Julie Moore were on top form for Great Britain in the World Championships. The Arrow Valley Lake duo finished 19th overall in the Enterprise championships at Goa, India. And after returning to the UK the
WINYATES Green biker Andy Burbidge is still waiting for the last elusive pair of signatures for his National Racing Licence. The youngster was in South Wales at the weekend to compete in a New Era event at Pembrey. With just two signatures needed for
JETSKIER Andy Rich is hoping to continue his blistering form in round two of the British Summer Series at Blackpool Pleasure Beach at the weekend. The Winter champion enjoyed a perfect start to the more challenging summer season with a win in the opening
WYTHALL driver Barry Pearson enjoyed a successful outing in his return to racing with second in class in the Volkswagen Cup. Pearson, was eighth overall after making his championship bow in round three at Donington. The Donington round had plenty of exposure
WORCESTERSHIRE registered their second win of the season, beating Bedfordshire in an exciting match with a thrilling finish. Saturday's play began with a 4-2 loss for the women's B, Carol Jones 14.74 won 3-0 as did Chris Glover who earned the match award
FORMULA Three hopeful Stefan Hodgetts is hoping the sort of contractual wrangles which ruined his last racing season will not return to dog him this year. Hodgetts' Sweeney Hopper Racing team dropped out of the Formula Ford Zetec Championship last season
White Hart's Heart of England Over 60's played Colebrook at home and after three ends the Hart were only three shots ahead with winning cards from Barbara Colley (21-13) and Stan Howard (21-14). Wins from Tony Wedgbury (21-14) and John Robinson (21-20
Bad weather at the start of the week prompted the cancellation of the Claverdon v Studley match PRS Summer Tennis League fixture. Claverdon have only one point from two matches played, and Studley eightfrom three. Littleton confirmed their good start,
REDDITCH came out on top in four of the 12 events at the Worcestershire Youth Games. The town was one of only six competing districts to field teams in each event with more than 100 children flying the flag for Redditch at Stourport. Town athletes won
LITERATURE lovers will be in their element when a renowned poet brings the classic works of Philip Larkin to life. Anthony Thwaite, chosen as one of Philip Larkin's literary executors, will appear at L G Harris & Co Ltd, in Hanbury Road, Stoke Prior
RICHARD Udall writes (You Say, May 7) of "cowardly" Palestinian suicide bombers. However much we may deplore their point of view, it surely takes great courage to blow yourself to smithereens in the name of the cause in which you believe. GEORGE COWLEY
AUDIENCES will roll in the aisles with laughter when an award winning star is let loose at a Wolverhampton theatre. Tickets are now on sale for Peter Kay's stand-up comedy act at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall in North Street later this year. Tickets for
AN ex-police officer has been paid an undisclosed sum (Evening News, May 13) and you can bet your life it is in the high thousands of pounds. As we, the public are the mugs who pick up the tab, perhaps a good deterrent future bullies would understand
I FEEL compelled to write, if for nothing else but to try and make the citizens of Worcester aware of what a brilliant Mayor they have had serving this city for the last year. The retiring Mayor, Coun David Clark and his wife Lyn, have been fantastic
TENS of thousands of pounds is to be spent to improve the safety of school routes, writes Helen Clarke. As part of Redditch's Safer Routes to School, Worcestershire County Council is starting work this week on the construction of a new cycle lane in Batchley
A lifesaving course for anyone interested in becoming a swimming teacher will be held at Kingsley College on Sunday, June 23. The course will offer a certificate to become an Amateur Swimming Association Qualified Instructor. For more details, costs call
A SPORTING youth from Rubery is limbering up for a charity run and his effort to collect bags of cash for a cause very close to his heart. James Nickless, aged 17, is taking part in the village's half marathon, on Sunday, June 16, to raise funds for St
YOUNGSTERS from a Bromsgrove school put the jewels into the crown in preparation for their Golden Jubilee celebrations. Creative children between the ages of seven and nine, from Charford First School have made 50 crowns for a Royal treasure hunt as part
TOWN children said 'au revoir' to Bromsgrove on Monday, May 20, when they headed to France for a week-long trip. Thirteen students from the Mount School are in Paris, with the Eiffel Tower, the River Seine and the Stade de France among the attractions
by PETE LAMMAS LESS than two weeks after it was taken over by a Danish company the 150 staff employed at a Rubery firm have been told they are out of a job. The news came as a bombshell to staff employed by the giant We Are Cleaning company, situated
COUNCIL taxpayers in Bromsgrove may have been short changed over the sale of a plot of land at Aston Fields, it is claimed, despite it being sold for more than double what it was on the market for two years ago. The opposition Labour group on Bromsgrove
THE leader of Bromsgrove District Council has denied "dithering" over plans to reintroduce free bus passes for elderly people. Last Wednesday the council's executive cabinet, again, deferred making a decision to take the scheme, it was hoped would start
COMMUNITY leaders in Bromsgrove and Droitwich Spa are to have more control over a vital road running through both towns, if a new highways plan gets the green light. The Highways Agency, which manages, maintains and improves the network of major roads
SPA dignitaries gathered at one of the town's parks to plant an oak tree in memory of the Queen Mother. The Mayor of Droitwich, town councillor Maureen Lawley (Con - Droit Central), planted the tree in the Lido Park, Worcester Road, watched by onlookers
Members of a long-running Bromsgrove organisation, which caters for people with learning difficulties, say their club is facing extinction unless they can find new volunteers. The Bromsgrove Challenger Club, which deals with the recreational side of MENCAP
A GRANT of nearly £20,000 looks set to boost sporting opportunities for youngsters at two Droitwich schools. The £18,000 for Droitwich Spa High School, in Briar Mill, will allow the school to team up with Whitford Hall and Dodderhill School, in Crutch
ANGRY Westlands residents are going into action to counter the estate's bad reputation. They have formed Westlands Action for Residents and Tenants (WART) to promote the area and combat comments that it has a higher crime rate than the majority of other
GREEN-FINGERED townspeople are being urged to grab their gardening gloves and make this year's Droitwich Spa in Bloom competition the biggest yet. The town's annual competition promises to be a big success, especially as this year's festival has a Queen's
BROMSGROVE Rovers have been promoted to the Dr Martens Western league. It means the Victoria Ground club has spent just one season in the Midland Football Alliance and has returned to the Western at the first time of asking. Rovers, who finished second
AVONCROFT CC First XI crashed to a 42-run home defeat against Dominies and Guild on Saturday despite only chasing 109 for victory. Croft gave away easy wickets and captain Paul Athey was understandably disappointed with the result. He said: "We chucked
YOUNGSTERS who use the town's skate park could be put at risk by constant vandalism. Regular inspections at the park have revealed that spars from the top of the ramp were being removed at an alarming rate of about 10 a week. The spars form part of a
A VISUALLY impaired pupil from St Benedict's has been given an award for her highly creative and artistic talents. Carly Alder, 14, was runner-up in the George Furness Trophy, which is awarded annually to a visually impaired pupil who has achieved a standard
YEAR 9 students at Alcester Grammar School are celebrating their success in a European maths competition. Having already gained silver or gold certificates in a UK-wide challenge in February, 12 students were then invited to take part in the 2002 European
TOWN residents will be able to grab themselves a limited edition Queen's Golden Jubilee souvenir programme to help commemorate the occasion. The programmes cost 50p and are available from various High Street shops or Councillor John Bunting on 01789 766753
AN elderly cat needed emergency medical treatment after it was found wounded. The 13-year-old cat, Howard, was found in Headland Road, Welford, suffering from what is believed to be an air gun wound after a vet treating him found an air gun pellet punctured
THE Sick and Dividend Club at the Ewe and Lamb pub at Stoke Health, Bromsgrove, held its annual sports day on Whit Monday, when around 1,200 turned up to watch. There was a variety of events including hammer throwing and races for all ages. One of the
AN Alcester Grammar School student had a close encounter of the bear kind after trekking over Alaska for six weeks, writes Matt Smith. David White, 18, from Astwood Bank, did the trek as part of the expedition and residential sections of the gold Duke
A TAXI passenger had to take control of the car after a bottle was thrown through a window into the driver's face. It happened as the 21-year-old driver and his front seat passenger drove along Rough Hill Drive towards Oakenshaw island between 11.30-11.40pm
MORE than 40 police officers carried out dawn raids in Redditch last Wednesday. Six men were arrested after the raids, which were part of Operation Empower. Special constables and dog handlers were also involved in the raids on five homes in Redditch,
I am an ex-pupil of Alcester Grammar school (1968-75) and read with interest the current headmasters' intervention to terminate a protest to be held by sixth form students. I see that in the intervening years little has changed in the draconian nature
ENGLAND'S youngsters finished fourth in the Toulon under 20 tournament after failing to score with Man Utd's Jimmy Davis left out. Coach Martin Hunter stuck to his policy of involving all his squad and former Arrow Vale hotshot Davis was the victim for
INSURERS will pay out £120,000 to rebuild the popular Abbey Stadium bowling pavilion which was destoryed in an arson attack in March. But tonight Redditch councillors look set to agree not to rebuild the pavilion but to opt for an insurance payout of
Astwood Bank Carnival has once again been hailed a huge success with about 8,000 revellers turning up. Saturday's parade saw a high standard of entrants, floats, walkers, vintage vehicles and dressed windows. Events on the carnival field were well supported
AN application for a telecommunication mast in Alvechurch has been delegated to Bromsgrove's head of planning for consideration. Hutchinson 3G UK Limited wants to erect a 20m high tower, two dishes, three antennas, an equipment cabinet and fenced compound
IN April, the annual dinner for members was held at McKees Restaurant in Studley. At the May meeting, Maurice Abrey-Hastings will give a talk on the human eye.
THE society is celebrating the overwhelming success of its Jubilee Local History Exhibition - described by many visitors as "superb," which took place on Saturday, May 4, at Feckenham Village Hall. More than 500 people visited the free exhibition, which
THE concluding concert of the society's 40th season was declared one of the best ever. Given by Classic Rhythm (Adrian Sutcliffe - piano; Helen O'Connell - flute, piccolo and recorders; and Chris Brannick - percussion) the players captured the spirit
MORE than £700 was collected by Wythall Animal Sanctuary outside Sainsbury's in Redditch on Saturday, May 11. The record one-day collection for the charity also gathered two trolley loads of pet food. And a special thank you has gone out to a woman who
THE acclaimed Aber Valley Male Voice Choir will be demonstrating their vocal skills in Cookhill next month. The choir will be performing a concert at St Paul's Church on Saturday, June 29, and proceeds will go to the Cookhill Village Hall Building Fund
More than £1,000 was raised from an Easter Draw in aid of Cookhill Village Hall Building Fund. Village Hall Committee chairman Eileen Payne expressed her thanks to everyone who took part.
SMALL businesses in Feckenham and Astwood Bank are celebrating this week after a change in the law. The villages have been included as part of the rural rate relief scheme published by the Government. A mandatory relief of 50 per cent has been put in
THE rare chance to see a car made in Alvechurch at the start of the Queen's reign forms part of village plans to celebrate the Golden Jubilee. There are very few Dellow cars still in existence and the sight and sound of one is set to rekindle memories
THE society meets once a month for lectures during the winter and outings during the summer. Each year, for one of these outings, the secretary arranges a weekend away which enables members to visit historic sites further afield. On May 11, members travelled
AVONCROFT CC First XI crashed to a 42-run home defeat against Dominies and Guild on Saturday despite only chasing 109 for victory. Croft gave away easy wickets and captain Paul Athey was understandably disappointed with the result. He said: "We chucked
CUTNALL Green CC First XI batsman Neil Fletcher had a storming weekend as he notched up 281 runs in two matches. Fletcher (left) hit 142 as Cutnall Green's good run of form continued on Saturday with a 138-run victory over MBS Newland in Worcestershire
DROITWICH Spa CC First XI earned their second consecutive victory with a resounding seven-wicket win against Astwood Bank on Saturday in Worcestershire County League division one. After a slow start to the season, Droitwich produced an efficient display
BROMSGROVE CC Second XI maintained their early season form with a winning draw at Sutton Coldfield on Saturday. In a reduced overs match, Bromsgrove's batting was strengthened by First XI players, Paul Duffy and Phil Hamilton. The pair formed the backbone
THE first gig organised by the founders of a Redditch-based music website takes place at The Venue next week. redditchbands.co.uk presents an all-local show at the Hewell Road venue, headlined by female-fronted metal band Harpies and supported by Fishbox
Thursday, May 23 City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Hall, Birmingham. Tickets from 0121 780 3333. All You Need Is TLC? Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham. Tickets from 0121 440 3838. Stacey Earle and Mark Stuart, Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham
STUDLEY villagers can enjoy a free concert by a Russian choir at Studley Parish Church tomorrow. St Petersburg Singers are a group of seven professional singers touring Britain. They e-mailed the Castle Road church and asked if they could sing there.
ALMOST two years ago, new owners of the Kingfisher Centre Thornfield pledged £60 million to revamp and transform the town's retail offering. Last week, the Redditch Advertiser was given an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the latest developments, including
FIRE crews are to join forces with police and Redditch Council to try to cut the number of bin and rubbish blazes. A recent initiative at Woodrow Centre to curb the high number of rubbish fires was successful. And as the summer approaches, Sub-officer
MORE than 200 classic cars and motorbikes will be on show at Earlswood Lakes Craft Centre on Sunday, June 9. A 50s rock 'n' roll live band and craft shop will also be at the event, which runs from 10am-5pm.
ST Stephen's Church will be the venue for Redditch Orchestra's summer concert which features four masterpieces of the classical repertoire. The concert on Saturday will be opened by Rossini's overture to The Barber of Seville, followed by Music from Bizet's
A GARDEN designed by a Worcester business has won a prestigious Silver Gilt Award at the Royal Horticultural Society's Chelsea Flower Show. The West Midlands-Shizuoka Goodwill Garden was created by Chris Caligari Landscapes, in St John's, and the Julian
WORCESTER-based energy provider npower is holding a Community Advice Surgery in Evesham. The event, on Friday, May 24, is due to take place at Wychavon District Council's One Stop Shop, at 12 Market Place, Evesham, from 9.30am to 11.30am. "We were very
IT was ready, steady, taste at a recent sampling event when bosses from Waitrose stores tried local produce. Hopeful food and drink producers from the two counties wooed the speciality food buyer from Waitrose stores, with a view to having their products
A £400,000 state-of-the-art sprinkler system has been installed in the Kingfisher Centre after concerns the old one would not have worked properly in a fire. The system will be isolated from the main pipes in Redditch after fears there was no guarantee
ROCK legend Rod Stewart is helping one poorly Redditch youngster to a speedy recovery. The superstar gave nine-year-old Glenn Scott, from Woodrow, a signed get-well Scotland shirt as well as photographs after the youngster's third operation on his condition
Redditch fire crews were called to a flood involving electrics at a home in Hollywood Lane, Wythall, on Monday night. Firefighters removed the water and carried out salvage work.
FRUSTRATED drivers stuck in Worcester's city centre traffic jams should be allowed to use unoccupied bus lanes, according to a city councillor. Traffic was being kept at a standstill although there was a free bus lane, Councillor Mike Layland told Worcester
EIGHTIES pop star Toyah Wilcox has chosen to "test the water" in Worcester with a comeback gig. She will sing mostly new songs when she plays Worcester's Marrs Bar as the first date in a mini-tour. The actress, singer, author and presenter hit the headlines
A WORCESTERSHIRE couple have been devastated by the theft of garden ornaments which served as mementoes of some of their late relatives. Christine and Elijah Bowen, of Dormston, near Inkberrow, have branded the thieves "scum" after they stole three stone
TORY MP Peter Luff has written to Tony Blair to demand compensation for householders living close to a planned Throckmorton asylum seeker centre. The Mid-Worcestershire MP said "buck passing" by Whitehall departments had forced him to go direct to the
KIDDERMINSTER police are launching a major crackdown on drug trafficking and crime. The We Don't Buy Crime campaign was launched in the town today at the Gainsborough House Hotel. The scheme is being set up following the success of a similar pilot initiative
HEART attack victims across the two counties will receive faster treatment thanks to a £163,600 grant to pay for state-of-the-art ambulance equipment. All Hereford and Wor-cester Ambulance NHS Trust vehicles will be fitted out with electro-cardiogram
A TEENAGER has told a jury at Worcester Crown Court how he saw the fatal punch as a man was knocked to the ground outside an Evesham kebab shop. Sorren Prosser, aged 26, from Cornmill, Elmley Castle, never regained consciousness and died five days later
ONE man was airlifted to hospital after a car in which he was travelling crashed into buildings on a Worcestershire road after failing to stop for a police check. Worcester police said the blue Vauxhall Cavalier left the A44 Cheltenham Road in Evesham
A FORMER heroin addict was caught driving while disqualified while he went to feed a friend's pets. Paul Grant was stopped by police on March 28, this year, and was found to be a disqualified driver, Worcester Magistrates Court heard yesterday. Grant
A PARAPLEGIC former Worcester student has fought off stiff competition to secure a place at Oxford University. Jonathan Pessol beat 95 candidates to win one of only 12 places to study law at Magdalen College. And he has credited staff at Warndon's Rose
A BROMSGROVE band enjoyed a successful night and raised buckets of cash for a good cause when they played at a town venue last week. Lead singer Andrew Porter, of rock band Valhalla, managed to raise £415 for the Cancer Research Campaign when he organised
COUNTRY music lovers will be in their element this week when a West Country band appear at a Droitwich venue. Rebel Yell, a band which has built up a great reputation over the years, will appear at the Royal British Legion Club, in Salwarpe Road, on Saturday
DOCTORS will be forced to prove their medical ability every five years in a bid to stamp out unprofessional practices which put lives at risk. For the first time, GPs in Worcestershire must regularly show their skills are of a high standard. Those failing
THE battalion drafted in extra manpower to help cope with the various roles needed during the exercise. One of the most important roles was that of instructors for the adventure training part of the trip. Lieutenant Dan Hawling swapped his role of leading
A WORCESTER group for senior citizens will be celebrating the Queen's Golden Jubilee with a tea dance. The Perdiswell Mature Club has been awarded a £4,802 grant from the National Lottery Awards For All fund. The money is being used to fund the dance,
IT has been six months since the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters returned from a two-year tour of Northern Ireland. In and around Omagh they carried out a peace-keeping role, assisting the Northern Ireland Constabulary. Now they are being re-trained
THE lure of the Worcestershire countryside is to be used in a £70,000 drive to encourage Midlanders to explore their own backyards. Giant images of the Malvern Hills and the distinctive Broadway Tower on the edge of the Cotswolds will feature in the Heart
May 24 1952 During recent months, experiments have been conducted in farms in the Redditch area in the use of gas liquor (a waste product formed in the making of coke) as a fertiliser. Disposal of the liquor had been a major problem at Redditch gas works
WORCESTER City manager John Barton paid tribute to Mark Shail's leadership qualities after snapping him up for another season. The 35-year-old, who only arrived at St George's Lane last January as emergency cover, has agreed to commit himself to the club
WORCESTERSHIRE are today facing an intriguing climax to their weather-hit Benson and Hedges Cup quarter-final showdown against Gloucestershire at Bristol. Yesterday the rain relented sufficiently to enable Gloucestershire to make 193-7 with eight balls
WORCESTERSHIRE today scotched fears that their temporary signing of South African pace ace Allan Donald could be in doubt. Donald has been lined up by the County to stand in for Andy Bichel as their overseas player for three weeks, while Bichel takes
BROMSGROVE Golf Club's 17-24 Handicap team has secured a second round place in the Birmingham and District Vale and Robinson Trophy. The team booked its berth on Sunday with a comfortable opening round victory over Boldmere Golf Club. Both teams played
CATSHILL A ladies' darts team is celebrating a league, cup and shield treble in the Bromsgrove Ladies' Darts League. 2001/2002 roll of honour League Winners - Catshill A, Runners-up, Greyhound. League Cup - Winners, Catshill A; Runners-up, Turks Head.
WEEK three of the Heart of England Bowling League saw Alcester consolidate their position at the top of division one with a 21-5 home victory over White Heart. The Raven opened their account for the season with a 20 shot away win at Hockley Heath. Tanworth
AS manager of the North Worcestershire U12 football team, I feel I must write to you. On the evening of May 16, my team was supposed to play Walsall Schools U12 at the Valley Stadium, home of Redditch United FC. It was supposed to be a prestigious cup
WITH reference to your report on the Pagan wedding ceremony of Andrew Marshall and Cally Workman (May 15), I would like to point out to your readers that the first we knew of this ceremony was when we read about it in the Advertiser. The subsequent Anglican
I REFER to the letter from Anne Guest regarding gazumping (Advertiser, May 15). What Mrs Guest fails to mention is that if the purchaser reduces the offer then the vendor is free to consider other offers without being accused of gazumping. If Mrs Guest
I'M getting bored of people complaining about the price of parking in Redditch. Presumably, the price has risen because it's stretched to capacity and the management need to preserve spaces for people who have to drive there by discouraging those who
IN response to the letter about Car Park 7, which described it as 'very little used' (Advertiser, May 15) I have always found it almost full when using it to visit my doctor's surgery. If I recall correctly, it was pressure from the three surgeries near
WE would like to thank everybody involved in the StopEsso Day at Brooklyn Service Station on Saturday, May 18. Passing motorists offered beeps and waves of support to Redditch climate campaigners peacefully demonstrating as part of the nationwide day
I AM worried at the angry reaction of many people to the Government proposals that asylum seekers are to be housed at Throckmorton. Instead of hostility, where is common decency, a Christian attitude towards their fellow man? Or did they ever have one
THIS year's RSPCA week was held between April 29 and May 5. The Worcestershire Mid and Worcester branch held seven-day collections at two of the Tesco supermarkets in the area and raised £1,579.29 at Redditch and £1,843.51 at St Peter's Worcester. A large
Redditch residents planning to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee have been urged to tell Worcestershire County Council. Organisers should include time, date, location and name of the event so everyone in the world can know what is going on in the area
A trip to the Theatre of Dreams, Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United is being offered by Redditch Council. The trip on Friday, June 7, for children aged seven to 12, includes a visit to the north stand, dugout, players tunnel, dressing room and
BROMSGROVE Town U7s have crowned a fine season by finishing runners-up in the Central Warwickshire League Shield. Town lost 4-1 to Highgate United in the final but had an impressive run in the 23-strong team competition, beating Hunt End 9-0 and Redditch
LITERATURE issued by Severn Leisure to coach drivers bringing in customers is to be scrutinised by the town council amid claims that a parking ban is being flouted. The move comes after members were told by Coun John Thompson that Lower High Street was
WORCESTERSHIRE are today facing an intriguing climax to their weather-hit Benson and Hedges Cup quarter-final showdown against Gloucestershire at Bristol. Yesterday the rain relented sufficiently to enable Gloucestershire to make 193-7 with eight balls
WORCESTER City manager John Barton paid tribute to Mark Shail's leadership qualities after snapping him up for another season. The 35-year-old, who only arrived at St George's Lane last January as emergency cover, has agreed to commit himself to the club
RICHARD Hay endured a tough debut in the Autosport Caterham Eurocup at the weekend when he contested the opening rounds of the championship at the Belgian Grand Prix circuit of Spa-Francorchamps. In Saturday's race, the Droitwich ace started from fourth
DROITWICH RFC held its annual awards night at the Glyn Mitchell Memorial Ground on Sunday. Shields were given to U7s through to U17s for player of the year, player's player of the year and most improved player. Player of the year U7s, Tom Fould; U8s,
TERRY Waite CBE relates the trials and rewards of his fascinating career at Malvern Theatres next week. Mr Waite, a much lauded and experienced speaker, appears at Forum Theatre on Monday. Following his early career in the Church Army he spent time in
A REDDITCH couple have danced their final foxtrot and concluding cha-cha-cha after 15 years' teaching. Margaret and Laurence Cox started the tea dance in Redditch in 1987 at the Palace Theatre before moving to the town hall and then finally Oakenshaw's
A GHOSTLY production which recently celebrated its 5,000th performance is being staged at Malvern Theatres next week. The Woman In Black, now in its 13th year in the West End, is one of the most successful plays ever staged, having been seen by more than
RIDING Lights Theatre Company returns to Redditch this week to perform a powerful piece of storytelling at Ipsley Middle School. York-based Riding Lights, internationally renowned for 24 years of touring productions, launched its two Roughshod companies
REDDITCH are hoping to emulate last year's Birmingham League Knockout heroics starting at home to Worcester Cricket Club tonight. The Bromsgrove Road side entertain Division One opponents who should include last year's Redditch skipper Guy Muspratt. Muspratt
EXHALL and Wixford can exact vengeance against a Kineton team who did the double over them last season, with a crucial weekend double header. Scott Carmichael's side sit second in the Cotswold Hills League Premier Division after three wins in three matches
FIVE Ways Old Edwardians' promising start to the season continued with a win over Bridge Trust at the weekend. The win, on a damp track, keeps Chris Jones' side comfortably in the top three and on track for their promotion aim. Masshouse captain Jones
COOKHILL captain Paul Williams said he was disappointed to see his side's match against Teme Valley abandoned at the weekend despite results elsewhere doing him a favour. The Nevill Arms ground was covered in surface water at 10.30am and an early decision
STUDLEY skipper Mark Lewis was again left frustrated after watching his Jekyll and Hyde team undo all their impressive ball work and slump to defeat at the weekend. The Washford Fields side bowled out a Blossomfield team boasting the talents of Nawaz,
HEWELL will be nearing full strength at the weekend after a patched up side ended up on the wrong end of a losing draw at Stone at the weekend. The hosts piled on 223 for four to leave the visitors a vain chase which ended 135 for eight but Hewell's Mark
Three star Maladroit is the fourth album from the LA group Weezer, a band, which until last year, were in the wilderness for the past six. Hash Pipe from The Green Album in 2001 lifted the foursome into recognition again and Maladroit has continued the
Four star WITH Episode I so poorly rated by critics and fans alike, George Lucas had a lot to prove with this, the second instalment in the fabled six-part series. And by jove, he gives it his best shot. In fact, AOTC may even be hailed as a return to
WYTHALL'S perfect start to the season came undone at the weekend with an agonising last ball defeat to Haunchwood. With the game reduced to 35 overs because of the wet weather, Munir top scored for the Silver Street side with 28 on a damp wicket. In a
Four star SAINT Barry is back in style with this latest eclectic offering. The eponymous Mayflower refers to an apartment block and each song is dedicated to characters living there and the stories they have to tell. And what an interesting bunch of people
FIREFIGHTERS from Evesham were called to put out a chimney fire at a house in Church Lane, Bishampton, at 4.30pm on Tuesday. They were able to stop the fire causing any damage to the house.
STRENSHAM opens its first ever youth club at the village hall tomorrow (Friday). The club, which has been set up by the parish council, will be for 11 to 16-year-olds and will open with a party and barbecue from 6.30pm.
THE Worcester-based national home service provider npower will be giving advice and information to customers at the Wychavon One Stop Shop in Market Place, Evesham, between 9.30am and 11.30am tomorrow (Friday). Members of the public can call in and discuss
REDDITCH United manager Rod Brown has secured the first three signatures of his team rebuilding. Crowd favourite Matty Hall has committed himself to the Valley Stadium side after a season with Western Division champions Halesowen Town. The wing wizard
THE final action of the season and roll of honour in the Redditch and South Warwickshire Combination. Bromsgrove Charity Cup Final - Garringtons Sunday 1 Woodside 0. Hunt Crane Cup Final - Alcester Rovers 1 (Wilson) Lakeside 3 (Furgey two, Furgey). Premier
REDDITCH volunteers are needed to promote and make a vital service more widely available. Caring people who enjoy meeting others and can spare two hours a week are encouraged to become a British Red Cross Home From Hospital volunteer. It provides short-term
A DINNER held at Redditch's Old Library Restaurant has raised much-needed cash for a cancer charity. The formal dinner, on May 15, was staged by NEW College in association with Macmillan Cancer Relief. About 60 guests attended in full evening dress and
NEEDLEMEN wrapped up the Worcester Friendly Skittle League Wednesday Division Three title with an 18-point over Leapers. WEDNESDAY DIVISION ONE Surfers 415 (14) M. Bates 44 Tower All Stars (6) I. Hill 44, D. Pitt 42, S. Cerrone 41, K. Ratcliffe 40; New
THE Tornadoes, Oddballs and Brewers VII managed maximum points in the opening fixtures of the St John's Sunday Skittle League. Top score of the day went to P. Wilde, (48), for the Brewers team who accounted for Spikes Heroes at the Mayflower. Spikes Heroes
DEAR EDITOR- I entirely endorse "Shoppers" letter (May 8) with regard to the new Safeway store in Bromsgrove. I would add to those criticisms the dreadful sound of pop music which is broadcast in the store these days. No music used in these circumstances
DEAR EDITOR - Once upon a time in Bromsgrove the pensioners had free bus passes then the greedy Conservative-controlled district council decided that they could not have them any more because they wanted to use the money for a bandstand, so they made
DEAR EDITOR - The Bromsgrove committee of the Leukaemia Research Fund wishes to thank all the collectors who kindly helped on May 4. Our thanks also to all the customers and staff of Asda who kindly donated to this charity. We collected £441.65. Yvonne
DEAR EDITOR - I was looking on the web site for the Advertiser/Messenger and came across an article entitled 'Fifty Years Ago - March 22, 1952' which mentioned a blood donation session that took place in Bromsgrove on that date which had 101 blood donors
DEAR EDITOR - Not wishing to be another to jump on the anti-council bandstand - sorry bandwagon - but it seems yet again, with all the Bank Holidays at this time of year, that we are left to fester in our own waste. Having moved from Coventry to Bromsgrove
DEAR EDITOR - We would like to thank Miss Pat Harrison, Mr Winnall and Mr Morse for all their hard work in St Nicholas's churchyard over the years. Mrs C Cottrell and Mrs M Sorenson, Chawson Road, Droitwich Spa.
DEAR EDITOR - I see that my fellow resident at Hill Top, Mr Baxter, is the latest of a series of your correspondents to castigate Bromsgrove District Council for the state of litter in Bromsgrove. Given that it appears to be the culture of a significant
OAKENSHAW speedster Enzo Mucci has launched a desperate bid to save another promising season going down the pan because of financial problems. The promising young driver had a miserable campaign last season after a promised drive in the British Touring
PRO-AM duos from two town clubs will be competing for a place in the Lombard Trophy final on the Algarve, on Friday. Representatives of the Abbey Golf Club, Bordesley, and Redditch will battle it out in the Midlands regional final at Enville Golf Club
CALLOW Hill biker Jason Wilshaw says he will be content with a couple of third places from Snetterton at the weekend to maintain his lead in the Classics Club Post Classics Series. The reigning champion has already amassed a 53 point lead over nearest
Butcher Boys star Pete Millard, on peg 18, triumphed in an Open contest on the CCS stretch of the Grand Union canal at Knowle. His catch included one bream of 1lb plus smaller fish for a total weight of 5lb 2oz. Second on peg 20 was Barry Blewett who
REDDITCH sharpshooter Stevan Walton is well on track to retain his place in the 2002 England Clay Pigeon Shooting team. Walton continued his commanding form by shooting a maximum 200 targets in the first round of the England team selection shoot. And
REDDITCH-based kickboxers CMA Freestyle enjoyed a successful outing at the National Superleague meeting in Birmingham. Julie Charlesworth won the Ladies +62kg title as well as coming second in the under 62kg at Stockland Green Leisure Centre. Drew Neal
A WELL-LOVED Charles Dickens classic, which has enthralled millions of adult and child readers, is coming to a Droitwich Spa theatre. Scrooge, based on the tale A Christmas Carol, was adapted by renowned writer, composer and lyricist Leslie Bricusse in
FREE hour-long 'bitesize' courses are being run at Redditch's cybercaf starting on Monday. The courses funded by Interact 21, range from reflexology to how to change a plug and will be held at the Knowledge Caf, Park House, Evesham Street until June 21
THE sweet sound of music will ring across a popular Bromsgrove Park when Churches Together hold their annual Songs of Praise service at the end of this month. Town residents are invited to sing their favourite hymns in Sanders Park, off Kidderminster
DAVID Birtwhistle wrote an interesting letter about his accumulation of council-issue black bin bags (You Say, May 14). On several occasions, I have seen two men in a council van. One man was driving the van at a snail's pace, while his mate - in the
Thursday, May 23 Bluegrass: The Chain Gang, Fiddle & Bone, Sheepcote Street, Birmingham, 8pm. Celtic: Tannahill Weavers, Huntingdon Hall, CrownGate, Worcester, 8pm. Friday, May 24 Music: Jaques Loussier Trio, Huntingdon Hall, Crowngate, Worcester,
PUPILS across Redditch were hitting the right note in aid of a good cause recently when they held a sponsored practice. Children at Walkwood, Woodfield and Ridgeway Middle Schools all took part and raised £500 for Sargent Cancer Care. All the pupils are
PAUL Griffiths (You Say, May 14) continues to maintain that the planned "regionalisation" of Britain has nothing to do with the EU - and is not being done by "stealth". He even says there isn't "a shred of evidence" to substantiate this claim. How wrong
A HOST of events took place across Redditch to mark the 10th National Adult Learner's Week last week. Redditch Lifelong Learning Network planned a timetable of taster sessions to promote and celebrate adult and community learning. Its aim was to encourage
I WAS sorry to see Maurice Brett has now stooped to insulting my intelligence (You Say, May 14). Until now I had held his ability to argue the case against hunting with some regard but this change in tactic is anything but impressive. Doubting the evidence
IMMIGRATION must always be a difficult subject to discuss without one's motives being misinterpreted or exploited by someone. But the decision to build centres for asylum seekers on four sites including Throckmorton as permanent facilities which will
A NEW information and advice service for young people has been launched. Connexions Redditch, based at Canon Newton House, is set to 'bring together all the information, advice and support young people aged 13-19 need'. A Redditch student was last week
HISTORY was brought to life for a group of enthusiastic young pupils from a Bromsgrove school who took a step back in time. Students from Parkside Middle School, in Stourbridge Road, were left enthralled by Tudor re-enactment group, History Matters, from
OVERFISHING is said to be endangering that great traditional British dish, cod and chips. Despite an often bewildering and wide range of delicacies on offer at most chippies these days, a recent survey revealed that three quarters of Midlanders regularly
A TALENTED town teenager showed off her creative flair to thousands of BBC viewers when her competition entry was displayed on a popular TV programme. Thirteen-year-old Lucy Brown, of Parkside Middle School, in Stourbridge Road, entered a Blue Peter competition
YOUNGSTERS from Sunday schools of all denominations in the district joined together for Bromsgrove's annual Adventure Day. Around 180 children took part in the event, which was organised by the Bromsgrove Anglican Group and held at St John's Middle School
AN elated mother-of-five was honoured with the title of Supermum 2002 in a competition organised by a Bromsgrove supermarket. Roberta Dos Santos, of Shepherds Hill, Droitwich Spa, was nominated by her 16-year-old daughter for the contest, run in conjunction
MAJOR operators are being sounded out over the possibility of providing Bromsgrove with a cinema. Councillor Dennis Norton (Con-Norton), the new leader of Bromsgrove District Council, has asked Peter Michael, the authority's economic development officer
SPORTS stars of the future could soon be sprinting out of a Rubery school which is on the brink of an exciting development. Colmers Farm High School wants to become a specialist sports college but it must raise £50,000 in sponsorship before it can make
A BROMSGROVE golfer has added to his reputation by winning the Worcestershire Amateur Golf Championship for the third time. Simon Braithwaite, who played professionally until two years ago, picked up his first victory in the event since 1997 at Blackwell
CHURCHGOERS in Bromsgrove are being given the chance to hear first-hand the rags-to-riches tale of a Christian businessman who, last year, handed over £5m to a charitable trust. This Sunday morning (May 26), NewSong Community Church, in Broad Street,
A MAN who raised hundreds of pounds for an annual good cause and who, it is said, lived for raising cash for charity has died suddenly, aged 37. In the run-up to the Royal British Legion's Poppy Day appeal every November, Tim Morris, who lived with his
A CONCERNED community group is calling on the district council to protect the Lickey Hills from the ever-expanding problem of mobile phone masts. The Lickey Hills Society is urging Bromsgrove District Council to question the need for a proposed application
ARTISTIC Spa youngsters put their talents to the test when they painted colourful masterpieces to enter into a town competition. More than 400 children from Chawson First School, in Wyche Road, put paint to paper and created a picture on the theme of
AN angry Spa mum has hit out at the town's high school after her son was sent home because of his hair cut. Teresa Ledbury, of Oakleigh Road, says it is "disgusting" that Droitwich Spa High, in Briar Mill, won't let her son Aaron Sankey back to school
THE town's public toilets could become "a haven for drug users" if plans to install used needle collection bins goes ahead, says a town councillor. John Cook (Lab - Droit. West) spoke out after it emerged Wychavon District Council, Turning Point and Worcestershire
A DRUNKEN Droitwich man rang the police after crashing his car on the way to visit his brother, Worcester magistrates heard. Spencer Craig, aged 21, admitted driving with excess alcohol, as well as driving without a licence or insurance, following the
AN Alcester youth group threatened by closure after an arson attack has been given a ray of hope, writes Helen Clarke. A building once used by Alcester Athletic Football Club was torched last Wednesday in the latest attack in a spate of suspicious fires
CCTV in and around High Street is forcing would-be troublemakers into Gashouse Lane, an Alcester resident has claimed. The resident, who does not want to be named, has now written to police asking them to do something about people gathering in the area
PEOPLE from all over Alcester gathered at the town hospital for an ever-popular annual event. The League of Friends of Alcester Hospital once again organised a May Fair to help raise funds for the vital facility. As well as helping a good cause, visitors
HEARTFELT tributes were paid to Councillor Wendy Weatherhead when she handed over the mayoral chain to Councillor Ron Leek. At the mayor-making ceremony during last week's town council meeting, councillors expressed their gratitude to Mrs Weatherhead,
THE new mayor of Alcester should have no problem fitting into his important rle as he is already a member of many town groups. Ron Leek has lived in Oversley Green for 41 years and has been married to Janet for 46 years. They have two adult sons. Mr Leek
AN attempt by the minority Labour group on Bromsgrove District Council to get their veteran leader Cllr Henry Webley installed as vice-chairman to mark the silver jubilee had failed. The holder of an MBE, he was the only member of the council to have
A MEETING of his creditors heard that Maurice Booth, aged 61, lessee of the Salters' Cinema and Diana Cafe in Droitwich had assets of only £110 to meet debts of £2,483. Mr Booth, of Fernhill Heath, had taken on the cinema's lease in 1948 for £30 a week
BRIGHTLY coloured shop signs springing up all along High Street are causing several town councillors to see red. Some councillors expressed their annoyance at a town council meeting that shopkeepers were putting up signs on the sides of their shop walls
YOUNGSTERS from Great Alne had a treat on Friday as TV funnyman Mark Williams paid them a visit. Mark, of The Fast Show fame, was at Great Alne Junior and Infant School to open a new building. The works include a library base, playground extension, state-of-the-art
THE Drawbridge Inn, Haslucks Green Road, Majors Green, was broken into by two men. The owner of the pub noticed the men breaking into his living room at about 3am on Thursday before they escaped, empty-handed, and he alerted the police. One of the men
BIRMINGHAM City Ladies are set to take part in two prestigious tournaments in the build up to their debut AXA FA Premier League. The Redditch United-based side will take part in the Umbro International Tournament in Manchester on Saturday, July 20 and
REDDITCH United Women's FC are looking for potential managers. The club want a management team to lead a new side in the Kidderminster and Worcestershire County League. Qualifications are not crucial for anyone wishing to join what is now the largest
