THE woman killed in an horrific head-on collision in a Worcestershire village has been named. Fifty-five-year-old Jean Cowell was pronounced dead from multiple injuries at the scene of the tragedy on the B4503 Leigh Sinton road on Monday afternoon. The
THERE are still a few places left on referees' courses later this month. An intensive two-day weekend course is being held on Saturday, August 31 and Sunday, September 1 followed by an exam on Friday, September 6. A women's course has also been arranged
A DAD struggling to cope with the death of his young daughter killed himself on the eve of Father's Day. Forty-year-old David Ash was found hanging from his loft by his brother, who was visiting with a present. At an inquest held yesterday, the Worcestershire
LOCAL residents and business people are being given the chance to have their say on plans to transform a riverside area in Worcester. Worcester City Council's cabinet agreed the draft development brief for the Copenhagen Street car park should go for
A MAN who plunged into a Worcestershire canal has died. The man, believed to be aged 60, fell from Lock 21 into the Birmingham-Worcester Canal at Stoke Prior, near Bromsgrove, yesterday. Worcester police were alerted to the incident at 2.30pm. "He was
BOAT-owners and holidaymakers are set to flock to Upton-upon-Severn for the town's annual Water Festival this weekend. Three days will be devoted to family fun with a carnival theme, including music, fireworks and street entertainment. There will be dozens
A TRADITIONAL English pub in the heart of the Worcestershire countryside is at the centre of controversy - over its national identity. The Walter de Cantelupe Inn is flying a Spanish flag, much to the disgust of patriotic villagers in Kempsey. Despite
PLANS to replace a bungalow in Colletts Green with five houses have been delayed so district councillors can look at the site for themselves. The outline scheme has drawn objections from villagers who say the development at 21, Bowling Green Road, will
THE grandfather of a toddler who was neglected by her parents has hit out at the "lenient" sentence they were given. The grandfather, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is appalled that the child's parents were only given six-month suspended sentences
MEMBERS of Worcester Twinning Association took to the streets to educate shoppers about the places the city is twinned with. The association has been flying the flag of friendship between Worcester and its twin towns of Kleve, in Germany, Le Vesinet,
A burglar, whose £37,000 haul included goods stolen from Herefordshire homes, has been jailed for five years at Worcester Crown Court. Antoni Hall targeted isolated rural properties, smashing windows to gain entry when the premises were unoccupied during
BROMSGROVE rockers Easy will be taking to the stage of a town pub this Saturday. Baz Lane and the guys will be headlining at The Merlin, in Stourbridge Road, - their first gig in Bromsgrove for some time. The show starts around 9pm, but lead guitarist
AN elderly man died from the effects of working with chemicals for more than 50 years. Industrial chemist Wilfred Rollason had been suffering from mesothelioma of the pleura when he died in Pershore Cottage Hospital on Saturday, June 29. Worcestershire
INTERNATIONALLY acclaimed Welsh male choir, the Morriston Orpheus, will be singing out in support of Acorns Children's Hospice when they make a special appearance at Worcester Cathedral this September. The choir has sung for royalty and played to audiences
A 28-year-old woman, with a history of depression, was found hanging from a bannister at her Worcester home. Karen Meadows was found dead on Saturday, August 17, hanging by her dressing gown cord. Worcestershire coroner Victor Round opened the inquest
AN inquest has been opened and adjourned into a Worcester man who died following a fall outside a city car park at the weekend. Worcestershire coroner Victor Round said that Dean Uzzell, aged 35, of Stanley Road, died of multiple injuries consistent with
MAY I express my outrage at yet another sensless act of vandalism committed on Saturday night, when a banner advertising the Astwood Bank Flower Show was torn down and defaced. This Royal British Legion event has been held annually since 1946, the profit
I AM in total agreement with the sentiments of last week's letter about the Grangers Lane/Rough Hill Drive development - why not look at brownfield sites? In stating my concern for wildlife, I would just like to add to what has already been said that
AFTER reading the Advertiser (August 7), I was appalled to hear the reaction from the Muslim community in Redditch. It seems they want something for free in this town. Why should the council inject money to their mosque when they refuse the terms and
HIS martial arts offering starts with a real bang, a superbly choreographed, visually breathtaking fight scene, but transcends into a tedious, unoriginal gore fest. Liu Jian, (Jet Li) is a Chinese intelligence officer who goes on assignment and becomes
A DRAFT Racial Equality Scheme has been given the thumbs up by Redditch Council's Executive committee in a bid to push out "covert and overt racism" in the town. The Race Relations Amendment Act (2000) was introduced after an inquiry was held into the
PEOPLE can soon investigate and monitor the way Redditch Council runs following the creation of a new scrutiny panel. The standards committee will work as a watchdog and members will meet up to four times a year to ensure the council is working properly
BROMSGROVE Rovers made it four points from six as they beat Bedworth United 1-0 at the Victoria Ground last night (Tuesday). In their first home game of the campaign, Gary Hackett and Jon Ford's side, who drew 1-1 at Racing Club Warwick last Saturday,
NICK Lawley signalled his intention to defend his Bromsgrove Football League golden boot title with two goals in Rovers Sunday's 6-1 win against Waseley United last weekend. Elsewhere in division one, Julian Workman also grabbed a brace for a strong Alvechuch
IT was nail-biting stuff at St George's Lane on Saturday but entirely fitting that City's most committed player grabbed the winning goal. Jon Holloway endured a mixed season during his first year at Worcester, never quite justifying the billing, but has
THE players were put through a video nasty on Monday morning to see how the weekend points were thrown away at Rushden and Diamonds. Boss Ian Britton wanted to give them a full picture of how their chances of victory went downhill at sunny Nene Park.
SUNNY Devon may be the destination but John Barton is in no holiday mood ahead of Worcester City's clash with Tiverton tonight (7.45). The St George's Lane manager is demanding his side display a ruthless streak and keep a clean sheet against a team he
FIELD archer Carol Ken-drick returned from a two-year absence to claim her seventh European gold at Dollar near Stirling. The Worcester archery expert also claimed a bronze, her best finish, in the World Championships which were held at the same time.
MARK Weaver's team from Kidderminster's Gilt Edge club featured in an amazing see-saw encounter in the opening round of the All-England Bowls Fours Championship at Worthing. Weaver and his club mates Ray Vickers, Chris Lane and John Reynolds made a storming
HEREFORD United climbed to equal top of the Nationwide Conference after a hard-fought 3-1 win last night over Forest Green Rovers at The Lawn. It was a memorable match for United's 21-year-old midfielder Danny Williams who scored his first-ever senior
BROMSGROVE Rovers made it four points from six as they beat Bedworth United 1-0 at the Victoria Ground in the Dr Martens Western Division last night'. In their first home game of the campaign, Gary Hackett and Jon Ford's side were ahead from the second
MALVERN Wizards have won Droitwich Rugby Club's 10s competition for the second season running. The new fitness regime imposed by new coach Andy Cushing was evident from the first match, as after a delayed start due to the non-appearance of Stourbridge
REDDITCH skipper Nev Mason has told his side one more win will banish any lingering relegation fears. After losing their early impetus, the Bromsgrove Road club decided to use the season to bed in some of their talented youngsters for next year. The policy
I WAS pleasantly surprised after stepping back to admire the musical talents of Mr Smith, as opposed to the most obvious talents he has physically. The 14-tracks on his latest album, mostly written by Will himself, engulf the listener as soon as track
HAVING enjoyed James Taylor in my school days the first time around, I was really looking forward to listening to this album. And I was not disappointed. Admittedly, there were no classics such as Fire and Rain and You've Got a Friend here and it doesn't
LOVE 'em or loathe 'em, the mullet-sporting maestros of "melodic rock" are back with their 10th official album following 1999 release Euphoria. Deaf Leopard, as the Sheffield band were originally titled, spawned rock anthems like Animal and Pour Some
BROMSGROVE CC First XI left it until the final ball of the game to complete the double over Birmingham division one basement side Bedworth last Saturday. Skipper Nick Husbands took the final wicket to give his side victory by 77 runs at St Godwald's Park
THEY left it late. Very late. But after a final over that will live long in the memory, Barnt Green CC First XI can look forward to the National Knockout final at Edgbaston. But the semi-final clash at Guisborough last Sunday didn't get off to the best
BARNT Green CC First XI are through to the National Knockout final for the first time in their history after a dramatic penultimate ball victory at Guisborough last Sunday. Green, who reached the semi-finals in 1976 and again in 1991, booked their place
CUTNALL Green's Neil Fletcher showed his class again last Sunday as he hit an unbeaten 141 in his side's 16-run defeat of Old Vigornians. With Green batting first, Fletcher and Matthew Harris put on a partnership of 150 in 25 overs while the last 15 overs
MORE than 1,000 people were treated to a feast of rugby at Droitwich Spa Rugby Club's fourth annual ten's tournament last Saturday. Sixteen teams, including a Fijian and Tongan side, took part in the 10-a-side competition, eventually won by Malvern. Teams
DEAR EDITOR - It is pleasing to note that at last there are people responding to the council plans affecting Droitwich. It would be nice if Edgar (the previous Town Crier) would pick up his bell and create even more public awareness. I am not sure what
DEAR EDITOR - I have been feeding the birds in Bromsgrove town centre for a number of years - and now one person comes along and drives them away with the pigeons. Why doesn't the local council let the people decide and have a vote on the matter? I used
DEAR EDITOR - I haved just attended my first meeting of the Droitwich Spa Town Council, as I was interested in what was to be decided about the proposed development of the Waitrose Supermarket, and what a revealing experience that was. Before I attended
DEAR EDITOR - I was delighted to read that Droitwich Spa Football Club is returning to play within the town. It does seem a shame that a town this size cannot boast a decent football ground and club to match. Nearby towns such as Stourport, Pershore and
DEAR EDITOR - Your new headlines should read 'Fiery Hell (Hill) death sentence of a community/or opening of a new chapter.' The proposed development at Fiery Hill Road, Barnt Green, could help solve a lot of problems for the local communities of Cofton
Conductor Andrew Nethsingha steered the Festival Chorus and the Philharmonia Orchestra through two of Handel's Coronation Anthems. The King Shall Reign began brightly with trumpets sounding, and Exceeding Glad Shall He Be had an easy lilt in the chorus
DEAR EDITOR - For decades the park home world has suffered from intolerably high levels of misrepresentation, extortion and intimidation. The two hundred and fifty thousand residents have been treated like second-class citizens. Mountains of evidence
The Philharmonia Orchestra had a tough task following Gant's highly successful premiere, but the very opening of the first symphony set the scene for an emotional and powerful performance which warranted the rapturous applause at the end. He began this
BROMSGROVE Corinthians U13s continued their pre-season warm-up with a 3-1 victory at Leafield Colts U13s. Andy Court opened the scoring for Bromsgrove before the hosts equalised before half time. Second half strikes from Scott Henbury and debutant Kirk
PEOPLE who enjoyed watching the hockey at the Commonwealth Games are invited to try it for themselves. Training takes place at Redditch Cricket, Hockey and Rugby Club astroturf, Bromsgrove Road on Wednesday evenings from 7-8.30pm. Qualified coaching is
TUESDAY'S Woodlands Views Affordable Open starts this week's events. Held on Arles Pool, Roger Finch (Dudley Bait and Tackle) topped a modest score sheet with a 42-0-0 catch taken with pole, corn and meat from peg 28. Chris Hill (Fosters MG) followed
Staff commitment and students' hard work paid dividends, leaving Arrow Vale Community Sports College to celebrate A-level successes. The pupils achieved an overall pass rate of 91 per cent, with 51 per cent at grade A-C level. The school gained an average
A REDDITCH 14-year-old, who is studying at a top American university, scored three straight As at A-level. Jonathan Pearson achieved the highest grades in physics, applied mathematics with mechanics and pure mathematics with statistics, as well as a C
NEW College will be hosting an open day to showcase the wide range of arts -based courses it offers. Among the courses will be a new course aimed at students looking for careers in the music or media industries. This will allow students to develop a wide
SOCCER star Cyrille Regis will take centre stage at a Bromsgrove church this Sunday. The former West Bromwich Albion and England ace will be making a guest appearance at the Newsong Community Church, as part of their summer programme of special Sundays
Thursday, August 22 Music: The Right Reverend Michael Marshall, Huntingdon Hall, Crown Gate, Worcester. Show: The Oxford Waits, Huntingdon Hall, Crown Gate, Worcester. Music: John Otway, Robin RnB Club 2, Merry Hill. Friday, August 23 Music: Donald Hunt
I WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree with John Hinton (You Say, August 5). It is about time we had some answers from Worcester City Council regarding the ownership of Pitchcroft. While we are on the subject of citizens' ownership, may I once again inquire of the whereabouts
THE letter from N Taylor (You Say, August 12) corrects my recent statement that Mr Blair was "elected on the votes of only 40 odd per cent of the voting population." The correspondent goes on to confirm my stated facts, which confused me a little! I then
MICHAEL Grundy's Memory Lane on Upton-on-Severn brought back memories of years ago. In my childhood, a trip to Tewkesbury, by steamer from Worcester, was a wonderful day out. At Upton-on-Severn the steamer had to either lower its funnel, or the bridge
WRVS volunteers were VIPs at an event held to officially open the newly-refurbished shop at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bromsgrove. The shop is run by members of the Women's Royal Voluntary Service and is open five days a week to serve hot drinks
A DATE has been set for the last ever service at an historic church in a Bromsgrove village. Worshippers will gather for final prayers at Blackwell Methodist Church on Sunday, September 1. The 120-year-old building has been hit by falling congregations
SHOPPERS in Rubery are being urged by police to think back to Saturday (Aug 17) morning following the attempted kidnap of a 13-year old girl. The teenager was out shopping with her mother and younger sister at around 10am when a man grabbed her from behind
BROMSGROVE police are appealing for information after two women had their handbags stolen as they were walking home. The pair had been out for the evening and were walking on Callow Bridge over the A38 in Rubery, at about 10.30pm on Wednesday, August
VILLAGERS in Blackwell have joined forces to protect land near their homes. Developers want to build 14 houses and a play area on a small woodland behind Tanglewood Close. The scheme includes the demolition of a house to create an access road to the proposed
DON'T think of an elephant in a tutu, life coach Ian Northcott told me. Which meant that I, as I'm sure you all would, immediately thought of an elephant in a tutu. This unusual request was part of an exercise I took part in to help achieve my life goals
A FIVE-YEAR-OLD girl was "lucky" to escape with superficial injuries when she was shot with a pellet gun while playing in a Bromsgrove street. Police are hunting a group of boys who are believed to have struck when the youngster was playing with her brother
The getaway driver for a gang which was carrying out distraction raids at county garages has been jailed for two years. Shaun Collins claimed he had been threatened by his two accomplices after they stole £2,130 worth of cigarettes from the Total garage
SUMMER holiday blues were banished thanks to staff at a popular local attraction who organised a whole host of activities. Face painting, story telling and a garden trail were just some of the events children took part in at a fun day at Hanbury Hall
A DISTRAUGHT Bromsgrove couple are seeking an explanation and an apology after their cherished wildlife garden was ruined by floods. Retired couple Mary and Simon Harrison, from Barley Mow Lane, Catshill, say that five years of work to establish an eco-system
EMOTIONS were running high at Droitwich Spa High School when anxious students collected their A-level results. Two years of hard work was finally over for the pupils at the Briar Mill school when they picked up the long-awaited results last Thursday.
A SPA artist is canvassing support by staging a display of his latest work. Artist Neiil Lowdon's work is on display at the Foal Yard Gallery in Bransford, near Worcester. The exhibition includes local and coastal landscapes which are painted in a variety
ANXIOUS Spa residents say that a planning meeting, which will decide the fate of the controversial Waitrose development, must be held in Droitwich Spa. The meeting is due to be held at the Wychavon District Council offices in Pershore at 2pm on Thursday
THREE men are being hunted by police after they attempted to steal a vehicle from the forecourt of a Spa garage. The three offenders, who are thought to be aged between 17 and their early 20s, were seen on the forecourt of Copcut Garage, in Worcester
IT may be the middle of summer but the Bidford Christmas Lights Gala Day is set to wow villagers next week. The annual gala will be held on Bank Holiday Monday, August 26, at Big Meadow, from 2-5pm and everyone is invited to join in the fun and games.
JOB done is the feeling that sums up Saturday's display against Hastings. At three o'clock on the opening day of the season everybody wants to chalk up those three points on the board and by five o'clock that is exactly how it panned out for City. It
A MUM told magistrates her separation from her husband had created "a big upheaval" which led to her sons' failure to regularly attend school in Redditch. The mother, who was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £25 costs at Droitwich
BIRMINGHAM City Ladies stars have been at the forefront of the England under 19s World Championship bid in Canada. Things started badly on Saturday with a 5-1 defeat to tournament favourites USA. Blues striker Katy Ward claimed England's consolation.
UNFORTUNATELY the scheduled speaker for the evening, Mr Sutton, had recently died. President Bob Simpkin stepped into the breach and entertained members with a wonderful slideshow on his recent holiday to South Africa. It proved an interesting evening
Friday, August 23 Blast from the Past Tribute Concert, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham. Tickets from 0121 683 8383. Information also available from www.birmingham.gov.uk Fred Zeppelin, Tylers Lock, London Lane, Tardebigge. Doors open at 8.30pm. Saturday,
By Becky Procter SPECIALLY trained police have been drafted in to interview children after several reports of a man acting suspiciously in Church Hill. Police have been speaking to residents about a number of incidents which have occurred since the middle
REDDITCH people joined the nation in its sorrow over the murders of 10 year olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman. Floral tributes were placed outside St Stephen's Church as people struggled to come to terms with the deaths of the youngsters, who disappeared
A PAKISTANI job applicant rejected for a senior post at a Redditch charity was racially discriminated against, an employment tribunal has ruled. The now defunct Redditch Council for Voluntary Services (RCVS) and its chairman, Robert Rainbow, were found
WORK is now under way on NEW College's £9 million redevelopment project. Students, residents and visitors to the town centre will soon be able to see progress on the new development, which is set to become a major addition to the regeneration of the area
A NEWLYWED couple are appealing for the return of their irreplaceable wedding photos which were stolen from the Abbey Hotel on Saturday, August 17. Trevor and Ann Frost, from Rednal, got married earlier that day and were celebrating at the hotel when
A PIONEERING £500,000 project to provide retail training to hundreds of townsfolk will be scrapped if another organisation steps in to run a popular skills centre, currently managed by Redditch Council. The Redi Centre, which receives £239,000 a year
A BEOLEY woman is on a mission to collect more than 500 pairs of knickers to send out to poor women in The Gambia. Active Women's Institute member Jacqui Gregory has already received almost 400 pairs of pants since she launched her appeal in March. The
A DISPUTE over the level of lighting needed for a new school crossing in Beoley has led to the £40,000 scheme being scrapped just days after installation work started. The zebra crossing was to be put in outside Beoley First School as part of Worcestershire
FOUR milk floats have been stolen from the Express Dairies depot in the past month, with three ending up in Arrow Valley Lake. The other float was crashed into a tree in Redditch and is a write-off. Express Dairies is now to install CCTV cameras at the
By Becky Procter A STRUCTUAL engineer has been called in to ensure land in Smallwood, earmarked for the creation of a £1.5 million mosque, can actually support the proposed building. It is just over a week before the final planning application for the
By Melina Cannon ABBEY Golf Club members raised £3,000 for a specialist piece of equipment which will help improve the quality of life for people with cerebral palsy. The "lifting stander", which is remote-controlled and hydraulically operated, is now
NEGOTIATIONS are finally taking place between Kingfisher Centre bosses and a Redditch bus company over the use of a major transport interchange, due to open in just a month. The news follows months of uncertainty as to whether Pete's Travel, which operates
RESIDENTS will have a blooming good time at Redditch Gardening Show on Saturday, September 7. And it's not just the green-fingered members of the town's gardening society who can enter their triumphs of nature - residents of all ages are also welcome
THREE Worcestershire companies have joined forces to find an ingenious solution to a problems caused during severe flooding at Upton-upon-Severn Marina. The floods of 2000 pushed the river so high that the marina's floating pontoons and jetties rose to
A BROMSGROVE company is growing so quickly it is filling its new premises as fast as it can build. Fuel Parts UK Ltd has been expanding rapidly in the past five years and is now one of the top three distributors in Britain of emission control products
By Becky Procter A STATE-of-the-art £100,000 scheme to help blind and partially sighted people find their way around the Kingfisher Centre will come on line in October. The Way Finder system will be launched at the same time as department store giant
SUNNY Devon may be the destination but John Barton is in no holiday mood ahead of Worcester City's clash with Tiverton tonight (7.45). The St George's Lane manager is demanding his side display a ruthless streak and keep a clean sheet against a team he
BOOKS of condolence for the families of dead schoolgirls Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells have been opened across the county. Organisations, including Droitwich Town Council, have responded to the tragedy in Cambridgeshire, which has touched the hearts
A "GENTLE" and "inspirational" clergyman who served across Worcestershire has died at the age of 92. The Rev Canon Noel Panter served a long ministry in the diocese of Worcester and took a great interest in his colleagues. "He was always so courteous
THE family of a Worcester youngster battling an unknown digestive condition are heading for their first holiday thanks to a city pub. Two-year-old Lauren Davis has barely been out of hospital in her life but, after a year of fund-raising by the Fox Inn
TWIN brothers were attacked in a flat where they had gone in the early hours after a pub birthday party, a jury heard. Violence blew up after Darren Wade repeatedly asked for a lift home. He ended up with a severed artery in his right arm which needed
A GROUP of youngsters playing "chicken" on a Worcester railway line were dicing with death, according to police. British Transport Police branded the game a "death waiting to happen" and revealed it took a train travelling at 100mph a mile and a quarter
A FORMULA 3 rising star has put his racing career in jeopardy after being convicted of drink-driving. Rob Austin admitted being "very embarrassed" after being banned from driving for 12 months at Worcester Magistrates Court yesterday. The Pershore 21-
A RUBERY rock band is hoping to hit the big time after taking the Birmingham music scene by storm. Datura have already headlined at Edwards Number Eight Nightclub, near the Birmingham Hippodrome and Scruffy Murphy's, in Dale End, and are now ready for
STEP back in time with music to span the centuries at a Bromsgrove museum this weekend. Visitors are set to flock to the Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings for the Magical Musical History Tour, which starts this Saturday and runs until Monday, August
THE memory of the late Freddie Mercury lives on when a killer tribute band comes to Bromsgrove this month. Killer Queen is promising townsfolk 'We Will Rock You' when they take to the stage at the Lickey End Social Club on Friday, August 30. The band
WORCESTER'S annual Victorian Christmas Fayre will run from November 27 to December 1 next year. The city council agreed to review the dates of the fayre and, after consulting groups including the Chamber of Commerce and the Worcester Tourism Association
AGE Concern Herefordshire & Worcestershire has a new mental health leaflet. The leaflet covers a whole range of mental health issues for older people and gives details of local and national organisations who may be of help. "We can offer free confidential
THOUSANDS of teenagers will end months of speculation when they collect their GCSE exam results from across Worcestershire schools tomorrow. More than 6,000 pupils are expected to attend around 40 exam centres to collect results. There is speculation
TWO terracotta window boxes and two picnic tables have been stolen from outside a Malvern pub. They were taken from The Express Inn, Quest Hills Road, on the night of Sunday, August 11 or the morning of Monday, August 12. Police believe a vehicle was
THERE has been justified concern expressed about the apparent complacency of the local police chief regarding levels of crime in Redditch and whether people feel safe because of it. In one respect at least, residents must take part of the responsibility
FOLLOWING the letter from Mr Pittaway, I would like to comment further. I agree Studley Park is a mess. Yes, they mow the grass, but they do nothing with the verges. Weeds grow furiously through the wooden fence so that both inside the park and along
Customers at the Tesco store, Coldfield Drive, may have noticed the relocation of the parent and child parking spaces to the far end, posing a serious safety risk when having to transport our children across a busy car park. Having been completely stunned
THE claim that proposed EU legislation governing blame for collisions between motorists and cyclists or pedestrians absolves the cyclist or pedestrian of guilt is wrong. And the claim that motorists' insurance premiums would rise by £50 as a result of
WE would like to thank Studley in Bloom Committee and all who helped for the brilliant job they have done this year. It just gets better every year. Well done, it is blooming lovely! All in Studley Church Choir
REDDITCH Council is injecting cash into a scheme to reduce the number of cold related deaths. Three years ago, there were an extra 2,500 winter deaths in Worcestershire, mainly from heart and respiratory conditions exacerbated by living in cold, poor
JAMES Dyson's late equaliser made him an instant hit with the huge band of Bromsgrove followers who travelled to Hampton Road for last Saturday's season opener to witness Rovers' return to the Dr Martens Western. One of ten new signings to arrive in the
MATCHDAYS at Bromsgrove Rovers will have a new sound to them this season as the team runs out to a new anthem. The Greens will now take to the Victoria Ground pitch with Thin Lizzy's The Boys Are Back In Town blasting from the public address system. The
THE tragedy that has engulfed the Cambridgeshire town of Soham has touched the hearts of the nation. Whatever the circumstances of the deaths of 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman - which, of course, it is for the courts to decide - towns and
NEW signing Alex Cowley dives in to win the ball in United's league opener against Taunton Town at the weekend. Substitute Andy Dodds came off the bench to give the hosts the lead on his debut but newly-promoted Taunton hit back to win 2-1 with goals
BROMSGROVE Hockey Club begins its preparations for the new season with a club day to welcome players. The club is opening up its Colmer's Farm pitch, in Great Park, Rubery, between noon and 4pm on Saturday, August 31 for existing and new players. During
RUSHDEN 3 HARRIERS 1 IAN Britton's Kidderminster Harriers were given an early reminder that it's what happens in the two penalty boxes during a game that really matters. Saturday's 3-1 defeat at rivals Rushden and Diamonds boiled down to problems with
REHEARSALS will soon be under way for Astwood Bank Operatic Society's next production, Lerner and Loewe's Brigadoon. The show, which runs at the Palace Theatre from March 4-8, will be a bit of a diversion for ABOS, whose repertoire is usually based on
HEREFORDSHIRE have won the Minor Counties Championship Western Division title for the first time after a dramatic final day of the season. They wrapped up a seven-wicket victory over Cornwall at Truro, but then faced an anxious two-hour wait before hearing
SLOPPY Stourport Swifts threw away a lead for the second successive match as visitors Sutton Coldfield Town won 2-1 on a miserable Tuesday night for home fans. The evening had promised plenty when Swifts' popular midfielder Simon Marsh was gifted a goal
DEFENDING champion Irene Wainwright went through to the quarter-finals of the singles on the second day of the City of Worcester Ladies Open Bowls Tournament at Cripplegate Park. The Chester Road player had a comfortable 21-15 win over G. Cliff (Hewell
ASTWOOD Bank stayed out of the Worcestershire One relegation zone by the slenderest of margins at the weekend despite a defeat to fourth placed Luctonians. Alex Robinson's side started the day one point ahead of relegation-threatened Chaddesley Corbett
WHERE do you look first? A three hour odyssey in the form of the best film ever made? A sneak preview of the extended DVD to be released before Christmas? An even more tempting glimpse of the much-anticipated Two Towers? After an agonising wait for what
SET in the middle of the Second World War, Enigma follows code breakers at the top British intelligence station, Bletchley Park. Dougray Scott stars as the super-intelligent mathematician Tom Jericho, who is brought in to the park to break new codes recently
FIVE Ways Old Edwardians lost the leadership of the Warwickshire League Division Four West after a losing draw to fourth placed Handsworth at the weekend. Chris Jones' side picked up just nine points from the match but with nearest rivals Bridge Trust
WYTHALL need to win their last two league games and hope title rivals Arden Forest slip up if they are to win promotion. With only one promotion place from Division Four Central of the Warwickshire League, the Silver Street side are running out of matches
GREAT Alne celebrated being crowned Cotswold League Division Five champions by beating Mickleton at the weekend. Captain Craig Millard urged his players to win in style for departed overseas star Daniel Criag who went home after the tragic death of his
MAN Utd ace Jimmy Davis is enjoying an eventful spell on loan to second division Swindon Town. The former Redditch schoolboy moved to the County Ground on loan on the eve of the season in a bid for first team football. First division Sheffield United
A SHOWCASE of young musical talent from Worcester will be held at All Saints Church on Deansway. A Feast of Music was first introduced at the 1999 fringe festival and is now back by popular demand. Groups taking part include Rock Schools Saxes, Alice
TWO celebrated conductors will be taking to the stage at the Three Choirs Festival today, despite 58 years age difference between them. Sir David Wilcox conducted the Three Choirs Festival from 1950 to 1957 and will be returning to conduct the Three Cathedral
ONE of the rising international stars of the classical music world will be performing at the Three Choirs Festival on a 250-year-old cello. Jamie Walton lists acquiring his Guadagnini cello, made in 1765, as one the pinnacles of his impressive career.
DROITWICH Spa CC First XI moved up to sixth in Worcestershire County League division one with a four-wicket home defeat of Ombersley last Saturday. Spa put the visitors into bat and immediately took control, mainly due to an explosive spell of bowling
CUTNALL Green CC kept up their challenge for second place in Worcestershire County League division five with a five-wicket win at Stone. Green are now two points behind Hanley Castle and Upton but are still 48 points behind league leaders Cape Hill Victoria
AVONCROFT CC First XI are all but out of the Worcestershire County League division four promotion race after putting on their worst performance of the season in crashing to a six-wicket defeat at Tenbury last Saturday. Croft never recovered from a poor
AVONCROFT CC's Sunday XI recorded a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Sandwell last weekend. A good all-round fielding display set up victory with Steve Beckett taking four wickets to help dismiss the visitors for just 129. In reply, sensible batting
DEAR EDITOR - A letter was printed on August 17 by John Horwood, the proprietor of Kennedy's and chairman of Rubery Business Association regarding the problem of rats in Rubery. I would like to correct one or two errors. His letter criticised Councillor
DEAR EDITOR - Thank you for your assistance in obtaining £500 worth of Wilkinson vouchers. On behalf of all the girls and Guiders in Droitwich I would like to thank Wilkinson Stores, and the Advertiser/Messenger, for their generosity. Already the donation
DEAR EDITOR - On behalf of the Rubery and Rednal Royal British Legion,regarding recent letters to the Advertiser/Messenger, including one from K Fair, J Ryan, K Palmer and Anon, they should realise there is a procedure for dealing with members' queries
BROMSGROVE Town U14s have been scoring goals for fun in the run to the defence of their Central Warwickshire League crown. Town followed up their 7-1 demolition of Meadow Park U14s with a 10-1 hammering of Redditch Utd U14s last Saturday. The club is
A JAMES Sheehy hat-trick helped Bromsgrove Athletic U14s beat Redditch United U14s 5-2. Playing with only ten men, Athletic were rewarded on seven minutes with Sheehy's first. Redditch equalised with a penalty on 18 minutes before Sheehy grabbed his second
Sat July 20 Halesowen Harriers (a) 3-1 Mulders, Stanier, Dobson Sat July 27 Boldmere St Michaels (a) 1-4 Giddings Mon July 29 Stourbridge (h) 3-2 Giddings, Stanier, Fletcher Thurs Aug 1 Rushall Olympic (h) 2-3 Bailey, A Nicholls Sat Aug 3 Telford United
BROMSGROVE Town U8s beat Callowbrook Swifts U8s in a 5-4 thriller. Swifts took the lead but Town replied twice through Sam Albrow. Both sides missed a penalty at 2-2 before Matthew White put the visitors ahead at the break and his hat-trick made it 4-
BARNT Green Spartak were left wondering how they failed to lose their opening game of the Midland Combination division two season following a 3-2 defeat at Littleton. The hosts were ahead on ten minutes with a well taken volley from eight yards out. GJ
FAIRFIELD Villa's first match on their home ground for three years ended with a 5-2 defeat to Stockingford AA last Saturday. Villa took the lead after 20 minutes through Wayne Davies and increased their lead five minutes from half time with a Dave Wrafter
GARRINGTONS Sunday enjoyed a dream start to the new Redditch and South Warwickshire league season with a 3-0 victory at HAD last Sunday. Luke Chance was first on the score sheet, winning the ball on the edge of the HAD penalty area before beating two
SUPERSTOCKS biker Andy Tinsley is determined to force his way back into the top five at Cadwell Park at the weekend after coming off at Thruxton. The Astwood Bank rider, who is enjoying a great season, tangled with another rider two laps into the Thruxton
JASON Wilshaw extended his Classics Club Post Classics Series lead to 84 points on a damp weekend at Croft. Under leaden skies, Wilshaw qualified 12th for the weekend's double points race and was happy after climbing the field to take the flag third behind
FORMULA 3 star Stefan Hodgetts wants a top ten finish in the next round at Snetterton after two 13th place finishes at Oulton Park. Hodgetts qualified 12th for the first race at the weekend and quickly climbed two places before the heavens opened. Despite
THE Birmingham Anglers Association has booked the following waters for this week. Saturday, August 24. River Avon at Marlcliff; Salford Priors; Parks Farm; Fladbury; Pershore RB; Mythe Farm; River Severn at Knowle Sands; Eardington; Quatford; Hampton
THE anxious wait is over for hundreds of students in Redditch following the announcement of this year's A-level results. There was plenty of celebration at Arrow Vale Community Sports College, St Augustine's High School, NEW College, Woodrush High School
Students at St Augustine's School are once again celebrating a bumper crop of exam results. This year's pupils, the first to take the new A2 examinations, gained an average point score of 20.67. The overall pass rate was more than 93 per cent and they
AT NEW College, students achieved an overall pass rate of 94 per cent. Results also showed pupils at the Peakman Street campus achieved a 100 per cent pass rate in over three-quarters of the subjects studied and 51 per cent A-C grades. Vice-principal
MORE people are being given the chance to complete free recreational courses at NEW College. The college is now running a full range of adult recreational and community education programmes, many of which are free or have reduced tuition fees for people
BIRMINGHAM Gardeners' Weekend, the perennial favourite, returns to Kings Heath Park on Saturday, August 31and Sunday, September 1, with everything for gardening fans. And you could be there too in another super Advertiser/Messenger competition in conjunction
THE latest version of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest stars some of the biggest names in the film world. Judi Dench, Colin Firth, Edward Fox and Rupert Everett are just a few of the big names who have helped to bring this classic play to
PEOPLE are becoming out of touch with the real world. Here are some examples. 1 Women who spend most of the time talking into their mobile phones, while trying to walk down the street. Are they aware of what is going around them? I feel many Worcester
OUR speaker on July 4 was John Boynton, who gave us a most interesting talk on the railways of Worcestershire with particular reference to the Birmingham to Gloucester line and the problems of the Lickey Incline. He described how originally, trains were
I'M afraid that I don't share D Margrett's enthusiasm (You Say, August 12) for Tony Blair's inspirational leadership. I wish that I did. Many of us no doubt raised a cheer after the 1997 election, expecting a shift back to social democracy. The long years
THE Bromsgrove and District Heartstart Group will welcome town MP Julie Kirkbride to their open day, which will be held at the Spadesbourne Suite, Burcot Lane, Bromsgrove, on Saturday, October 19. The open day is held annually at the Spadesbourne Suite
MOTORISTS watched in horror when a woman ignited into a human fireball at a Bromsgrove petrol station. The disturbing incident at the Esso Forest Service Station, in Birmingham Road, has left the woman with 50 per cent burns and her condition was yesterday
FOR hundreds of Bromsgrove teenagers the anxious wait is finally over. The A-level results are now out and students across the district have been celebrating some of the best results on record. There were smiles all round at Waseley Hills High School,
motorists who flout speed limits are being targeted in a new drive to slash the number of car smashes. Drivers will be informed of their speed in a flash thanks to six portable road safety monitors which have been bought by Worcestershire County Council
LIGHT footed over fifties are being urged to dust off their dancing shoes and step out in style at Rubery's Old Chapel. The venue, off Tessall Lane, hosts monthly tea dances and organisers want more residents to join in the fun. Around 20 people currently
HUNDREDS of energetic youngsters from a Rubery high school showed staff and spectators what they were made of in their annual sports day. Events at Waseley Hills High School, in School Road, included the 100m and 200m sprints, relay, three legged race
A THOUGHTFUL Rubery hairdresser has organised a day trip to Weston-Super-Mare for her elderly customers and also hopes to rake in cash for terminally ill children. Geraldine Galea, aged 42, runs the GG Salon, in Mr B's Market, New Road. She has planned
WORK is now well underway on a £10m development at Bromsgrove's latest business park - Buntsford Gate, which is expected to create 500 new jobs. Backed by the Royal Bank of Scotland, developer's Chase Midland has started work on the construction of Avon
A postman who hoarded undelivered mail in his bedroom has been jailed for four months at Worcester Crown Court. Jonathan Akers, aged 42, of Burcot Lane, Bromsgrove, became unable to cope with work due to a drink problem. He pleaded guilty to two charges
BROMSGROVE residents aged 50 and over are being offered cut price fitness deals during National Stroke Week, which runs from Sunday, September 29, to Saturday, October 5. Leisure chiefs at the district council have put together an inviting package to
FEARS are mounting in Stoke Prior for children as young as nine who will be forced to make a dangerous trek to school from September. Parents, worried by the fate of the two ten year-old girls in Soham, are horrified by Worcestershire County Council's
A BROMSGROVE woman, who was invited to tour prisons in Russia, has described her experience as "a real eye opener". Tricia Bradbury, who is chairperson for the board of visitors at HMP Blakenhurst, jetted off to Russia as part of a Home Office delegation
A GRASSROOTS crime-fighting organisation has been hit by police cuts. Neighbourhood Watch volunteers in Rubery are among those in the district struggling to keep residents informed about crime and police chiefs have been forced to admit that their support
DISAPPOINTED youngsters may have to wait until October to be able to use the town's new skate park after organisers hit problems insuring the ramps. The skateboarding ramps based at the adventure playground, in King George Playing Fields, were due to
A brave Spa man is gearing up for the adventure of a lifetime to raise money for a children's charity. Nick Ashford, of The Firs, will be travelling to Peru in October to take part in a 10 day trek to discover the lost world of the Incas. Now the 27-year-old
STEPHEN Tallet, 19, from Edwin Crescent, Charford, Bromsgrove, got a shock when he went to put on his shoes after enjoying a spot of sunbathing near Tardebigge reservoir. Feeling something with his toe he poked his hand in and out slithered an 18-inch
THERE was a sad ending to a full-scale operation to rescue a carthorse belonging to Mr Webb, who had got stuck in a water-filled ditch at Walmers Farm, Wychbold, during a violent thunder storm. After many hours of toil it was finally freed by firefighters
SOON after fears that Bromsgrove was heading for an outbreak of smallpox were proved to be unfounded, the prospect of a scarlet fever epidemic hitting the area loomed. Prior to the start of the month no cases had been reported but now there were between
By Matt Smith THE High Bailiff has apologised for making a "mistake" over the date for this year's Alcester Mop. The Chronicle reported last month how David Insull arranged for the mop's date to be changed from the first to the second Tuesday in October
WHAT gives the current High Bailiff the right to alter hundreds of years of tradition by moving the Mop Fair from the first Tuesday in October? When this happened last time, it was put down to a mistake in ''ordering'' the fair from Kimberley's but this
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after three masked men raided the Q8 Service Station on the A435 near Redditch, stealing money and cigarettes. The raid happened at about 10pm last Wednesday, when a masked man walked into the shop part of the petrol
ALCESTER'S Diana, Princess of Wales floral memorial, destroyed by a drink-driver, has been restored. The floral tribute outside St Nicholas Church to commemorate Diana's visit to the town in 1992, has been recreated, thanks to Alcester Rotary Club and
A 600lb halibut has ended up on the menu at an Alcester restaurant. The Rossini Restaurant, in Birmingham Road, received the fish on Thursday morning and it is now ready for the taste test. Caught off the Scottish coast, the huge fish was given first
By Matt Smith MEET the new pastor-teacher at Alcester Baptist Church. Alastair Aird, 55, is the 24th reverend at the church and joins after moving from Nottingham. The Rev Aird was born in Paisley, Scotland, and worked for Barclays Bank before taking
A LEADING business guru has paid homage to a Bidford-based web company. Sir Alan Sugar has recommended UK192 in his latest column in a national newspaper. UK192, based at Clay Hall Farm, Bickmarsh, has developed a web programme aimed at small and medium-sized
ALCESTER police are linking two thefts of hundreds of pounds-worth of gardening equipment. In the latest theft, a £200 petrol strimmer was taken from the trailer of a van parked at Billsley Manor Hotel between 11am and 2.30pm on Thursday. And between
ALCESTER's £1.5 million revamped Somerfield has been officially opened by the Mayor, Ron Leek, at a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The newlook High Street store, which has also created 30 jobs, reopened on Wednesday after a complete redecoration and expansion
PUPILS at Alcester Grammar School have made A-level history this year. Headteacher Iain Blaikie praised both staff and students for this year's staggering 99.6 per cent pass rate, which is two per cent higher than last year. "The new AS and A2 exams have
WITH last week's announcements of the A-level results, students who suddenly have to change their plans have help to call on. The Connexions-run On Course scheme is available, with personal advisers on hand to help teenagers in Warwickshire discuss their
THIEVES have stolen around 1,500 French partridge chicks from a poultry shed. The eight-week old birds were stolen from where they were being raised, at a farm in Dunnington, just outside Bidford, late on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning. Alcester
A TEARFUL Redditch mother, who appeared before magistrates because her son did not go to school, regularly told the court she had quit her job because she was on the verge of a breakdown. And Richard Jones, prosecuting, said the distraught mum claimed
BLOOD donors are needed at the Greig Hall , Kinwarton Road, today (Wednesday) from 2-3.45pm and 5-7.15pm. On Thursday, August, 29, blood donors can go to the Crawford Memorial Hall, Salford Road, Bidford-on-Avon from 2-3.45pm and 5-7.15pm.
A REDDITCH mum whose "lazy" son did not regularly go to school has been given a 12-month conditional discharge. The mum-of-four, who was also ordered to pay £25 costs, appeared before magistrates at Droitwich with her 15-year-old son last week. Prosecuting
AN estranged husband used a stungun to injure his new girlfriend and her friend, Worcester Crown Court was told. John Richards, had imported the weapon illegally from America. Neither woman was seriously hurt but they were badly shocked, said Lee Marklew
STUDLEY manager Mark Chambers was set to recall three of his stars after Saturday's 4-2 win over newly-promoted Causeway United. Winger Mark Neath and Vaughan Thomas are available and forgotten man Andy Grubb is nearing fitness. After an injury-hit campaign
LYE Meadow rivals Alvechurch and Kings Heath are set to lock horns in a meaty derby on bank holiday Monday. There is always a fierce rivalry between the tenants and landlords and both started their season winless at the weekend. Kings Heath went down
INKBERROW has clinched the runner-up spot in the larger villages category of the Worcestershire Best Kept Village competition. The competition was organised by the county branch of the Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE). Belbroughton was
A LATE Jubilee party took place at the August meeting. The hall and tables were decorated by the committee and members arrived wearing red, white and blue. A competition for best hat was judged by Mrs Mary Glaze and the winners were Brenda Owen, Ann Berry
STUDLEY CC skipper Mark Lewis has set his side the target of two wins from their weekend double-header to put the championship in sight. The weekend win over Highway kept the Washford Fields side top of Division Two East by 13 points from nearest rivals
A 17-YEAR-OLD golf champion from Droitwich Spa is preparing to take on the best of British next week as he bids to become the country's top club golfer. Tom Hollis, reigning club champion at Droitwich Spa Golf Club, in Ford Lane, journeys to Woodhall
BROMSGROVE Golf Club is hoping to build an extension to its driving range to house state of the art coaching apparatus. The Stratford Road club wants to introduce hi-tec computer equipment to help both youngsters and adults in one-to-one tuition. A planning
BROMSGROVE Olympique cycling club riders will have to wait for the results of their latest races following a times fiasco in Manchester last weekend. The top event in the British youth calendar, the Manchester International Youth Tour, was marred on several
By Melina Cannon A REAL feast for eyes and ears is promised at Ragley Hall next week when the Last Night of the Jubilee Proms takes place at Ragley Hall. Performing Arts Symphony Orchestra will be playing a selection of music associated with the Queen
TRIBUTE band Fred Zeppelin will be rocking Tyler's Lock this week prior to a gig at Redditch's Hewell Road Social Club next month. The four-strong band are real fans who formed The Freds out of their admiration and love of Led Zep's music. They are keen
BUSES will replace trains between Birmingham New Street and Redditch on Saturday while engineering work takes place. Some buses will run to Redditch via Kings Norton only while others will call at all stations. Railtrack is carrying out the work between
THE 1st Redditch Scout Group is moving to a new home in Greenlands after being based in Grove Street in the town centre since the 1920s. It will move to a vacant building in Oakenshaw Road and will have its first meeting on Monday, September 9. Any boys
SOME Redditch youngsters are to hold a charity day on Saturday to help raise money for the Primrose Hospice. Three young cousins from Abbeydale and Lakeside decided to hold a fun day and disco at Abbeydale Community Centre, Gibbs Road, to boost funds
POLICE in Redditch are appealing for witnesses after a man suffered chest injuries in a road crash near Wythall. The accident happened in in Grimpits Lane, Walkers Heath, at about 10.50pm on Wednesday, August 14, and involved a blue coloured Volvo S40
By Melina Cannon REDDITCH and Worcester YMCAs have formed an alliance to increase the number of people who benefit from their services. Both will continue to operate as separate charities but will work together under the banner of the Worcestershire YMCAs
A NEW company hopes to cash in on consumers' desire for home delivery - and support local producers at the same time. Bredon Foods Direct is a home delivery service sourcing products from specialist producers throughout the two counties. Owners Mike Andrews
A FRIDAY evening sewing class for young women has proved such a success it is to be extended to include cooking, keep fit, health and beauty. The sewing group, aimed at 16-24 year-olds, has been funded by Worcestershire County Council and supported by
A GROUP of young people, with a mutual interest in archaeology, is setting off on a week-long dig this month. The 16-24 year-olds got together after meeting at an archaeological dig in Wyre Piddle in August last year. They enjoyed it so much they set
THE circus came to Redditch this week as managers from the new Debenhams store entertained the crowds as part of a team-building day. There were people dressed as circus animals and performers, stunning fire-eating displays, balloon modelling and children's
A PIONEERING campaign to attract more ethnic minority groups to a career in the fire service will begin with an awareness day next month. It is the first time Redditch fire station has hosted such an event aimed at the town's ethnic minority population
A PUBLIC payphone is to be removed from Alvechurch because it is under used. BT has identified seven payphones it wants to remove within the Bromsgrove district as part of an ongoing review of the public payphone network. The Withybed Lane payphone is
THERE has been a rich vein of goodies on stage at Malvern's Festival Theatre in the past week or so. Currently on stage, until Saturday, is Damsels in Distress - three new comedies written and directed by Alan Ayckbourn. The trilogy - Game Plan, Flat
