Archive
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Hospital shamed on TV
AN expos of Worcestershire Royal Hospital revealing an "appalling standard of cleanliness" is due to be screened tonight. Undercover reporters for the BBC claim they found "unacceptable hygiene levels", including soiled dressings and medication hidden
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Transformation of historical mill
WORK is set to start on a multi-million pound residential development in Diglis, Worcester. Albion Mill, which formed part of the Royal Worcester Porcelain works site, is being converted into apartments at a cost of £12m. Development of the Georgian mill
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Workshop takes pupils back to 1940s
Pupils at Warndon Junior School, Worcester, enjoyed a hands-on workshop as they learnt how their counterparts during the Second World War played, ate and even washed. Faye Little, from Worcestershire County Museum, in Hartlebury, visited the Edgeworth
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Footpath to be repaired
WYCHAVON ramblers can now put their best foot forward thanks to grants totalling £35,000. A footpath from Hampton Ferry to Corporation Meadow, in Evesham, is set to be repaired after it eroded from flooding. The path will be raised and a new drainage
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Drug user died from embolism
A HEROIN user who collapsed immediately after injecting himself with the drug, died hours later of an unrelated illness, an inquest has heard. Twenty-seven-year-old Justin Carswell, a warehouse supervisor from Farmers Close, Droitwich, died after suffering
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Depressed man drove to station, waited for the train, then jumped in front of it
A 28-year-old man had to be identified by fingerprints after throwing himself in front of a train, an inquest has heard. Jugvinder Malhi moved out of his home in Lister Road, Kidderminster, a week before the incident following an argument with his wife
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Harvesting chance to learn
PUPILS ploughed a path to their local church for a traditional harvest festival. Youngsters from Hallow C of E Primary School, Hallow, Worcester, helped write the service at St Phillip's and St James' church, which was held last Thursday morning. The
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Making tracks to identify pathways
THE naming of pathways and cycle tracks in St Peter's, Worcester, should be completed by March, next year. Around a third of the naming process has already taken place, which has cost St Peter's Parish council around £3,000. The parish will be spending
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Star singer
COUNTRY music and football fans alike will marvel at a Droitwich Spa show this weekend. The Dick Edwards Trio has been invited to play for the End of the Trail Country Music Club at the Royal British Legion Club this Saturday night. Some residents may
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Time Enough to entertain local jazz fans
BROMSGROVE'S premier live music venue, the Hop Pole Inn, has another action-packed programme, starting tonight (Wednesday). Popular jazz act Time Enough are set to take to the stage of the Birmingham Road pub tonight from around 8pm, while talented town
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BUILDING: The face of The Faithful City is undergoing a transformation
EXPERTS are predicting Worcester's next generation of residential properties will create a "boom time" for the city. Multi-million pound developments have helped drive Worcester among the top six investment hotspots in Britain. Exciting projects, including
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8/10/03 - Bees tie in store for the Warriors
WORCESTER Rugby Club could be set for a sixth round clash with Pertemps Bees in the Powergen Cup. The two Midland sides, who occupy the top two places in National One, have been potentially drawn together for a sixth round match on November 15. The Sixways
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Daylight raid on mail van
THIEVES staged a daylight raid in the centre of Worcester yesterday, making off with valuable post from a Royal Mail van. The unattended van, parked outside Superdrug in the High Street, had its lock drilled by the gang between 10.20am and 10.37am yesterday
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08/10/03 - New striker joins Rovers
BROMSGROVE Rovers have finally ended their striker quest by bringing in Michael Swan from Hednesford Town. Weeks of searching by manager George Rooney was rewarded when Swan switched from the Dr Martens Premier side, beaten in the FA Cup by Rovers last
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Witness plea over flasher
POLICE are hunting a man who indecently exposed himself in view of a young girl on Rough Hill Drive. It happened between 4-4.15pm on Friday as the 12-year-old girl walked home from school. The man was indecently exposing himself on a pathway. The girl
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Alert on workers
REDDITCH people are being warned by police to be on their guard against an aggressive group of workers targeting the area. The group is believed to be using the M5 motorway to access homes and businesses across the region. A man is calling at the door
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Town hit for seven
BROMSGROVE Hockey Club Mens First XI slumped to a 7-2 home defeat against Stone in their opening game of the season. Julian Court's side stayed in the West Midlands division one game until midway through the second half when Stone pulled away from them
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Home glory
BROMSGROVE Hockey Club Ladies Seconds XI got their Worcestershire League division two season off to a winning start with a 2-1 home victory over Bournville last Saturday. Traditionally strong opposition, Bournville were sluggish to begin with and Bromsgrove
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Win to start
DROITWICH Spa Hockey Club Ladies Second XI began their new season with a comfortable 3-0 win against Cresconians. Pat Hine opened the scoring early on, jabbing the ball home from close range. Spa dominated the game and had several chances to add to the
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Binge drinkers need to grow up
A MAN threatening passers-by with a knife, a fight at a taxi rank and numerous instances of verbal abuse were just some of the eye-openers for Worcester Mayor, Coun Gareth Jones, on a night out with the police in the Faithful City. Coun Jones' shock at
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First win of the season for ace who nearly quit
POWERBIKE ace Andy Burbidge admitted he nearly quit racing altogether after "things weren't going well" but held on and claimed his first win of the season on Saturday, writes Matt Smith. The Winyates Green ace said after a friend died in a freak warm
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Council to meet public
RESIDENTS with an axe to grind about Bromsgrove Council will have the chance to speak face-to-face with councillors and officers at the next spotlight meeting. People in Wythall, Alvechurch, Beoley and Tardebigge are all being urged to attend the spotlight
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Still eight bad
FECKENHAM'S amazing eight straight wins came to an abrupt end on the weekend after being thumped 4-1 by Dudley Sports. Dudley stunned the Millers with two quick goals before Stuart Douglas got a goal back for the visitors before half time. And Lee Adams
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Horse in road
A HORSE was found running loose near the Coventry Highway last week. The animal, a female no more than five years old, was spotted on the road from the Oast House pub to McDonalds last Wednesday. Police were alerted at about 3.30am and the horse was eventually
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Reaching out to residents
THE biggest consultation exercise the town's Labour party has ever done has been launched to gather residents' views on how the council is run. Reach Out to Redditch aims to find out what people feel the council ought to be doing, what it is doing right
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Revival just a whisker away
TUESDAY sees the long-awaited arrival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's CATS at Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre for a limited season. Based on 14 poems of TS Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, the show is the most successful and longest running musical
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Could your voice be Robin's dream?
A REDDITCH musician is looking for a vocalist to help him fulfil his ambitions. Robin Day, 33, started playing the keyboards at the age of eight and has been writing music since childhood. He has been in several bands and studied music at college in Hereford
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Savour flavour of show with extra
AS part of celebrations for Black History Month, the Palace Theatre hosts the award-winning Love and Marriage and New York City on Friday and Saturday. Described as 'funny, moving, romantic and endearing', the show tells the tale of four Jamaicans searching
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Alex nets Butterfly
A JAPANESE water garden, waterfalls and aquariums filled with fish are among the attractions when Puccini's popular opera Madama Butterfly is staged at Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre on Friday and Saturday. The traditional production, sung in Italian
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A starry, starry new play
THE award-winning Vincent In Brixton comes to Warwick Arts Centre as part of The National Theatre's UK tour from Monday. Based on the true events of Vincent van Gogh's early life in London, the play stars acclaimed actress Clare Higgins as Vincent's landlady
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Fixtures
Saturday, October 11 FOOTBALL FA Cup Third Qualifying Round - Congleton Town v Bromsgrove Rovers (3pm). Midland Football Combination Division One - Fairfield Villa v Cadbury Athletic; Polesworth NW v Barnt Green Spartak (2.45pm). Division Two - Droitwich
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Captain is guest
WORCESTERSHIRE County Cricket Club captain Ben Smith will be the guest at the Worcestershire Cricket Society's first winter evening. The event takes place at Worcestershire's New Road ground, in Worcester, on Tuesday, October 14 from 7.30pm. Entry is
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8/10/03 Big Harriers cup tie secured
SWIFTS 3, STUDLEY 2 STOURPORT Swifts can look forward to a trip to Division Three neighbours Kidderminster Harriers in the Worcestershire Senior Cup second round after clinching a last-gasp 3-2 win over Studley. And it was striker James Wood who was the
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8/10/03 - Latest league results
SKITTLES: Latest results in the E & E Engineering Worcester Friendly Skittle League Wednesday divisions: Division One New Castings 446 (2) R. Gallagher 47, J.P.Carey 45, L.Carey 40, New Raiders 483 (18) D.Richings 51, C.Ford, J.Rushton 47, C.Blincoe
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Bees tie in store for the Warriors
WORCESTER Rugby Club could be set for a sixth round clash with Pertemps Bees in the Powergen Cup. The two Midland sides, who occupy the top two places in National One, have been potentially drawn together for a sixth round match on November 15. The Sixways
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Adshead on the move
WICKETKEEPER Steve Adshead, who made a handful of appearances for Worcestershire last season, is poised to revive his county career with Gloucestershire. The 24-year-old from Redditch was drafted in on a temporary basis by the County when Steve Rhodes
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Swifts book cup trip to Harriers
STOURPORT Swifts can look forward to a trip to their Division Three neighbours Kidderminster Harriers in the second round of the Worcestershire Senior Cup after a last-gasp 3-2 win over Studley at Walshes Meadow last night. And it was striker James Wood
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Heatley on fire to win at Moreton
WORCESTER Triathlon Club member Ruth Heatley scored an excellent victory in the ladies' section of the Moreton-in-Marsh Duathlon. Heatley had a very solid race to win by over 15 minutes in a time of one hour 31 minutes 20 seconds to put her in the top
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Canoe success for James
JAMES Train is proving a chip off the old block after representing Britain in the marathon canoeing world championships in Spain. The Pershore High School pupil, ranked number one for his U18 age group in Britain, has canoeing in the blood. Dad Steve
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Saints juniors shine on the track
Worcester St. Johns Cycling Club junior section has had considerable success in the season-long Halesowen track league held on a 440 metre velodrome. The weekly fields of 20 or more U12s were dominated by Halesowen, Bromsgrove and Solihull clubs but four
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Four tries see off Spa
DROITWICH Spa RFC First XV lost their second game in succession with a 23-19 defeat at Old Coventrians. Julian Bailey's side, beaten 24-18 by Leamington last week, conceded four tries last Saturday and trailed 18-3 at one stage as they let a larger home
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Birch return on
MATT Birch could be back in the Bromsgrove RFC First XV line-up this weekend if he comes through training unscathed. Birch, out of action since being crushed between two lorries at work last month, will be tested in the contact arena to see how he stands
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Junior rugby round-up
Nuneaton RFC U9s 5 Bromsgrove RFC U9s 15 Chris Cornelissen went over for the first points and he took a Jake Hudson pass to register his second. Nuneaton scored in the second half after Bromsgrove's defence finally gave way. Cornelissen then took off
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Dave Wilkinson
Assistant coach
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Dave Clark
First XV captain
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New striker joins Rovers
BROMSGROVE Rovers have finally ended their striker quest by bringing in Michael Swan from Hednesford Town. Weeks of searching by manager George Rooney was rewarded when Swan switched from the Dr Martens Premier side, beaten in the FA Cup by Rovers last
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Villa boss quits
CLIFF Hughes has resigned as manager of Fairfield Villa after 14 years at the helm. Hughes, formerly a player at the Recreation Ground for ten years, called time on his post last Monday following a holiday in America. He had thought about resigning before
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Spartak complete double
BARNT Green Spartak completed the double over Midland Combination division one title favourites Knowle with a 3-1 success. Spartak, 2-1 winners at Knowle three weeks ago, got off to the worst possible start against last season's division two champions
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Sunday scores
ADVERTISER/Messenger Football League results for Sunday, October 5. Division One Meadow Park 0 Victoria Barnt Green 0. Division Two Wychbold 1 Barley Mow 0; Rubery RBL v Victoria Athletic - postponed as Victoria Athletic failed to turn up. Division Three
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Combination results
LATEST results from the CentRal Sports Redditch and South Warkwickshire Combination. Central Sports Terry Cup First Round Sherwood Rangers 11 (O'Sullivan, Brown, Clements, Beard, Hurst, Burling, D Brown) Portway Celtic 1 (Dauphin). Premier Division Thorn
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Angling round-up
GOOD weights taken last Tuesday at the Northfield Starlets Veterans event at Greenhill Fishery near Hallow. Bewdley's Derek Buckle pole fished meat over corn at Old pool peg two to net an impressive catch of 105-14-0. Billy Wright (Northfield) waggler
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08/10/03 - Colts start with a victory
BROMSGROVE RFC Colts started their season with a 48-15 home victory over Luctonians Colts. Three Bromsgrove players turned out for the opposition, short on personnel, and one such player, Seymour, sprinted over for the visitors' first try. The conversion
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Greys will show they are not over-the-hill . .
DEAR EDITOR -- Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary David Willetts' assertion that people should have more children to counter an ageing population raises some interesting issues but I am afraid he has missed the point. The ageing population is not to be
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Hunting facts have changed
DEAR EDITOR -- Miss Robinson's (RSPCA) letter (September 24) unfortunately continued the highly selective information from the RSPCA in respect of hunting with dogs. Polling used to consistently show a majority supporting a ban on hunting but it has not
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Efficient use of resources
DEAR EDITOR -- I note that a Chief Constable of a neighbouring police force is calling on the public to use their citizen's power of arrest to catch criminals, in otder to assist the police with their minimal resources. I trust that his counterpart who
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Failing to represent us
DEAR EDITOR -- I am appalled by the latest actions of our council leader, Dennis Norton. The suspension of Councillors Doyle, Psirides and Lammie, for doing nothing more than standing up on behalf of the residents of the area, is an atrocity that cannot
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Democracy is disappearing
DEAR EDITOR -- I thought councillors were elected by the public to represent the public on all matters, not when best suited to certain members of Bromsgrove District Council. How will I be able to voice my opinions now? Were the two opinion polls done
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Stourport Swifts FC - Fixtures and results - 2003/04
Pre-season friendlies Sat July 19 Bromyard (a) 7-1 Ball 3, Robinson, Giddings, A Wright, Wood. Wed July 23 Studley (h) 1-3 Ball Tues July 29 Westfields (h) 1-1 Wood Sat Aug 2 Bilston (a) 6-1 Ball 4, Sayer, Wood Tues Aug 5 Stourbridge (h) 4-1 Robinson
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8/10/03 - Adshead on the move
WICKETKEEPER Steve Adshead, who made a handful of appearances for Worcestershire last season, is poised to revive his county career with Gloucestershire. The 24-year-old from Redditch was drafted in on a temporary basis by the County when Steve Rhodes
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7/10/03 - Moore and Shaftab sign new deals
STEPHEN Moore and Shaftab Khalid, who both made their first-team debuts for Worcestershire County Cricket Club last season, have agreed two-year contracts. Batsman Moore made his County Championship bow against Glamorgan at Cardiff and also impressed
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Top spot joy for the Kings
KINGS Norton went top of North Midlands One after an emphatic victory over Cleobury Mortimer. Cleobury - making their first ever visit to Ash Lane - were simply outclassed by Kings Norton who made six squad changes to last week's win over Woodrush. But
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It's easy for Exiles
Berkswell & Balsall Vets 7 Redditch Exiles 42 REDDITCH Exiles ran out easy winners despite the referee not turning up and the veterans starting with an extra player. A touchline ref took control of the whistle and the Exiles took control of the game
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George Rooney
Manager
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Doug Griffiths
Assistant manager
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Steve Pope
Defender and captain
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Tom Nelson
Defender
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Marcus Jackson
Midfield
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Chris Dawson
Midfield
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Richard Tomkins
Midfield
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James Hill
Midfield
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Peter Sutton
Striker
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Sam Bowen
Striker
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First exhibition
BUDDING Burcot artists have been getting busy with their brushes ready for the first public exhibition of their work. Members of the Burcot Art Club will be showing off their work at Droitwich Spa Library from next Tuesday to Friday, November 7. Creative
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What's on guide
Wednesday, October 8 Film: Girls Can't Swim, Cinemac, mac, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, 6pm. Tribute: A Kind of Queen, Alexandra Theatre, Station Road, Birmingham, 7.30pm. Comedy: An Audience with Mrs Barbara Nice, mac, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham,
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Liberals... adept at being all things to all men
THE letter from Paul Keetch claiming to be a party of opposition was almost identical to the one he sent in after his conference last year. The Liberals are very good at repeating their message even if it bears no relation to the truth. What he failed
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They showed no mercy
FOR a long time now, I have believed that speed traps, such as the one in City Walls Road, Worcester, are purely used as a "revenue earner". Drivers, knowing that cameras and traps are being used, concentrate more on their speedometers to keep within
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Conservative Ladies Luncheon Club
After the long summer break, a happy group of ladies were pleased to see each other again to enjoy an appetising lunch and to hear an entertaining speaker. Chairman Betty Long welcomed the 23 members and guests and Mrs F R Catley said grace. The lunch
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Every picture tells a story
FUN loving Finstall tots dressed up as their favourite literary characters to celebrate National Book Week. Youngsters at Finstall First School enjoyed a week of reading-related activities, which culminated last Friday with all the pupils dressing up
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Read anything good lately?
TWO town mums have been rewarded for their efforts to help youngsters improve their reading. Debbie Lippett and Tricia Clark attended a gala prize-giving ceremony at County Hall in Worcester where they were presented with certificates which recognised
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Close to nature
COLLECTING conkers and spotting squirrels were just some of fun activities enjoyed by tots on a trip to the Lickey Hills. Thirteen toddlers from the Home Farm Day Nursery in Birmingham Road wrapped up in warm togs for a guided tour of the Lickey Hills
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Harvest festival
TOTS at a Bromsgrove school have been using their loaf by collecting food for a good cause. Pupils at the Mount School in Birmingham Road held their annual harvest festival last Friday morning. In the run-up to the festival, youngsters brought in a wide
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Anita's a natural artist
RURAL scenes around Bromsgrove helped give a talented Lickey End artist ideas for a display of her work, which is now delighting visitors to the town's library. Entitled Inspired by Nature, Anita Stevens's exhibition is set to run at the library in Stratford
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Lessons in road safety
LOOKING right, left and right again, when crossing the road, was the vital safety information given to tots at a Bromsgrove school. John Dakin, Worcestershire County Council's area road safety officer gave a talk to the reception class at St Peter's First
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Bonfire Night clampdown
POLICE in Bromsgrove are launching a new scheme to ensure everyone's Bonfire Night goes with a bang. They are launching Operation Ghost to crack down on anti-social behaviour over the next six weeks, to coincide with Halloween and the Bonfire Night celebrations
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Perv's honour withdrawn
SEX OFFENDER Keith Rogers' offer of honorary membership to the Westlands Community Association has been withdrawn. Secretary, Tony Thompson said last night: "We would like to make clear that the association certainly do not condone his actions and would
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Mixed fortunes for firefighters
TWO firefighters from Bromsgrove have returned from competition in Italy with mixed fortunes. Phil Blacker and Warren King, who both work at Bromsgrove fire station, were part of a nine-man Great Britain team at the Firefighter World Cycling Championships
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Head slams truant fines
GOVERNMENT plans to charge parents of truanting children on-the-spot fines received a panning from a Droitwich headteacher. Headteachers, council officers or police could hand out fixed penalty notices from £25 to £100 if they catch children out of class
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A healthy dose of cash savings
PATIENTS in the area are contributing to the waste of £500,000-worth of NHS resources by ordering medicines and then not taking them. That's the amount people in Bromsgrove and Redditch waste in a single year on unwanted medicines and which could be spent
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Brownies get a soaking
YOUNG swimmers dived in at the deep end to take part in an exciting swimming gala. Members from the Rainbows, Brownies and Guides from all across the town invaded the Droitwich Spa Leisure Centre, in Briar Mill, for the fun-fuelled event on Saturday,
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Rape victim wanted to die
A THIRTY-nine-year-old woman has told a jury how she wanted to die after being raped by the principal of a Bromsgrove children's home. She alleged that Brian Gillam pushed her into a bathroom at The Uplands, grabbed her around the throat and then forced
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Fury as parents block cycle path
A COUNCILLOR has branded a new Safer Routes to School scheme non-sense. Parents parking on the newly painted Ombersley Road cycle track while they pick-up kids from St Joseph's Primary and Westacre Middle schools, left Councillor Kate Spencer (Con-East
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The hunt for red October
THE Woodland Trust, the UK's leading woodland conservation charity, is predicting an exceptional autumn of russet browns, reds and golds. Trust scientists say the combination of dry sunny days and cool dry nights should bring out the great variety of
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Council to foot lido repair bill
A SPA pressure group is delighted that plans for the Lido are finally taking a step forward. Publicity officer for Save Our Lido Today, (SALT) Peter Regan, is pleased that Wychavon District Council is moving closer to reopening the outdoor pool, off Worcester
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DVD City of God (18)
DUBBED 'the Brazilian Goodfellas' City of God follows a young boy called Rocket as he tells his story about the gang-infested slums of Rio de Janeiro. The insight is chilling from the first scene where gun-toting pre-teen gangsters are seen chasing a
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What a pear
BUDDING young actors were in their element when they performed a play in front of parents and staff to celebrate the harvest festival. Enthusiastic pupils from Tibberton First School, in Plough Road, put on a spellbinding performance of The King's Bath
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Music Last Night of the Autumn Proms
Symphony Hall BEFORE Sunday evening I had never been to a concert at the Symphony Hall as I didn't really think it would be my cup of tea, but how wrong I was. I was awe struck the moment I walked through the doors, the atmosphere was electric even before
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CD Dido Life For Rent
CRITICS must have been waiting with bated breath for Dido's follow up album to the hugely successful No Angel. Could she deliver the goods the second time around, cementing her position as the fantastic female talent that spawned songs like Thankyou and
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CD Rachel Stevens Funky Dory
The fact ex-S Club 7 (or was it Steps?) singer Rachel Stevens has her name on the front of this record and apparently sang the songs within is quite irrelevant. Once again we enter the realm of our Swedish songwriting friends peddling production line
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Fencers keep it in the family
A FENCER is following in the footsteps of his sister and two brothers as he aims to reach the pinnacle of the sport. Chris Taylor, aged 15 and a pupil at Bromsgrove School, is currently ranked fourth on the U17s Epee list and as a result has been selected
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Welcome to Collinwood (15)
HERE'S a film that is definitely one for the boys. Seeing that George Clooney was in it, I reckoned it was one for the girls. I was mistaken. The gorgeous George is mean but not moody, has too many tattoos even for a bit of rough, and he's sitting down
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GOLF: Four majors won
FOUR major competitions have reached their climax at Bromsgrove Golf Club. Neil Batson defeated Pete Fox to land the Morris Bowl while David Thompson secured victory against Jeff Banfield on the 18th hole in the Slideslow Cup. Liz Stirling beat Liz Newton
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8/10/03 - Time to tackle inconsistencies
TWELVE games gone and I'll stick my neck out and say the league will be won with the lowest points total for a good few years. The league is extremely competitive but I've got no fears about sending our team out to face anybody. We proved that in two
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All change at historic homes
WELL known Bromsgrove solicitor Matthew Horton has retired after 25 years as clerk to the town's Thomas White Cottage Homes. The senior partner in the firm of Thomas Horton and Sons, whose offices are in the Strand, Matthew became the clerk in 1978 following
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Labour blasts 'secret' council
CALLS are being made for controversial issues to be debated in public at Redditch Council - amid fears too many decisions are made in secret. There are concerns that a motion to overturn a decision to axe free bus travel for pensioners and the disabled
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Funfair was perfectly in order
I FEEL I must reply to the two letters complaining about our annual fair in Redditch town centre (Advertiser, September 24). Firstly, in reply to Mr Farley's letter regarding the parking for specially adapted vehicles. When the town centre was made a
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Warning after indecent assaults
POLICE have warned women to be to be on their guard following a number of indecent assaults in Redditch over the past few days. There have been four incidents and police are now investigating the possibility they could be linked. The first incident happened
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Shotgun tragedy
A SAMBOURNE pensioner died four days after a tragic accident in which he apparently shot himself by mistake. John Moroney, aged 73, of Sambourne Park, was cleaning a semi-automatic 12-bore shotgun in his garage after he had been out shooting during the
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Players gather in tribute
A CHARITY football match has been set up in memory of a Redditch man who lost his battle against cancer on his 26th birthday. Former Arrow Vale High School pupil Lee Thorp died on August 18 after being diagnosed with cancer in April. Lee had played for
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Savage cuts spell misery
THERE would seem to be - judging from the various comments made by the Conservative Council Leader recently - some confusion over the introduction of charges or the ending of a free travel scheme. First of all, there is the issue of cost and how the scheme
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We haven't stopped looking for a solution
THE Labour Party in Redditch has distributed newsletters criticising the Liberal Democrats for contemplating changes to the free buss pass system the Labour introduced 20 years ago. If circumstances were still the same as 20 years ago, the Lib Dems would
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Village boys take on Villa
ALVECHURCH Sports and Social Club is set to take on the Villa in a charity football match to raise funds to send 10-year-old twins on a trip of a lifetime. Club members have been fund-raising to raise £5,000 to send Abbie and Becky Potter, who have cerebral
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It's high time we took stock
Mr C O'Brian has a right to feel angry about youngsters breaking windows at the new Matchborough First School (Letters, September 10). Matchborough in particular has had more than its fair share of the problems caused by antisocial behaviour. Part of
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Shortfalls are leaping up
WELL now, thank you planning councillors for bringing to light the 'shortfalls' constantly met with planning applications, principally with off-street parking provision. But what about all the shortfalls? Like the complete lack of an open play space in
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Let's be a solid, growing borough
Last week, the Government minister responsible for it conceded that council tax has reached the limits of acceptability for many. What this means is that those on fixed and lower incomes are least able to absorb tax rises of 12 per cent or so each year
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Bel Canto Singers
THE annual concert was held on September 20 at the Spadesbourne Suite in Bromsgrove, the first concert under new musical director Pauline Sherlock. Accompanist Michelle Hitchman gave two solos on tenor horn and there were solos from Anne Maeers, Lyn Stephens
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Cymdeithas Gymraeg (Welsh Society)
THE AGM on September 12 was well attended. During the business part of the meeting, the treasurer reported the finances were healthy, a good sign of a thriving society. Peter Frayer joined the committee. The new chairman is Pat Radford and new president
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Malvern & Worcester Breathe Easy Group
SEPTEMBER was a busy month for the Group. The first meeting was on the second Tuesday at Malvern when members were told of the £103.40 added to funds from donations and a boot sale. Speaker Dr Stephen O'Hickey spoke about being prepared for winter by
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Redditch Speakers Club
During the evening, new members were encouraged to take part. Lynn Stewart gave a beautiful and sensitive reading of W H Auden's poem Funeral Blues. Other new members took part in the topics session where they were asked to give a spontaneous speech on
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St Leonard's Mothers' Union
SEPTEMBER was a busy month. The first of the meetings to be held at the new sister branch at Mendip House took place on September 8. The Wave of Prayer was observed on September 10 when members of St Luke's branch, Headless Cross, shared worship. The
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Search is on
THE hunt is on to find any living descendants of a Redditch man who donated a fountain to the town in 1883. Moves are being made to find relatives of RS Bartleet in the hope they will be able to unveil the revamped fountain later this month. Restoration
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New clients for project
REDDITCH Nightstop has gained two new clients just one month after the launch of a project to tackle homelessness in the town. The Advertiser reported in September Nightstop and St Basil's Floating Support had launched the service, which offers 16 to
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Flowers for 150th home
THERE were celebrations on Friday when Redditch Co-operative Homes' 150th tenant took the keys to her new house. The housing organisation was celebrating the opening of its latest venture in Union Street, Smallwood, along with town MP Jacqui Smith, who
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Rock band on a roll for charity
MEMBERS of a Redditch band who got together again after more than 30 years apart have raised almost £6,000 for charity in the last two years. Shifting Sands will be playing again on Saturday, October 18, to raise money for Redditch charity Home-Start,
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Jeff's catch is in the can
A REDDITCH soldier who is serving with his regiment in Canada has realised one of his life-long dreams while on holiday on Vancouver Island. While fishing in the Campbell River at Salmon Point, Sgt Jeff Twilton, 36, reeled in 36lbs of salmon - after having
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James has high hopes
A BRAVE Alcester man will be jumping out of an aeroplane to raise funds for a new classroom at a town school. James Watts, a former pupil at Our Lady's Primary School, will be skydiving on October 18 to raise money for the new £140,000 classroom at the
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Late night shop hours over
THE One Stop Shop office in Redditch Town Hall is stopping its late-night Thursday opening time after a review. The office increased its opening hours for a trial period from May after customer feedback. The late-night opening will end from October 13
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Top law student
A MUM-of-three has won an award for being the top student on a law degree course. Abigail Thompson received the annual prize for achieving the best marks on Worcester College of Technology's part-time law degree course in 2002/2003. The prize is presented
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Food advice is colourful
"EATING a rainbow" was the unusual but important message when the Redditch branch of the Stroke Association marked National Stroke Awareness Week. In this case, eating a rainbow meant getting the message across to everyone about the need to eat a wide
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Abbey plans on show
RESIDENTS can now study plans for a £50 million sports, leisure and entertainment complex on the site of Abbey Stadium. A planning application for the scheme, which includes a snowdome, ice rink, multi-screen cinema and restaurants, has finally been registered
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100 years ago
October 10, 1903 THE October Pleasure Fair, as now the Alvechurch Mop may be more appropriately called, was held on Wednesday in the Crown Meadow. One of the chief features of the mop was the hiring of farm servants but like many other ancient customs
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Two deny smash and grab jewel heist from city centre shop
THIEVES stole £11,000 worth of watches, earrings and gold rings from a city jewellers during a smash and grab raid at night, a jury heard. They broke the display window of Nigel Dunn in Chapel Walk, CrownGate, on Monday, March 31 this year. Two men were
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Council backs nature reserve
A BID to turn a 30-acre are of scrubland in Cherry Orchard into a community feature has been backed by Worcester City Council. The council cabinet last night endorsed a plan to turn the site, south of the Diglis basin on the edge of the River Severn,
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Dundee date for 999 team
PARAMEDICS from Hereford and Worcester Ambulance Service have been brushing up on their ball skills to take part in a charity football match in Dundee this weekend. Eight paramedics from the service will be making the trip north for the match on Saturday
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Suspect 'refused to open the door'
A WITNESS has told how murder suspect Gerald Edwards was moving something in his Tolladine flat and would not let him in, just two days before the dismembered body of drugs dealer Michael Kelly was found. Martin Locke told the trial at Birmingham Crown
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Cash for Guildhall may help heritage Lottery bid
MONEY spent on improving disabled access and facilities at Worcester's Guildhall could help secure Lottery funding for further development, a city councillor said last night. Coun Barry Mackenzie-Williams told the cabinet funds to install a lift between
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Planning permission 'was a great present'
A LEISURE centre for people with learning disabilities has been given the go-ahead for expansion as it celebrates its 10th anniversary in Worcester. The Snoezelen, a multi-sensory therapy centre for people with special needs, had to put its plans on hold
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NHS at fault in birth trauma
A HOSPITAL has admitted it made a mistake when a woman felt a surgeon's knife cutting in to her during the Caesarean birth of her daughter. Joanne Needs has suffered flashbacks, anxiety and nightmares since the delivery of her daughter Ruby, on Sunday
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Asbestos blamed for death 30 years on
A MAINTENANCE engineer from Worcester died of industrial disease after a decade of "major exposure" to asbestos. Robert Douglas, of Connaught Close, St Peter's, spent 10 years repairing boilers and fixing pipes, between the ages of 16 and 26, an inquest
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Prison van involved in M5 pile-up
TWO lanes of the M5 were closed for nearly three hours last night causing massive tailbacks after a three-vehicle pile-up. The incident happened at 6pm, when an armoured prison van - with no prisoners inside - and two cars were in collision, leaving the
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Wake up and taste this superior meal
A BED & Breakfast in Upton-upon-Severn has been recognised as serving one of the best breakfasts in the Heart of England region. Tiltridge Vineyard B&B has been awarded a Highly Commended in the Heart of England Food and Drink Excellence Awards
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Church fund
AN organ recital by Paul Charman will be the first winter concert in aid of the St John's Landmark Appeal. The concert will take place in St John's Parish Church, off Kidderminster Road, this Saturday at 7.30pm. Tickets are £5 with all proceeds going
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We must stop young thugs early on - MP
YOUNG thugs should be caught early to prevent them falling into an expensive life of crime, MP Mike Foster has warned council leaders. The City MP delivered a speech on the Government's children's policies to a conference of workers from 14 West Midlands
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'Bitter woman with evil streak'
THE former principal of a Worcestershire children's home told police a woman who accused him of raping her more than 20 years ago had "an evil streak", a jury heard. Brian Gillam was arrested in September last year and interviewed 13 times by detectives
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Scottish play for Malvern
YOUNGSTERS from two Malvern colleges will take centre stage this evening - as they put on a performance of two Shakespeare plays. A group of about 30 youngsters from Malvern College, on College Road, will perform Macbeth, a tragedy about the lust for
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Question Time
THE BBC is bringing political debate to Worcestershire as Question Time comes to the Faithful City. David Dimbleby will chair the popular current affairs TV show as a panel of politicians and celebrities tackle key issues of the day, as raised by a studio
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Top city chippy is plaice to be after award win
TASTY food, top hygiene and excellent management skills have helped a Worcester chip shop scoop a top award. The heat was on and temperatures were rising as fryers were fired up in a bid to be crowned best fish and chip shop in the south Midlands. It
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Bromsgrove Rovers 3 Ilkeston Town 0
Tuesday, October 7, 2003 BROMSGROVE Rovers made it six league and cup games unbeaten with a 3-0 victory over Ilkeston Town last night. Two Steve Frost headers and a Marcus Jackson fluke goal inside 21 minutes gave George Rooney's side the points. Until
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Bromsgrove Rovers 3 Sutton Coldfield Town 1
Saturday, October 4, 2003 STEVE Pope scored twice and Mark Atkinson once as Bromsgrove Rovers booked their place in the FA Trophy First Round proper with a 3-1 defeat of Sutton Coldfield Town. Once again George Rooney's side displayed an all round commitment
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Conmen dupe woman, 82
AN elderly woman was duped into letting two men into her home after they claimed they needed to work on her water tank. The men went to the 82 year old's flat in Astwood Bank and said they were fitting a washing machine in the flat above and needed to
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Halloween alert
POLICE are cracking down on antisocial behaviour in and around Redditch during Halloween and bonfire night. Operation Ghost, which started on October 1, will run for six weeks. Insp Jacqueline Smith said: "This time of year can be a very frightening experience
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01/10/03 - Double Dutch
A DUTCH television company is trying to trace two former Bromsgrove Rovers players to take part in a documentary. David Kettle and Jimmy Watton, who played for Rovers during the late 1950s, are believed to be two of the first English players to transfer
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Thieves take trees
BONSAI trees worth nearly £1,415 were stolen from a Mappleborough Green garden centre at the weekend. Three trees - a pine, acer and juniperus - were taken from the Dai-ichi Bonsai Centre at Hilliers in Henley road on Friday night or Saturday morning.
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Daytime burglary sparks warning
STUDLEY police are warning residents to be wary as the nights draw in following a burglary in Middletown near the village. The break-in last Wednesday saw a thief or thieves force a back ground-floor window and steal jewellery. There were no apparent
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17/09/03 - Wait is over
BROMSGROVE Rovers are out of administration - and that's official. The Victoria Ground club was finally given the green light by the courts yesterday (Tuesday). Rovers spent the best part of three years under the watch of Halesowen-based Mayfields Practioners
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Spa open with draw
DROITWICH Spa Men First XI began their West Midlands division one campaign and Barry Williams first game as captain with a 4-4 home draw with Evesham. The Seconds also began with a draw, coming from 3-1 down to grab a point at Evesham. This Saturday sees
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Goal double
BROMSGROVE Hockey Club Ladies Third XI made the perfect start to their new season with a 4-0 defeat of Bournville. The side rose above rainy conditions with Lisa-Maree Surtees and Kirsteen Griffiths sharing the goals two apiece. Player of the match was
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Potential to make a real difference
ACCORDING to industry experts, Worcester is fast becoming one of Britain's property hotspots. As we report on Pages 2 and 11 today, housing developments are starting up all over the city, with apartments being built in The Tything, The Butts, City Walls
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Casey in Reds shock
REDDITCH United's coach Kim Casey has left the Valley and returned to Moor Green. The former Kidderminster Harriers legend has gone back to his love of the Moorlands and reformed his volatile relationship with Moors boss Bob Faulkner after 18 months at
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Medicine wasters rebuked
MORE than half a million pounds in medicines are wasted each year in Redditch and Bromsgrove by people who order them but fail to take them. That money could be used to pay for 125 hip and knee operations, 2,000 cataract operations or 25 nurses. As a
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8/10/03 - City in need of fresh blood
AUTUMN is upon us, leaves are dropping faster than Ruud van Nistelrooy in the penalty box and City are at a crossroads less than two months into the season. Is it really that dramatic? Well five defeats in six matches begs the question how far manager
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Plea for FA action over racial abuse
REDDITCH United chiefs are calling for the Football Association to act over a race storm with Shirebrook Town. Reds' chairman Pat Cremin made a formal complaint to Soho Square on Monday, over Town's 'disgraceful' fans. Cremin claims that a section of
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'Church ground mystery
ALVECHURCH bosses have had no word from the mysterious businessman who bought up the club at an auction. Udham Kang, of Birmingham, splashed out more than £220,000 on the three-and-a-half-acre Birmingham Road land at a Villa Park auction on September
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Recycling scheme gets the thumbs-up from residents
THERE has been a positive response from residents to a new household recycling scheme. More than 1,800 questionnaires were sent out to those taking part in the scheme, which started in May, and more than a third were returned. The results suggest 94 per
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It's a bore draw
ALVECHURCH were held to a dismal goalless away draw against a Grosvenor Park side. What's worse for the visitors is that before kick off their hosts were struggling to find any sort of form. The Churchmen were hoping to find the same sort of form that
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No going fourth
STUDLEY'S bid for a fourth straight win was dented as Oldbury United held them to a 2-2 draw at the weekend. The Bees found themselves down to ten men and a goal behind before the break when David Burrows was ordered off the pitch after two bookable offences
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Injury-hit Rod on player hunt
REDS boss Rod Brown is hoping to add to his injury hit team with a seven-day approach for two new players, writes Matt Smith. Left-sided Solihull Borough midfielder Dave Hayward is on Brown's hitlist along with central defender Gary Sucharewycz from Leek
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What's On Guide
Thursday, October 9 Steve Hackett, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester. Tickets from 01905 611427. Men in Coats, Performa Comedy Big Top, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, Tickets from 0870 900 4555. Michael McDonald, Symphony Hall, Birmingham. Tickets from 0121 780
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Bulls on fire to go five in front
FREE-scoring Hereford United moved five points clear at the top of the Nationwide Conference table with a 5-1 demolition last night of struggling Northwich Victoria at Wincham Park. The Bulls scored in the fourth minute of each half and then sealed the
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Frost the star for Rovers
BROMSGROVE Rovers continued their impressive run of form with a 3-0 victory over Ilkeston Town in the Dr Martens Western Division at the Victoria Ground last night. Two Steve Frost goals and a Marcus Jackson fluke goal inside 21 minutes gave George Rooney's
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Bromsgrove RFC First XV 2003/04
Back row, from left, Della Bailey (Sports Therapist), Dean Ball (Director of Coaching), Mark Cornelius, Dave Hurcombe, Richard Arnold, Andy Bridge, Tom Churchill, Ross Baxter, Carl Bradley, Steve Phillips, Dave Wilkinson (Director of Coaching) and Neil
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Town get over line at Aston
BROMSGROVE RFC First XV made it three wins from four Midlands Two (West) games with a 20-8 victory at Aston Old Edwardians. The Finstall Park side were far from on top form last Saturday, trailing 8-3 at one stage despite having the slope and wind in
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Dean Ball
Director of coaching
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8/10/03 - GWR stretch advantage
IN the Nationwide Doors & Windows Worcester Billiards League, GWR & St Johns B have extended their lead over St Stephens B and St Stephens A. The highest break of the week, 52, was made by M Painter, for St Stephens A. Results: Suzy Q 4 Heenans
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Frosty the showman
BROMSGROVE Rovers made it six league and cup games unbeaten with a 3-0 victory over Ilkeston Town last night. Two Steve Frost headers and a Marcus Jackson fluke goal inside 21 minutes gave George Rooney's side the points. Until that point, Rovers could
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Villa shot down on penalties
FAIRFIELD Villa lost their second cup match in a week with a penalty shoot-out defeat at home to Handsaker. Villa, beaten 2-0 at Bewdley Town in the Worcestershire FA Junior Cup last week, were level 3-3 at 90 minutes, twice putting through their won
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Pope hits target in trophy
STEVE Pope scored twice and Mark Atkinson once as Bromsgrove Rovers booked their place in the FA Trophy First Round proper with a 3-1 defeat of Sutton Coldfield Town. Once again George Rooney's side displayed an all round commitment and the passion and
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Reserves lead table
BROMSGROVE Rovers Reserves held on to top spot in the Midland Combination reserve division depsite a 1-0 defeat at Gresley. A much-depleted Rovers side threw everything except the kitchen sink at their hosts in an attempt to salvage a point. Steve Cotton's
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Junior football round-up
CCC U11s 4 Hanbury U11s 5 Alex Jarvis scored a hat-trick, including an extra time winner. Hanbury were three down at the interval but got back to 3-3 and took the lead with a minute to go before CCC levelled at 4-4 for extra time. Luke Rowlands and Jake
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25 years ago October 6, 1978
BROMSGROVE was lagging behind other county towns in its roads maintenance programme. The town was at present being plagued by an exceptional crop of weeds, which were growing luxuriantly between kerbs and gutters. It was said the reason was the mild winter
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50 years ago October 10, 1953
A FIVE-BAY Dutch barn and several ricks of unthreashed wheat totalling 60 tons was destroyed in a fire at Mr John Hodgetts' Farley Farm at Romsley. Joseph Low, chief engineer, at the nearby sanatorium, led a team of volunteers who tackled the blaze. A
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100 years ago October 10, 1903
A SERIOUS accident happened in Droitwich when a Miss Perks, from Oakland Cottage, and her companion Mrs Jones, who was in the Spa to take the waters, were flung from the carriage they were travelling in when a trace broke and the pony bolted. Fortunately
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08/10/03 - Birch return on
MATT Birch (pictured) could be back in the Bromsgrove RFC First XV line-up this weekend if he comes through training unscathed. Birch, out of action since being crushed between two lorries at work last month, will be tested in the contact arena to see
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Gratitude to life-savers
DEAR EDITOR -- I owe my life to the ambulance crew who found me unconscious at home after I made a 999 call as my heart was losing blood. I woke up in the cardiac ward of the Walsgrave Hospital in Coventry. It was a very difficult time. The doctors and
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Protection from agency
DEAR EDITOR -- As the proprietor of a small business operating in Bromsgrove, I have received a communication from Data Protection Agency Services. This tells me that I am not registered under the Data Protection Act 1998 and that I am therefore committing
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Council must let public speak
DEAR EDITOR -- Well done Norton! Excellent work on suspending Councillors Doyle, Lammie and Psirides. I mean, who were they to start suggesting that the general public have a say in the future of Bromsgrove? Why should the public have any say? We don't
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They've taken away the 'a'
DEAR EDITOR -- Your newspaper recently highlighted the incorrect use of an apostrophe on a council notice. Worse still is the spelling error on two new signs at the entrance to the ASDA car park in Bromsgrove which say - 'Recretion Road' (What happened
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Alarming for us all
DEAR EDITOR -- In response to the fears of your reader 'Alarmed of Bromsgrove' I would like to assure him (or her) that councillors are aware that the change in bin collection practice could increase crime. It is an established fact that experience in
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A chance for pupils to follow their hearts
PLANS to offer students tailor-made vocational courses from the age of 14 were announced at the Labour Party conference last week. The shake-up means pupils will no longer be expected to study the same subjects, at the same pace and sit the same exams
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Show-stealer gives Woodrush first win
Woodrush 13 Reditch 10 North Midlands One FULL-BACK Martin Leech stole the show to give Woodrush their first win of the season against an unbeaten Redditch side in a fierce derby at Icknield Street. Redditch had just lost influential captain, Stan Hull
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Seconds overcome by back-to-form Alcester
ALCESTER travelled to Pershore on Saturday and brushed aside their second XV after scheduled opponents Warley were in cup action. After being beaten the last two weeks it was a welcome return to winning ways for Alcester - although Pershore make the visitors
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Paul Wyatt
Goalkeeper
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Ian Gandy
Goalkeeper
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Steve Hillman
Defender
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Steve Frost
Defender
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Dave Benton
Defender
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Ross Collins
Midfield
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James Dyson
Midfield
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Darren Bullock
Midfield
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Mark Benbow
Midfield/Striker
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Kevin Banner
Midfield/Striker
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Mark Atkinson
Striker
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Mark Jones
Striker. On loan from Hednesford Town.
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Screen show hits the stage
LOVE and the beautiful game are the main ingredients of a new play, which kicks off at Droitwich Spa theatre tomorrow (Thursday) night. Coming-of-age comedy Gregory's Girl starts its three-night run at the Norbury Theatre and audiences are guaranteed
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Panto season is just 'behind you'
WE'RE fast approaching Christmas and the month of December and you know what that means? Yes, panto season! Oh no it isn't. Oh yes it is! You know the routine. And this year it's Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood that will form the festive finale to
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Aston OE 8 Bromsgrove 20
Saturday, October 4, 2003 BROMSGROVE RFC First XV made it three wins from four Midlands Two (West) games with a 20-8 victory at Aston Old Edwardians. The Finstall Park side were far from on top form last Saturday, trailing 8-3 at one stage despite having
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A world of difference
THE Phillpott File (September 22), took us back to the end of the war and those good old days of years gone by. It was a brilliant piece of journalism. However, it made me wonder, what could he write about the times in which we live now? These days, many
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Bromsgrove Canine Society
The final show of the year was held at All Saints Hall, Burcot Lane, on September 27. Robert Greaves, a hound specialist from Stourbridge, came to judge 94 dogs. This was an excellent entry and Mr Greaves commented on the quality of the dogs entered.
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How Churchill laid foundations of EU
I WONDER whether Europhobe Brian Hunt will still see Winston Churchill as his "hero" when he hears that the great man told The Hague Conference in May 1948: "Sixteen European States are now associated for economic purposes; five have entered into close
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Hagley Gardeners' Club
Our summer ended with a visit to Pembridge Terracotta Pottery to watch a large flowerpot made and decorated followed by lunch and a walk round the delightful medieval village of Pembridge. In the afternoon we visited Hergest Croft Gardens; the home of
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Sports auction
STOKE Prior will be the goal for scores of sports fans at a special auction. Cash from the sports auction, organised by the Stoke Prior First School Association, will go towards purchasing computer equipment for pupils. Among the 100 plus interesting
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Help for the big move
A GENEROUS removal firm helped move staff, patients and everything but the kitchen sink from a Bromsgrove hospice to a temporary home, while building work takes place. Pickfords offered to help the Primrose Hospice move from its site in St Godwald's Road
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Kids learn that books are amazing
MEDALS, sweets and certificates were presented to Rubery tots who had taken part in a reading scheme over the summer holidays. Thirty-four children received their reading maze awards at a prize-giving session at Rubery Library in Library Way on Monday
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Gang terror for OAP
AN elderly woman was left terrified after being threatened with violence by a group of workmen on Tuesday morning. They demanded £2,600 for repairs to her drive - but she had only agreed to pay them £30. Police believe she is the victim of a gang which
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Ads are just the ticket
a hard-hitting bus advertising campaign aims to encourage young people to take an interest in their local council. Bromsgrove District Council has teamed up with local government colleagues across Worcestershire for the advertising blitz. Posters will
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Cracking down on car criminals
OPERATION Firesafe is returning to Bromsgrove after last year's successful campaign to rid the district of burnt out and abandoned cars. Police, fire and the local authorities are joining together to tackle the problem of abandoned cars, arson and theft
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Theatre Romeo & Juliet
Festival Theatre Malvern THE theatre was full of noisy teenagers just before the curtain went up, obviously there for study purposes, and I was concerned that I would not be able to concentrate on the play. But I needn't have worried. The young people
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Warning over stadium land
BROMSGROVE Rovers may be left without a pitch in the town if their current ground is sold for development. That's the warning of Councillor Peter McDonald (Waseley), the leader of the Labour group on Bromsgrove District Council. Cllr McDonald claims to
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SPA FAMILIES TO REAP CASH BOOST
By LISA HERITAGE A FAMILIY advice centre in the Spa is one of only 32 centres nationwide to scoop a Government cash injection. Children, Young People and Families Minister Margaret Hodge flagged up Droitwich's new advice centre, WANDS as a shining example
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Fined after finger cut off
A TOWN firm was fined £6,000 after a worker had his finger cut off. The Health and Safety Executive hauled Bacol Fine Blanking Limited, of Aston Fields, before Redditch magistrates' court last Wednesday. The firm pleaded guilty to the charge of failing
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Chills, thrills and debut novels
BLOOD, intrigue and terror are a winning combination for one Spa author who will return to town for the book signing of his debut novel. Chris Wright of Farmer's Piece will appear at WHSmiths bookstore in Droitwich on Saturday, November 1. His debut novel
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Procession leader plea
BROMSGROVE'S colourful carnival procession could be cancelled if extra marshals cannot be found to lead it through the town. A new procession leader is needed to head-up the fundraising extravaganza of floats, which are set to take to the streets on June
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Rebels may go to court
TORY leader Iain Duncan Smith is not alone in having to battle with disaffected members from within his own party. The leader of the ruling Conservative group on Bromsgrove District Council is also facing a stiff challenge from the three angry councillors
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Science prof made honorary Cossack
A PIONEERING Spa scientist has been made an honorary Russian for his work in virtual reality. Professor Bob Stone from Park Way was made an honorary Cossack for his help in bringing the technology to the former Soviet Republic. The University of Birmingham
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Rubery set to score new pitch
AN ALL-WEATHER sports pitch could be built in a Rubery park using cash from the sale of Callowbrook school. Bromsgrove district councillor Peter McDonald (Lab-Waseley) is adamant the £65,000 left over from the sale of the former Callowbrook school site
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Tribute to Bali bomb victims
A RUGBY tournament was staged in Bali at the weekend to remember those who died in the bombing. Droitwich man Tom Holmes aged 39 died in the bombing which killed 202 including 26 Brits. A former pupil at Bromsgrove School, Tom had been working in Hong
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Rev backs child nudes
A RETIRED vicar has jumped to the defence of a former district councillor convicted of collecting child pornography. Sixty-six-year-old Keith Rogers of Birch Coppice was fined £5,000 three weeks ago after police discovered nearly 2,000 indecent images
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ATHLETICS: Grice record
ANDY Grice took a minute and a half off the course record when winning the North Worcestershire Multi-Terrain eight-mile race. The Amazing Feet runner completed the event through the Waseley and Lickey Hills in 52 minutes 29 seconds. Promoted by Bromsgrove
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SNOOKER: Sick as Parrott
BROMSGROVE-born snooker star Stephen Lee has lost his first match of the new season. World number five Lee, 29-years-old next week, was beaten by former world champion and BBC pundit John Parrott in the LG Cup in Preston on Monday. Lee, a semi-finalist
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SNOOKER: Meade's break
TREVOR Meade compiled a break of 35 for Aston Fields C in the Droitwich and District snooker league. Meade's effort in division one was the highest in the latest round of matches on Tuesday, September 30. Alan Morgan's 30 for Droitwich Snooker Centre
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Trio guilty of mutiny
THREE men have been convicted of taking part in a prison mutiny at Blakenhurst Prison. A riot broke out at the jail near Redditch on June 19 last year after it was decided to lock inmates in their cells early due to staff shortages. The jury at Worcester
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Centre is a lifeline for us
I HAVE recently joined a class at the Redi Centre. From the first telephone inquiry to my arrival in the classroom, I was treated as someone special. The tutor reflected the empathy and friendliness of the whole building, from the reception desk to the
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Phobias, be afraid
A REDDITCH man is setting up his own clinic in Batchley to help people overcome their personal demons after learning from the best. The Advertiser reported in February Chris Jones, aged 28, of Bromsgrove Road, was about to take part in two courses run
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Dancer's delight
GEMINI dancing sensation Cherrelle Crooke took first place in the East of England slow dance competition. Cherrelle, 16, claimed top spot in the under-18 section and also took the Miss Freestyle title in Edinburgh.
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Alcester Conservative Wives
AT the September meeting held at the home of Mrs June Escott, members enjoyed listening to James Holloway, the Conservative agent for Stratford. He talked of his experiences in visiting Romania as a representative of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy
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Historian in pub appeal
PLANS to demolish an old Studley pub to build sheltered housing could see some opposition despite being generally welcomed by the parish council and neighbours. Village historian and architect Ray Lamb spoke out this week in favour of saving the Duke
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Parents to meet chiefs
A REDDITCH parent governor will meet education ministers this month as part of the ongoing campaign to secure a fairer funding settlement for schools across the county. Juliet Brunner and fellow Worcestershire County Council parent governor representative
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Drive on nuisance vehicles gears up
REDDITCH police and fire brigade have joined forces with the Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to crack down on owners of abandoned and unlicensed vehicles. Since Monday, the major players have stepped up their enforcement action to rid the
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Drakes Cross WI
VICE-president Beryl Parsons welcomed members to the September meeting. Names were taken for the Alvechurch group meeting when Tricia Stewart, one of the original Calendar Girls will speak. The speaker was Sue Sollis, who founded an independent charity
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New memorial for town crematorium
A NEW memorial centrepiece is to be placed in the scattering area at Redditch Crematorium. A sundial, which will be able to accommodate 24 memorial plaques, is to be installed. A large area of wall at the back of the crematorium is also to be opened up
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Probus Club of Alcester
AT the 195th meeting, three speakers, all members of the club, gave a 10-minute talk each. Alan Harrison spoke of his involvement as Studley Parish Council clerk. Studley is the largest village in Warwickshire with a larger population than Alcester. He
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Redditch Over 50s Forum
THE forum held its first open meeting on September 18 in the council chamber. The attendance of about 40 was encouraging. Chairman Douglas Ray introduced the officers to the public, summarised the activities of the forum since it started in February and
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Wythall History Society
A vivid insight into life below stairs was given by Miss Meriel Hayes with her lecture Dear Polly - Letters of a Lady's Maid on September 26th. Meriel had discovered a batch of letters written by her grandmother, Polly, between the years 1872-80, most
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A 'Hole lot of rocking going on
A REDDITCH-based rock band have now embarked on a UK tour following an appearance on Carlton TV's new music show Xposure last month, where they appeared with the Fun Lovin' Criminals. The 'Hole kicked off their tour on September 23 with a gig at London's
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Group set to help charities
AN organisation set up to fill the gap left after the collapse of an advice service last year has been given £30,000 backing by Redditch Council. Redditch Commonwealth has been set up by homeless charity Step Out Drop In, the YMCA, All Women's House and
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Blooming lovely!
RESIDENTS of a sheltered housing scheme celebrated their artistic achievements on Friday with an exhibition of their own work and a birthday party. The residents, who live at Keats House in Headless Cross, have been taking part in council-run watercolour
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Going, going, go to an evaluation
AN auction house is holding a valuation event in Redditch on Tuesday for anyone with any old postcards, stamps, coins, cigarette cards or medals. Warwick and Warwick Auctioneers and Valuers will be at the Quality Hotel in Southcrest from 10am-2pm. A spokesman
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Bus helps spread youth message
A BUS stopped off at Redditch Town Hall last week as part of a campaign targeting young people. Posters are being put up inside and on the back of buses to stress the importance of local government as part of Local Democracy Week (LDW) 2003, which runs
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Gifted pair join county's brightest
TWO bright Trinity High School pupils have just been accepted into the academy for gifted and talented youth at the University of Warwick. After being assessed, James McWilliams and Laura Phillips, both 14, showed an academic ability in the top five per
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Emma's on the crest of a wave
A FORMER Arrow Vale High School pupil has successfully completed the initial phase of training in her bid to become a warfare officer in the Royal Navy. Emma Garey, 21, joined the navy in March 1999 in the electronic warfare specialisation. She has travelled
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Hundreds in mast lobby
HUNDREDS of townsfolk packed out an expert-led anti-Tetra mast meeting - but one Alcester man has launched his own campaign in support of the masts. Cambridge University student Adam Bradley, 21, bombarded the town with posters in support of the masts
