A COLOURFUL cast proved to be a big hit with theatre-goers when Worcester's first pantomime of the year opened last night at the revamped Swan Theatre. This time last year, the Swan looked doomed after its board of directors made the decision to close
AN electrical engineer accused of sex offences against two young girls claimed at Worcester Crown Court that the prosecution was trying to portray him as "a monster." Christopher Howley, aged 48, also alleged the case against him was part of a family
A YOUTH music night held by five enterprising teenagers was such a success it is being held again this week. The alcohol-free and no smoking event for 13 to 17-year-olds took place for the first time last Friday. It was organised by Shelley Harper, Roxanne
THREE Indian women are still on the run after using a county cricket match as a ploy to enter the country. The women, from Punjab, were granted special three-week visas after stating they were visiting England to take part in a cricket tournament at Colwall
YOBS could be named and shamed on leaflets pushed through the doors of families they have terrorised. Worcester Police are considering the move to tackle anti-social behaviour that can blight the lives of residents countywide. Leaflets would contain the
A COUPLE in Worcester have set up a grotto at their home to raise funds for heart patients. John and Clarice Knowles, of 46 Meadowbank Drive, St John's, originally opened the grotto last year for their grandchildren and neighbour's children but it proved
TOWN leaders have vowed not to give up their fight to stop mobile phone companies erecting more transmitter masts in Droitwich. Wychavon District Council gave planning permission to place a 56ft third generation (3G) phone mast at The Weighbridge, Union
HARMONIOUS town voices are getting ready for a cracker of a Christmas concert later this month. Bromsgrove's Primrose Choir is hoping to be in fine form for its annual vocal extravaganza on Thursday, December 18, also featuring performances from the Starlight
A NINETEEN-year-old Worcester student was banned from driving for two years after being caught driving the wrong way on a city street while over the drink-drive limit. James Bill, who is in his second year of A-levels at Worcester Sixth Form College,
TICKETS are selling like hot cakes for a musical extravaganza in Bromsgrove this weekend. The Bromsgrove Choral Society will be performing Vivaldi's Gloria and John Rutter's Magnificat at South Bromsgrove High School, in Charford Road, this Saturday.
DELAYS on Thames Trains have more than doubled since Labour came to power, it was claimed today. A total of 29.5 per cent of services arrived late in the four weeks to November 8, according to the Liberal Democrats. This compared to 14.3 per cent of services
COUNTRY music fans will not want to miss a gig in the Spa this Friday night. The ever-popular Graham Broughton Trio will be travelling down from Manchester to perform at the Royal British Legion Club, in Salwarpe Road, from about 8pm. The concert has
OFFENDERS are going to find themselves coming before the courts quicker than ever before. West Mercia Police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) have joined forces to speed up the decision process as to whether someone who has committed a crime is
CHRISTMAS shoppers can experience the festive spirit on board a real steam train later this month. Past-Time Rail's annual Christmas party steam train will be picking up passengers at both Worcester Foregate and Shrub Hill stations on Saturday, December
AN environmental project in Worcestershire is one of 64 schemes across the country to receive a boost under a new national initiative. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister yesterday announced the first round of grants in its Living Space programme,
FIXTURES WEST MIDLANDS REGIONAL LEAGUE Saturday, December 13 Premier Division: Dudley Town v Malvern Town (2.45). Division One (South): Malvern Town Reserves v Malvern Rangers (2.45). Saturday, December 20 Premier Division: Bromyard Town v Malvern Town
BROMSGROVE Rovers Supporters Society is keen to heal the rift between themselves and the football club. Relations between the two groups have broken down in recent months and the society want to put things right. The society approached the Advertiser/
A ONE minute silence was held ahead of Bromsgrove Rovers' match with Cirencester Town last Saturday to remember the life of Ashley Read. Ashley, who was just 18, played for both clubs during his short career before he tragically died following a car accident
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a woman was the victim of an attempted bag snatch in Matchborough on Thursday. The woman was walking through the subway near the shops in Matchborough Centre shortly before 3pm when two male youths walked level
A NINE-goal thriller provided Droitwich Spa Hockey Club Men's Fifths with their sixth consecutive Fathom League victory last Saturday. Spa came back from 4-1 against Harborne with four second goals, including a Pip Sirrell hat-trick. Despite taking an
IT might be difficult to regard jogging in the buff as a magnificent obsession to match train-spotting, stamp-collecting or brass-rubbing. But there are those - maybe even the ones seen crossing Castlemorton Common by a startled driver - who'd tell you
RUNNERS from a Redditch school were among the honours at the district cross-country championships held in the town. At the Middle and High Schools team competition and district trails, held at Arrow Valley Park, Kingsley College produced three winning
BROMSGROVE & Redditch AC's racewalker Sharon Tonks arrived at Tamworth for the final race in the Winter League Series knowing she only had to finish to take the title. But, despite being unfit after a lack of training following illness, she failed
ALADDIN at the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham is 'brilliant,' according to Jessica - aged nine and three quarters. Being an enthusiastic panto audience participator for half of her life, she reckons she knows what she's talking about. Jessica said: "There
THE town's first 24-hour emergency accommodation unit will open its doors in the first week of January, it has been announced. Homeless charity Step Out Drop In (SODI) has injected £500,000 into creating the nine-bedroom unit called Bredon House in Lakeside
Alvechurch 1 Quorn 1 ALVECHURCH boss Neil Bryan believed his side were denied a sure-fire penalty against Quorn on Saturday. The home side had taken the lead after just five minutes when Brett Fitzpatrick latched onto the ball inside the box and fired
Bridgnorth 0 Studley 1 STUDLEY assistant boss Nicky Cross is glad that no-one is making a fuss about his side's steady climb to the Midland Alliance summit. The Bees dismantled one of their biggest rivals to the title with a stunning victory away from
A NEW block of 18 flats could be developed on an "historically significant" industrial site near Redditch town centre. The flats, if given the green light, will be developed on the site of the old Prospect Works in Mill Street, off Clive Road, which contains
A NEW picnic area, decking and a duck feeding platform are to be included in a £75,000 improvement package at Arrow Valley Park. Residents are being asked for their views on the plans to restore and landscape the Peace Gardens, originally created in 1983
AN adaptation of Raymond Chandler's detective stories is brought to life at the Midland Arts Centre, Birmingham, on Friday and Saturday. The Lady in the Lake, written by Paul-James Merrell, is presented by Midlands-based theatre company MDCC, best known
MALVERN Theatre's Christmas pantomime this year, Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood, begins next Wednesday. Described as "sumptuously traditional, remaining faithful to the story that everyone knows and loves", the panto has a star-studded cast to bring
Saturday, December 13 FOOTBALL Dr Martens Western - Taunton Town v Bromsgrove Rovers (3pm). Midland Football Combination Division One - Handsaker v Barnt Green Spartak; Wilmcote S&S v Fairfield Villa. Division Two - Newhall United v Droitwich Spa.
IN-FORM Ashley Giles (pictured) produced his best ever Test bowling figures for England against Sri Lanka. The left-arm spinner, who lives in Droitwich Spa, took 8-133 in the First Test in Galle last week. Giles, aged 30, took four wickets in each of
EX-SERVICEMEN in Bromsgrove would not in future be awarded housing "points" towards obtaining a council house, the district council decided. The move had upset the British Legion which said it was a "diabolical" decision. TENANTS living on the new council
THE thorny question of providing the fire brigade with a telephone was raised at the local brigade's annual dinner, held at the Coach and Horses Hotel in Bromsgrove. The cost, about £40 or so, was said to be an unacceptable extra burden on already overtaxed
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers are already reaping the rewards of their FA Cup third round tie with Wolves. The BBC has decided to televise extended highlights of the Aggborough clash on January 3 and that deal will net both clubs £30,000. The game has already
EVESHAM United's cup commitments for the season came to an end last night when they were beaten 2-0 by Halesowen Town in the second round of the Worcestershire Senior Cup. In a repeat of last seasons' final both sides put up a decent display on a frozen
MALVERN Town moved into the third round of the Smedley Crooke Memorial Charity Cup with a comfortable 4-1 success at home to Alveston last night. On a bitterly cold, misty evening Town were very slow in getting out of the blocks and defender Pete Roberts
MAUREEN Burrows raced superbly to win a silver medal at the World Age Group Triathlon Championships in Queenstown, New Zealand. The event was held over the Olympic distance of 1500m open water swim, 40km bike and finally a 10km run. In the 60-64 year
Long Levens U13s 0 Droitwich Spa U13s 56 Chris Wade (3), Shaun Hooper (2), Charles Jackson, Nick Houlston, Tom Stedman, Matthew Cook, Nick Price (1). Bromsgrove U7s 40 Alcester U7s 25 Jack Morgan (3), Partrick Burrows, Adam Goldney, Christian Weston,
BROMSGROVE Rovers Supporters Society is keen to heal the rift between themselves and the football club. Relations between the two groups have broken down in recent months and the society want to put things right. The society approached the Advertiser/
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers are already reaping the rewards of their FA Cup third round tie with Wolves. The BBC has decided to televise extended highlights of the Aggborough clash on January 3 and that deal will net both clubs £30,000. The game has already
IN the end it was a tale of missed chances. Both sides had opportunities to take three points from this Dr Martens Western fixture, but neither were able to take them. Mark Benbow came the closest by hitting the post for the hosts in the second half while
A ONE minute silence was held ahead of Bromsgrove Rovers' match with Cirencester Town last Saturday to remember the life of Ashley Read. Ashley, who was just 18, played for both clubs during his short career before he tragically died following a car accident
EMERGENCY goalkeeper Nick West was the hero of the day as Droitwich Spa beat Tipton Town Reserves 5-3 on penalties to reach the Midland Combination Challenge Vase semi-final. West, brought in at the last minute due to regular stopper Simon Williams' work
MIDLAND Combination division one leaders Barnt Green Spartak lost only their third league match of the season as they were beaten 3-0 at mid-table Stockingford AA. GJ Singh's side had their chances to score but saw Delroy Brown miss twice in the first
DEAN Smith scored both goals as Fairfield Villa picked up three points with a 2-1 home victory over Burntwood Town. Villa, fielding the same team in successive games for the first time this season, took an early grip on the game and went close on several
CHRIS Hartshorne's late penalty salvaged a point for Droitwich Spa A in their 4-4 home draw with Langland Sports last Saturday. Spa started well with Jake Elvins finishing off an excellent move to put the hosts ahead, but slack marking allowed Langland
FAIRFIELD Villa Ladies won 3-1 under floodlights at Banbury last Sunday. Villa took the lead after 20 minutes through Kaye Mason and increased their lead with a well-taken goal by Anna Morgan. Banbury pulled one back just before half time but an excellent
BROMSGROVE RFC First XV lost their advantage in the Midlands Two (West) title race with a rare 22-22 draw at Barkers Butts. Dean Ball's side, who had put themselves in pole position with a 22-21 defeat of Derby last week, still head the table by a point
BROMSGROVE Colts crashed out of the North Midlands Cup at the first hurdle in emphatic fashion as an outstanding Birmingham University side thrashed them 67-0 last Sunday.
DEAR EDITOR -- Yes, the Government has surely done the right thing making the use of hand-held mobile phones whilst driving an offence. However a new and comparatively similar hazard has now begun! Over the past few days I have had quite a number of '
DEAR EDITOR -- Does anyone have any information on the Bishop family who came from Severn Stoke in Worcestershire. They were Lucy, Emily and Henry - who was in the Army in 1881. He had a son, also named Henry, who was a shoe repairer. Lucy had a daughter
DEAR EDITOR -- The Government is currently bringing in legislation regarding credit laws in relation to borrowing, to clearly outline the small print which lenders often do not wish the customers to know. I would be grateful if your paper would again
DEAR EDITOR - Police fighting terrorism, what chance? They can't even sort out the problem of marauding skate boarders. Sunday afternoon saw a woman knocked to the ground and another pushed and dropped her parcels in our shopping centre outside Droitwich's
DEAR EDITOR - Why have traffic and pedestrian lights been erected on the Worcester Road outside Bromsgrove School? I travel that road many times a week and have never seen them in use. A year and a half ago, parents had a protest about charging pupils
Spartans 19 Alcester 6 For the second successive week Alcester ran out gallant losers against one of the league's top two teams. But the result means Alcester will face a fight to preserve their Warwickshire One status. The visitors were caught napping
A BROMSGROVE stage will be paved with gold later this month with an original production of Dick Whittington. Festive folk have just one opportunity to catch the thigh-slapping musical, which has been penned and directed by multi-talented townsman Wayne
A BEOLEY packing and storage company is celebrating winning £800,000 of new business through its innovative distribution service. The scheme enables suppliers and retailers to use Oakland as a consolidation centre before several manufacturers' products
IF your New Year's resolution is to brush up on your creative skills, then a series of art classes being launched in Droitwich Spa could be just for you. Professional artist Neill Lowdon is heading up three new classes at the Old Library, in Ombersley
FATHER Christmas will be calling for mulled wine and mince pies at Hartlebury Castle this Sunday. The county museum is holding a festive day between 1 and 5pm where visitors can meet the man himself and stock up on Christmas goodies at the gift shop.
BEFORE lecturing us on having "little idea who or what" we are voting for, John Hinton should get his own house in order. St John's residents are all too well aware that on February 11 this year, Worcestershire County Council's Planning Committee granted
NOT content with sending our forces out to Iraq with inferior equipment unsuitable for desert warfare, I read in the national Press that the Ministry of Defence is now refusing to forward Christmas parcels donated by firms and charities to our forces
UKIP constantly complains of the danger of takeover of this country by Europe, while ignoring the very real point that emanates from USA. British foreign policy is dictated by America, while the food we eat, the clothes we wear, the games we play, are
A LUCKY Lickey End woman is celebrating hitting the jackpot in a game of cards. Carol Everton of School Lane is looking forward to a very merry Christmas after scooping $20,000, roughly £11,600, in a game of poker. Carol won the 150 Pot Limit game at
CHILDREN at Charford First School enjoyed a spot of spadework when they cleaned up the school pond. The school received a £300 grant from the Duckworth Trust to redevelop the pond but it was the youngsters themselves who carried out the work. The pupils
A HUNKY Charford man has scooped a place in the finals of a national magazine's quest to find the hottest men in the UK. himself as a Mr More 2003 contestant. Mark Houghton, aged 23, of Austin Road, has got through to the final 16 contestants of Mars
A BLOOMING good idea will have Bromsgrove springing into action next year. The district council is preparing for spring 2004 by planting more than 90,000 mixed bulbs of daffodils and narcissus. Head of community safety and engineering John Moody said:
A NEW £185,000 meeting room has opened in a Bromsgrove village. The Rt Rev John Sentamu, Bishop for Birmingham, opened the Wheel, as the room is known, at St Catherine's Church, Blackwell. The new community room, which took five months to build, was paid
CHRISTMAS is a time for reflection, a time for looking back on years gone by, with a touch of sentimentality, writes Emily Bridgewater. This season, however, shoppers will find themselves feeling more nostalgic than ever with a crop of retro-toys finding
ARMED with a just a guitar, a keyboard and a ton of goodwill, a Rubery couple have raised more than £500 for the George Mitchell Appeal Fund. William Stevens, Mary Bricknall and their pet dog bombarded shoppers with festive songs outside Safeway in Great
ENERGETIC residents who saddled up for a worthwhile cause have raised a whopping £19,500. Almost all of the money pledged by people who took part in the North Worcestershire Bikeathon, in aid of the Leukaemia Research Fund, has now been collected. "We
MONDAY'S Downing Street reception to honour England's victorious rugby world cup heroes triggered an unexpected and potentially lucrative spin-off for Bromsgrove. The town's MP Julie Kirkbride, the shadow minister for sport, culture and media, who is
THEATRICAL Spa youngsters took centre stage this week when they performed their Christmas pantomime for family and friends. Children from Cutnall Green First School in School Road performed Red Riding Hood -The Sequel on Monday and Tuesday this week and
A DROITWICH councillor has returned home to love and support after suffering a heart attack. Cllr Janet Clarke (Lib-Dem-South West) is on the road to recovery, relaxing with her husband and son after being rushed to Worcester Royal Hospital at the end
by LISA HERITAGE DOMESTIC violence was highlighted in a one-day visit to the Spa by Solicitor General, Harriet Harman. Ms Harman visited the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in Heritage Way on Monday, to see how it handles domestics, rapes and victims
PENNIES are still rolling in for charity thanks to a feast of festive fun at a town store this weekend. Cedric the dragon made his appearance at the Peacocks store in Salters shopping centre in aid of The National Children's Homes charity on Friday, December
A PRICE hike is being proposed on leisure services in Bromsgrove. Activities at venues including the town's popular Dolphin Centre, in School Drive, are set to rise, as are some sporting facilities in Sanders Park and the use of other recreation grounds
CARING volunteers are urgently needed to help patients in Bromsgrove readjust to everyday life in their own homes after a spell in hospital. The service, which is coming under increased pressure as more people make use of it, is called Red Cross Home
A TOWN councillor is urging the elderly to take precautionary measures when approached by carol singers this year. Councillor John Cook (Lab-West) has received many concerns from residents who are being asked for money by carol singers. He said: "I am
TOWN leaders have vowed not to give up their fight to stop mobile phone companies erecting more transmitter masts in the Spa. Wychavon District Council gave planning permission to place a 17.8m third generation (3G) phone mast at The Weighbridge in Union
FANS are in for a bit of a shock if they are expecting an album along the same lines as The Man Who or The Invisible Band. Travis were never the happiest of bands on the block, what with tunes like Why Does It Always Rain On Me?, but 12 Memories shows
UNDOUBTEDLY, this album is worthy and wonderful, but I just didn't enjoy it very much. It's already being hailed as a classic, and one of the only CDs you need in your collection, but it didn't move me at all. Perhaps I'm still looking for another Falling
FOR a career forged from mostly cover versions, Joe Cocker's has been a remarkably successful one. Three-and-a-half decades after his superb rendition of the Beatles With A Little Help From My Friends, he's still going strong, still touring and gruffer
MORE than 200 youngsters braved cold and muddy conditions to compete in the annual District Cross Country Championships. Runners from U11s to U17s level completed laps around playing fields at Bromsgrove School, in Worcester Road, last Wednesday. Competitors
IT WAS an inspiring start to the festive season as Music Maker took to the stage for their Christmas concert 2003 entitled Christmas Starts Here and so it did. The concert coincided with the release of their latest CD 'Gift Wrapped' featuring their own
BARNT Green A had an easy 8-2 win at West Midland Phones A in the Bromsgrove and Redditch League after Pat McCabe won all his games. Elsewhere in division one, SPSP went down 10-0 at home to Astwood Bank and Droitwich Spa A lost 6-4 to Carter Retail A
WE face a huge game on Saturday against Crawley Town and we've a score to settle after they beat us 4-0 back in August. On the day we were disappointing but you have to give them credit too because they were excellent. Revenge will no doubt be in the
LATEST action from the Droitwich and District League. Results for Tuesday, December 2, 2003 Division One BUC A 3 CWMC A 2; AFSC A 3 MILL B 2; BRBL B 2 BPC A 3; BLC A 4 MILL A 1; CWMC C 2 AFSC C 3. Division Two DSC B 2 DGC A 3; BPC B 2 AFSC D 4; BHWC A
A 38-year-old Birmingham man has been charged with the murder of a Redditch father of four who was stabbed to death in Alcester at the weekend. Paul Hunt, of Lea Hall Road, Kitts Green, Birmingham will appear before Mid Warwickshire magistrates at Leamington
THE wife of a Redditch man stabbed to death in Alcester on Saturday morning has paid tribute to her 'great and gentle man'. Father-of-four Alexander Stephen Jones, 39, of Wishaw Close, Greenlands, was stabbed several times at about 1.30am in Bleachfield
ABOUT 50 youngsters were picked up during a three-week truancy sweep across Redditch. Police and the county council's education welfare team joined forces to carry out 10 sweeps in different areas of the town. More were done in Redditch than anywhere
RESIDENTS in the town centre responded so well to a clean-up operation on Saturday Redditch Council could not cope with the amount of refuse they were given to take away. Police, the council and Smallwood Alliance joined forces to tackle the litter and
THE town's first 24-hour emergency accommodation unit will open its doors in the first week of January, it has been announced. Homeless charity Step Out Drop In (SODI) has injected £500,000 into creating the nine-bedroom unit called Bredon House in Lakeside
DESPITE being offered a chance to find out the true feelings of the town's people via the ballot box, the Tories ran away from democracy and imposed a 30 pence bus fare on the elderly and disabled for every journey they make. Councillor Pat Wilson said
PERHAPS I might reply to the propaganda promoted by Stephen Smith (Letters, December 3). The Stop the War Coalition is led by the Socialist Workers Party with a little help from the Muslim Association of Britain. One of the leading lights in the former
HINDSIGHT is a wonderful thing and it is used to poignant effect in J B Priestley's Time and the Conways. A boisterous 21st birthday party for one of the Conway girls, held in a carefree post-Great War Britain in 1919, gives little indication of the troubled
I WOULD like to endorse and thank Rev Andy Kelso for putting into words the issues that some of us find hard to express. As committed Christians, we know from experience that the law of God learned from the Bible has kept us personally, and this country
On Friday, I visited the Alexandra Hospital to talk to the chairman and chief executive of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust. This is one of my regular meetings to see how the hospital is performing. It gives me the chance to discuss issues raised
YOUNGSTERS and parents are being urged to follow some simple crime prevention tips to keep new bicycles safe over Christmas. A West Mercia police spokesman said: "Bikes are very popular Christmas presents and there is nothing more disappointing than the
PUPILS from four Redditch schools have been picked out of the hat for prizes in Worcestershire Trading Standards CitizenCard competition. And lucky Katherine Snape, from Dingleside Middleside School, scooped the top prize in the event, which was held
NOVEMBER was a busy month for the Malvern & Worcester group. The AGM took place at Osbourne Court in Malvern. There was a change of chairman and the committee was reduced to five members because of the lack of volunteers. A proposal was put forward
THE November meeting was the AGM, chaired by Lynn Parr with WI adviser Marjory Whiting in attendance to assist at the elections. Lynn wished to stand down from the presidency, a position held for three years. She thanked everyone who had worked with her
THE speaker at the November 13 meeting was Mary Smith with a talk entitled Table Manners. She started by explaining how people ate in Norman times. The main meal was served at 11am; no forks were used, only knives and fingers. There were no potatoes,
THE November 28 meeting was a memorable talk by Keith Cattell entitled One Thousand Years of Stained Glass. He extolled its secret and mysterious quality and explained the complex compositions of stained and painted glass. The slides included Augsburg
Compliments of the season was the title of a talk and slide show given to the society by Mr Frank Townsend, of Malvern, on the November 28. Mr Townsend's presentation was centred on the history of the Christmas Greetings card but in fact encompassed the
FUNDRAISERS took to the roads in memory of an Alvechurch teenager who tragically lost his battle with leukaemia three years ago. People from all over the county gathered for a 15-mile walkathon via Bromsgrove on Saturday in memory of Michael Edwin, who
THE new Oak Hill First School has had a positive report following a recent Ofsted inspection. The inspector praised the high quality of leadership, commitment of staff, the rich and varied curriculum and good extra curricular activities. The report said
A REDDITCH group calling for fair trade with Third World countries has gained the backing of MP Jacqui Smith. Ms Smith, who is also Minister of State for Industry and the Regions, met members of the Redditch Trade Justice Group last month. They were lobbying
THEY say home is where the heart is and for one former Carnival Queen, it's always been Redditch. Millicent Shillaber has spent a lifetime in showbusiness mixing with the great and the good but now, aged 79, she has returned to her roots. Millicent was
ALCESTRIANS are still in shock after a man was stabbed to death in the town centre. People were Christmas shopping on Monday as other residents laid flowers next to the blood-stained spot where 39-year-old Redditch father of four Alexander Jones was stabbed
DOG owners who let their pets foul public areas in Alcester will now face a hefty fine. Stratford Council has put warning signs up across the district advising irresponsible owners to clean up their pets' mess or risk prosecution with a £1,000 fine. Powers
WARWICKSHIRE police chief John Burbeck was in Bidford on Friday to officially open the new community police office. The base, the first of its kind in the county, is in the new state-of-the-art Bidford Library, Bramley Way, and heralds a new partnership
BUSINESSES in Worcestershire should benefit from the new M6 toll road, which opened yesterday, according to a leading business organisation. The Confederation of West Midlands Chambers of Commerce, which represents the Chamber of Commerce, Herefordshire
TWO young businesswomen are hoping to reel the customers in with their new venture. Vanessa Champken and Tracy Philpott have set up a new hairdressing salon in The Shambles Market Hall - in the same unit that housed the famous fishmongers for half a century
JOIN in the festive fun at the Palace Theatre's panto Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs with Dame Dolly Dumpling (Simon Howe), Snow White (Rosie Jenkins) and The Wicked Queen (Key Purcell, from Emmerdale). Tickets are selling fast for the production, which
JOHN Brain insists Jim Jenner and Co don't hold any fears for Worcester Rugby Club. The Sixways director of rugby takes his side to Pertemps Bees on Saturday with Jenner, Craig Chalmers and Tom Richardson desperate to shoot down Worcester's promotion
MALVERN Town extended their lead at the top of the Express and Star West Midlands League Premier Division table to seven points, following a second successive win against Heath Hayes at the Langland Stadium on Saturday. MALVERN TOWN 2, HEATH HAYES 1 Town's
NAKED joggers have caused a stir after being seen running through the freezing Worcestershire countryside. A driver making early morning deliveries has spotted the runners three times on Castlemorton Common, near Malvern. At first, it was a middle-aged
A DRIVER was punched in the face after overtaking another motorist in Bretforton, near Evesham. The victim passed the red Vauxhall Astra at 5.40pm yesterday in Weston Road. But the driver followed him, flashing his headlights until the man stopped and
A MOTHER-of-four admitted swindling more than £300 in social security benefits in two months. Amanda Parslow, of Wensleydale Drive, in Blackpole, Worcester, began illegally claiming cash from the DHSS after she took a full-time job in February 2002. She
THE victims of yesterday's A449 crash have been named by police. They are Michael Jennings, aged 22, and Billy Hall, aged 19, both from Ombersley. Mr Hall was driving the Ford Fiesta when it crashed into a tree on the A449 Worcester to Kidderminster dual
ASPIRING Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaires in Droitwich are being urged to take a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn to dance at the hands of a professional. Three times Come Dancing champion Dawn Westwood is to hold a 10-week salsa class in the town
DISAPPOINTED city residents are perplexed after two of Worcester's best-loved Nativity scenes have disappeared from their usual sites. The life-like display normally found outside the Guildhall, which is owned by Churches Together in Worcester, has been
THE sounds of Bob Marley, Led Zeppelin and Elvis Presley will fill Worcester's High Street as users of a centre for the homeless hold a fund-raising busking session. Three people from Maggs Day Centre, on Deansway, Worcester will be joined by centre staff
THE English Symphony Orchestra has sent out a seasonal invitation across the county for whole families to celebrate Christmas in style with their fun, seasonal concert, A Christmas Cracker! The concert will be staged at The Forum, Malvern Theatres, on
THE winter concert season at St John's Parish Church is rounded off with a final seasonal spectacular this weekend. A selection of town choirs and the City of Birmingham Sinfonia will perform Handel's Messiah at the church this Sunday. The concert starts
TWO little boys are hoping their Christmas wish for a new family will come true. Jamie, aged six, and his five-year-old brother Chris, are currently being cared for by Derby City Council social services but are hoping to find an adoptive family soon.
A GLASS of wine and a mince pie will accompany a delightful festive concert in Tardebigge next week. The Grafton Singers will be performing their Christmas concert at St Bartholomew's Church in Church Lane on Saturday, December 20, from 7.30pm. Tickets
THE Fitzwilliam Quartet will be performing a medley of classical music at the Guesten Hall in Bromsgrove tonight (Wednesday). Beautiful compositions by Liz Johnson, Jeremy Thurlow and Matthew King will be played by the talented foursome at the hall, situated
AN artistic pensioner has painted a picture for a campaign to plant thousands of daffodils in memory of those who have lost their lives to cancer. Seventy-eight-year-old Mollie Harrison, of Bransford Road, St John's, Worcester, was asked by Marie Curie
DONATIONS of shoeboxes from generous people in Worcestershire have been among the first batch to be distributed to underprivileged children in Eastern Europe. The Samaritan's Purse has sent around 250,000 boxes as part of its annual Operation Christmas
NOISE from the M5 motorway is so bad on a Kempsey farm that it disturbs a family's sleep and prevents them from sitting in the garden. Farmer Richard Williams is so fed up with the disturbance that he wants to build a 15ft-high soil bund along approximately
A KIND-hearted woman will be continuing her voluntary work with youngsters, despite retiring as chairman for the Worcestershire branch of the National Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC). Sandy Ellis, a mother of two from Eckington
Saturday, December 6, 2003 IN the end it was a tale of missed chances. Both sides had opportunities to take three points from this Dr Martens Western fixture, but neither were able to take them. Mark Benbow came the closest by hitting the post for the
THE on-going saga that is Bromsgrove Rovers against Cinderford Town has taken yet another twist. The clubs' Dr Martens League Cup second round tie has been brought forward 24 hours and will be played at Cinderford next Monday, December 15 (7.45pm). The
A FIVE-year-old boy was kicked in the stomach by a woman in broad daylight on Saturday in what police are calling a racist attack. The woman claimed she had been hit by a twig which the boy was playing with as he and his mother and her two other children
A WINYATES man has described men who tried to break into his car - and returned two hours later after being disturbed - as 'mindless morons too idle to get a job'. Geoffrey Pedley, of Winforton Close, said he heard the alarm on his Rover at about midnight
AN awesome display saw Droitwich Spa Hockey Club Ladies First XI dismantle Camp Hill 14-0 last Saturday. Spa hit ten goals in the second half as they cruised to one of their largest ever victories in a Worcester League division one match. Hannah Deacon
NICK Frizzell scored a late penalty flick to give Bromsgrove Hockey Club Men's First XI a 3-2 home victory against Barlaston. Last Saturday's result leaves Julian Court's side in clear second place in West Midlands division one with one game left at third
DROITWICH Spa Hockey Club Men's First XI go in search of their first away victory of the season this Saturday with a trip to Barlaston. The match is Barry Williams' side's last game before the Christmas break and comes on the back of a last gasp 3-3 home
AMBITIOUS Redditch United are already planning for life after a possible promotion ... by closing in on highly-rated striker Scott Voice. Coach Gary Whild has confirmed that United are in talks to bring the 27-year-old frontman to The Valley from Dr Martens
HUNDREDS of people in Redditch who are entitled to cash benefits are missing out because they do not consider themselves to be carers. Last week, charity Carers UK published a report which claimed about £660 million was going unclaimed because people
IT'S becoming harder to fathom this Worcester City side by the week. One step forwards, three steps sideways and two steps back seems to be the pattern as they stumble from one match to the next scaling new heights for inconsistency. Just when they seem
REDDITCH residents whose first language is not English can now access more council services thanks to the Ethnic Access Link (EAL) 'signposting' service. Redditch Council subscribed to the signposting service in July and so far, it has helped a number
FORMER Liverpool and Coventry star David Burrows has been the inspiration behind Studley's mean defence this season. The Bees climbed up to fourth in the Midland Football Alliance following their 1-0 victory over high-flying Bridgnorth on Saturday which
A £1 million project to replace hundreds of windows and doors in Redditch Council properties is to be reviewed and replaced with another scheme costing almost £350,000 less. The new scheme will cost about £665,000 and involves, in some cases, replacing
FEARS somebody will get hurt near the bus station have prompted Redditch Council to call for highway bosses to take urgent action to improve pedestrian access. At a full Redditch Council meeting on Monday, a 442-signature petition was submitted. Residents
Bedworth Utd 0 Redditch Utd 1 STRIKER Richard Leadbeater came off the bench and elevated himself to hero status with Redditch United fans by notching the winner at The Oval. Leadbeater, who had been relegated to the bench despite scoring a glut of goals
Razzle-Dazzle musical Chicago arrives at Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre on Tuesday. It stars former Wet Wet Wet frontman Marti Pellow as Billy Flynn, following his critically acclaimed triumph playing the part in the West End show. The musical is choreographed
Feckenham 6 Meir KA 3 FECKENHAM boss Lee Adams was full of praise for his 'assist men' after his side's dramatic Challenge Cup victory. Veteran striker Steve Ferguson grabbed five goals - including an extra-time hat-trick - but Adams believed that the
IMPRESSIONIST, actor, comedian and founder member of Spitting Image Steve Nallon premieres his new one-man version of Dickens' A Christmas Carol at Birmingham Repertory Theatre's The Door this week. Using his vast array of comic and celebrity voices,
Thursday, December 11 Steve Nallon's Christmas Carol, The Door, Birmingham Repertory Theatre. Until January 3. Tickets from 0121 236 4455. Abba Mania, Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham. Until December 13. Tickets from 0870 607 7533. The Wizard of Ox by L
THE Uniroyal factory at Stoke Works had been sold to Bayer UK in a deal worth £2.4m. All 136 staff would be kept on. The move gave Bayer its first major synthetic rubber plant in the UK. BROMSGROVE farmer Ted Morris wanted to convert his land at Slideslow
JOHN Brain insists Jim Jenner and Co don't hold any fears for Worcester Rugby Club. The Sixways director of rugby takes his side to Pertemps Bees on Saturday with Jenner, Craig Chalmers and Tom Richardson desperate to shoot down Worcester's promotion
JAI Stanley is keeping his fingers crossed he will be available for Worcester City's home clash with Crawley Town on Saturday. The midfielder tweaked his knee in Monday's Dr Martens League Cup victory with Sutton Coldfield Town. "It was sore yesterday
Perfect weather conditions for Worcester Triathlon Club's annual Aquathlon race produced fast race times. The race was held at the Sansome Walk Swimming Pool and Leisure Centre, Worcester. The distance was a 400m pool swim followed by a two lap 5km road
Birdseye Sports Evesham Sunday League Division Four leaders Hampton WMC reached the last 16 of a cup competition for the third time this season, with an emphatic win over Lower Moor United in the Evesham Mechanical Services Subsidiary Cup. Leading 2-1
SEEING England parade the rugby World Cup through the streets of London on Monday brought back memories of an extraordinary journey for two Bromsgrove School students. Ben Gimson (pictured), aged 15, and Ted Harwood, aged 14, were among thousands of English
BROMSGROVE RFC First XV lost their advantage in the Midlands Two (West) title race with a rare 22-22 draw at Barkers Butts. Dean Ball's side, who had put themselves in pole position with a 22-21 defeat of Derby last week, still head the table by a point
* (I) indicates Internet entries TICKETS to the Clothes Show at the NEC, Birmingham on December 6 were won by Miss R Adams, Oldnall Road, Kidderminster; Karen Britten, Glaisdale Close, Nottingham (I), Mrs J Fraser, Mill Lane, Wolverley; Miss MM Hall,
MALVERN'S visit to erstwhile table-toppers Derby had been supplemented by intelligence on how to play them up front and restrict their options. DERBY 44pts, MALVERN 10pts Unfortunately, Derby resisted performing to the same script as Malvern, who looked
NEW legislation which could see doctors jailed for up to three years if they illegally retain patients' body parts after death is going through Parliament. Here, Lisa Cresswell, of Worcester, who discovered the majority of her three-year-old son's organs
DROITWICH Spa RFC First XV's honeymoon period in Midlands Three West (South) was brought to an abrupt end with a 22-0 defeat at rivals Pershore. The result halts a run of six straight league victories, stretching back to early October, and moves the team
LATEST results from the Central Sports Redditch and South Warwickshire Combination. Keith Turner Cup Black Horse 2 South Redditch 0; Sherwood Rangers 3 Bromsgrove General 2; Mettis Aerospace Sunday 0 Austin Ex Apprentices 2. BSA Cup Thomas Bros 3 OTWI
ADVERTISER/Messenger League results for Sunday, December 7, 2003. LMS Shield Quarter Final Star and Garter 2 Bromsgrove Town 1; Dog and Pheasant 2 Cofton Celtic 1. Division One New Olympic 4 Ringspanners 0; Intersports 6 Meadow Park 0. Division Two Crown
A REFEREE course is due to start in Droitwich Spa next month. The Worcestershire Football Association plans to run sessions from Friday, January 9 at 7pm at their De Salis Drive headquarters on the Hampton Lovatt Industrial Estate. In two parts, the first
TWO goals from Connor Wheatley and Oliver Grace gave Bromsgrove Town U7s victory in a mini tournament. Town defeated Headless Cross 1-0 in the first round and beat Rubery Juniors 3-1 in the final. Alvechurch were also involved. Churchill U14s 0 Hanbury
THIS week saw the start of the Tuesday Starlets Veterans individual winter league which was held at Woodland View's Arles and High pools. Making a good start to the series was Peter Taylor (Alvechurch) who pole fished red maggots to the island from Arles
DEAR EDITOR - Further to your headline in last week's Advertiser/Messenger, may we add our suggestions to the growing list. Namely, that Bromsgrove tries to attract Marks and Spencer or Sainsbury's to invest in the town. With the increasing importance
DEAR EDITOR - On reading the front page of the Advertiser/Messenger last week I was quite excited about Bromsgrove being improved - about time! I thought I would send you my thoughts as my husband and I are always talking about what Bromsgrove could really
DEAR EDITOR - Your excellent front page article last week lists several 'Dreams for the future' and requests readers to send you their thoughts. In this spirit here is one of mine -- When the A38 trunk road traffic was removed the major part of Bromsgrove
DEAR EDITOR - I have to agree with 'Shell Shocked' who wrote in to last week's paper.Fireworks should be banned. They appear to be on sale for most of the year, used without thought or consideration for other people . . . . New Year, birthdays, weddings
DEAR EDITOR -- With regard to the new car park at ASDA, Bromsgrove, which was described on the letter page of December 3, 2003 as "A big boost". Having used it twice in the last week, I would prefer to describe it as an accident waiting to happen. It
DEAR EDITOR - As a pensioner I recently received a letter from the council stating it was currently looking at the bus pass scheme and would welcome my comments. The scheme was started when the Labour Party was in power in Bromsgrove and was heading towards
Kings Norton 13 Old Griffs 14 A missed conversion in the dying minutes by skipper Pete May handed the league points to Griffs in this encounter. But although the scoreline may suggest a close game, the visitors dominated for large periods of this match
TOWN moved into the Third Round of the Smedley Crooke Memorial Charity Cup with this comfortable success at home to Alveston on Tuesday night. MALVERN TOWN 4, ALVESTON 1 On a bitterly cold, misty evening Town, showing a number of changes from the side
A REDDITCH company has received an award for excellence in providing access for the disabled. Mouzer Employment Consultancy was one of eight organisations to be given the Access All Areas award for its innovative and committed approach to disabled customers
Saturday, December 6, 2003 BROMSGROVE RFC First XV lost their advantage in the Midlands Two (West) title race with a rare draw at Barkers Butts. Dean Ball's side, who had put themselves in pole position with a 22-21 defeat of Derby last week, still head
A REDDITCH fastener company is taking to the air with some of its products. Protex, Arrow Road, has seen several of its quick-action fasteners employed by makers of wing and tail dollies, which protect aircraft while being manoeuvred on the ground. The
A DELEGATION of Pakistan's top textile manufacturers and the country's Consulate General visited a Redditch engineering firm recently. The group made the trip to see CompAir's Redditch plant to build on a growing relationship between the firm and industry
BADGER Nurseries in Mappleborough Green celebrated the recent success of a member of staff in gaining a Horticultural Traders' Association (HTA) award. Ann Newman was the proud recipient of a certificate marking her Retail Plant Care Award, which she
MELANIE Hall tells us (Evening News, Thursday, November 20) that the corset is back. Course it is. GEORGE COWLEY, Warndon, Worcester. ... knickers GEORGE Cowley writes of seeing knickers nowadays... so where did he see them formerly? We should be told
Wednesday, December 10 Film: The Singing Detective, Cinemac, mac, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, 6pm. Pantomime: Snow White and the Severn Dwarfs, Palace Theatre, Alcester Street, Redditch. Until January 4. Pantomime: Dick Whittington, The Swan Theatre
I WOULD like to thank all concerned who took part in Bishop Perowne's exciting and impressive production of Jesus Christ Superstar. The cast excelled themselves and there were some star performances, all accompanied by an exhilarating band of musicians
E F Showell (You Say, Friday, November 28) doubts whether the UK Independence Party could ever form a government. Our task would be more difficult than that of a government formed from any other party because we would be formulating our own policy and
THRIFTY shoppers will find goodies galore at a Christmas fair in Barnt Green this weekend. There will be something for everyone, including face painting, gifts and body art, at the St Andrew's First School seasonal bazaar this Saturday. And hunger will
CHRISTMAS has come early for one Bromsgrove household which is raising cash for a good cause. Norman Clarke has transformed the outside of his Wrekin Drive, Lowes Hill, home into a winter wonderland with thousands of twinkling lights and festive features
JAI Stanley is keeping his fingers crossed he will be available for Worcester City's home clash with Crawley Town on Saturday. The midfielder tweaked his knee in Monday's Dr Martens League Cup victory with Sutton Coldfield Town. "It was sore yesterday
JAYNE Eyre, Winnie the Pooh and Wuthering Heights are just some of the books whipping well-read Rubery students into a frenzy. Pupils at Waseley Hills High, in School Road, are enjoying a three-week celebration of literature in line with BBC Two's The
TALENTED Rubery youngsters hit the high note when they took part in the world's biggest sing. Around 230 pupils from Beaconside Primary School, in Hazel Road, took part in the contest. They hope to raise £200 for Sargent Cancer Care for Children from
HERE'S to Mrs Robinson, also known as Glynis Barber, who was simply sensational in this production. I'd heard a lot in advance about how much or little flesh would be on show, but Ms Barber oozed sophisticated sex at the right times, whilst giving a well-rounded
THE VIOLENT attack on a "lovable" family man, left for dead behind a town centre bank, has left friends and staff at a Spa pub stunned and upset. Stephen Halsall, 37 of Albert Street, Droitwich yesterday regained consciousness in Worcester Royal Hospital
FREE car parking in Bromsgrove in the run-up to the festive season could be banished to Christmas past by next year. Scrooges on Bromsgrove District Council's executive cabinet discussed ending the yearly free parking, which shoppers enjoy on the three
FIVE former Tory district councillors who resigned from the ruling group on Bromsgrove District Council have been branded "opportunists" and egotists whose objective is to bring down the Conservative group. As predicted in last week's Advertiser/Messenger
A BROMSGROVE policeman and traffic warden have scooped top awards in a prestigious ceremony. PC Gary Mole and traffic warden Roy Gibson will be presented with their accolades at West Mercia Constabulary's annual force awards ceremony this Friday. Chief
A PROPERTY developer who threw a glass of wine in his wife's face has been given an absolute discharge by a judge at Worcester Crown Court. Duncan Brown, aged 32, of Harbours Hill, Wildmoor, Bromsgrove, pleaded guilty to common assault. Supporters in
LATE night shoppers can wave goodbye to free car parking after 7pm, come the New Year. Bromsgrove District Council's executive cabinet agreed to extend the charging period for the all its car parks as of February 1. All council car parks currently charge
A COMMUNITY leader has hit out at the provision for youngsters in Rubery after village youth club sessions were slashed from four per week to just one. Councillor Peter McDonald (Lab-Waseley) said he was not surprised young people hung around the streets
TWO men were pronounced dead at the scene following a tragic car accident near Ombersley yesterday morning. The bodies of a male driver and male passenger of a green Ford Fiesta were freed by firemen after a collision with a tree near the Claines roundabout
A FUN-LOVING family is putting the sparkle back into Christmas with a grand display of lights to raise cash for charity. John and Louise Farrell of Manning Road, Droitwich have decorated the outside of their house for the past six Christmases. But this
A BID by Safeway to extend its Droitwich supermarket has fuelled speculations of a stores war. The chain wants to extend the sales floor of its St Andrew's Square branch by more than half. Safeway's plans were revealed the same week another supermarket
A CHRISTMAS extravaganza kept residents young and old entertained at the weekend. Hanbury First School held its festive fayre in School Road on Saturday. A selection of crafts, nail art, home made cakes, face painting and lots of fun activity stalls,
A COMMUNITY-spirited Spa resident has been given the deserved title of the Advertiser Citizen of the Month. Sue Poyer of Oakland Avenue has devoted time and effort to the Droitwich community for the past 25 years. Sue, 55, works for Droitwich Spa &
SENIOR SPA residents brought a little sunshine into the town when they held a Caribbean style Christmas lunch. Members of Droitwich Spa Area Forum's Stay Young club donned bright clothes and garlands to celebrate in style. They tucked into traditional
I'M NOT sure of the reason for the album's title, but maybe it has something to do with the fact that all the tracks last just over seven minutes long. Which is great news for Enrique's fans because this album continues his tried and trusted formula,
A POWERFUL display from 17-year-old Michael Pardoe concluded an entertaining evening of amateur boxing by Droitwich Amateur Boxing Club. A packed crowd saw ten hard-fought contests at Stoke Prior Sports and Country Club last Friday although bouts involving
SEVERAL Bromsgrove Olympique Cycling Club riders were honoured in a presentation evening for their results during the 2002/03 British Schools Cycling Association season. Jason Dingley was runner-up in the West Midlands Best All Rounder U8s boys while
THE council meeting on Monday, December 1, saw the Conservative group use all their votes to kill off free bus travel for pensioners and the disabled in Redditch after 20 years. They claim that because free travel would not help those elderly and disabled
REDDITCH is leading the way with a pioneering project aimed at reducing the number of criminal cases dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service. The Charging Scheme has been set up as a pilot to help police officers deal with cases more efficiently to ensure
THE mother of a two-year-old Redditch girl who died from 'flu has spoken movingly about her tomboy daughter who was happiest playing with cars. Tamzin Griffith's funeral took place at Redditch Crematorium on Friday. She was buried with her favourite blanket
THE devastated family of a baby boy who tragically died from meningococcal meningitis have praised staff at the Alexandra Hospital who battled for hours to save him. Ten-week-old Braydon Higgitt showed no signs of being ill until the morning of Sunday
ORIGINAL plans to move a town centre taxi rank have been ditched after a U-turn by Redditch Council on Monday night. The proposal to move the rank from Unicorn Hill to Bates Hill met with safety concerns and strong objections from taxi drivers, who took
HAVING just read Rev Kelso's letter, 'Government is eroding marriage' (Advertiser, December 3), I am filled with a mixture of confusion and disgust. Firstly confusion in the fact that his letter had no real point and just seemed to be a means of venting
CONTROVERSIAL school league tables were published by the Government last week despite calls by many teachers for them to be abolished. It could, indeed, be the last year for the tables as the National Union of Teachers ballots members on whether to boycott
I AM writing to express my anger at all Conservative councillors who voted to cancel our free bus passes. Putting 30 pence on each journey for us is just plain crazy as this means that if and when we get a small rise in our pensions in April, this rise
THE developers of the Abbey Stadium have taken their assessment of the traffic on the A441 and decided that a bypass is not necessary and all the road problems will be solved by a set of traffic lights on the Sainsbury's island (Advertiser, December 3
WHERE is our nativity scene that used to be displayed in the centre of town? What have polar bears got to do with Christmas? The very word Christmas means "the feast of Christ". It is certainly not the once-a-year spending spree it has now become. A long
A CELEBRATION assembly was held on Friday at Oak Hill First School to congratulate a much-loved dinner lady who has served up 25 years of work. Margaret Bonham was presented with a long service award from Worcestershire County Council - a Royal Worcester
REDDITCH police are asking people to think ahead as the Christmas party season gets under way. Crime Risk Manager Pc Stan Baker has reminded people a few moments' forethought can make a real difference to personal safety and enjoyment. "If you're planning
THE November meeting was held at the home of Mrs Debbie Shuttleworth. Members enjoyed a demonstration by Janine Thomson when she iced and decorated a Christmas cake, which was later raffled and won by Margaret Bakewell. Thelma Woollerton won the monthly
THE November meeting was the AGM and belated harvest supper. The president reported how pleased she was with the effort for the Topsy Fund. Pauline Vining gave a comprehensive report on the autumn council meeting, at times very humorous but also very
Barbara Scane welcomed members to the 74th AGM and thanked Brenda Molloy for the beautiful flower arrangement. Mary Glaze and Barbara Scane had attended the autumn council meeting and listened to two very good speakers, Clive Wilkinson, Chief Officer
BROMSGROVE Rovers Supporters Society is keen to heal the rift between themselves and the football club. Relations between the two groups have broken down in recent months and the society want to put things right. The society approached the Advertiser/
THE most popular daytime TV show in Britain came to Ragley Hall, near Alcester, on Friday. BBC One's Bargain Hunt show was at the huge estate but there was no Duke in site as the dapper and debonair expert Tim Wonnacott took his place. Mr Wonnacott spent
PRESIDENT Brenda Dainty opened the November meeting with the sad news that member Betty Hague had died and a minute's silence was held. Reports were given of an enjoyable bingo evening held at the Shawhurst Community Centre and of the recent Christmas
THE society held its annual slide competition on November 25. The award for best landscape went to John Kettle. Len Pugh obtained awards for best natural history shot and best portrait. He also gained first place. Second and third places went to Ray Davis
A teacher has put an exciting display of her work on show at Redditch Library. Jane Brotherton's work features mixed media and textile work and also oils and watercolours. Miss Brotherton (pictured) graduated from university in London in 1992 before spending
THE Redditch frontman of a popular 90s band presented awards to Kingsley College students last week. Nigel Clark, who sang with the band Dodgy, had hits including Good Enough and Staying Out For The Summer. He recently returned to his home town and now
A REDDITCH headteacher was 'delighted' the mayor launched a new School Council. Ipsley Middle School pupils have been writing manifestos and campaigning to become school councillors and the council was opened by Kieth Boyd-Carpenter. There was a 100 per
A CHEF from a Redditch housing scheme has cooked up some national recognition for her culinary skills after scooping first place in a prestigious competition. Liz Forty has been preparing food for residents at Terry Spring Court, a care scheme run by
A FAULTY valve meant work to repair a leaking mains pipe spilling water down an embankment between Winyates and Matchborough centres had to be aborted. Residents were sent letters warning them they would be without water for 12 hours but water company
Saturday, December 6, 2003 DROITWICH Spa RFC First XV's honeymoon period in Midlands Three West (South) was brought to an abrupt end at rivals Pershore. The result halts a run of six straight league victories, stretching back to early October, and moves
CAMPAIGNERS against Tetra masts in Alcester have just launched a new website to put people in the know about more planned for the area. Alcester Community against Tetra (ACT) says there are an increasing number of health issues relating to the masts -
FOUR giant illuminated stars are once again set to shine out over Alvechurch during the festive season. The stars will be fixed to the top of St Laurence's Church tower and the switch-on ceremony takes place on Saturday. Alvechurch parishioners are invited
ALCESTER councillors have been given until mid-January to make a decision on whether to take control of the problematic dog walking area. Stratford Council has thrown down the gauntlet and offered the town council £3,000 for them to take over the land
ALCESTER Scouts will have a busy December delivering Christmas cards and the town council's brand new newsletter and town guide. The Scouts have already started delivering Alcester's Christmas post and the group is hoping to better last year's total of
WORCESTER-based energy company npower has been voted one of the top 50 business brands in the UK. The company, known for its sponsorship of test and county cricket, joins an elite group of household names, including Eurostar and British Airways. The firm
December 8, 1978 Hal Miller, Conservative MP for Redditch, asked the Home Secretary a question in the Commons last week to find out what steps were being taken to widen and improve the reception of BBC Radio Birmingham. The question was asked at the request
REDDITCH Round Table's Santa Sleigh starts its rounds this evening with a visit to Church Hill North. Father Christmas and his snowmen helpers look forward to meeting as many children as possible between now and December 21 - while raising as much money
December 11, 1953 When police sergeant H Wensley, of Redditch, retires at the end of this month, he will have completed 29 years' service with Worcestershire Constabulary. He retires officially on December 31st and on the following day he takes up his
A COUNTY health organisation is asking residents for their views on smoking in public - but says it is only a matter of time before the habit becomes widely unacceptable anyway. The Smoke-Free Worcestershire group is also encouraging people with strong
December 12, 1903 Redditch Petty Sessions - Indecent Language. William Pratt, labourer, Park Gate, Bromsgrove, was charged with using indecent language at Alvechurch on November 28th. Pc Bennett, who proved the case, said the offence arose out of a dispute
LIVE bands will be performing at The Tardebigge tomorrow as part of a new venture. Hot Rockin' Entertainments presents The Tardebigge Showcase, featuring local acts Kharma and Double Standard and Sex Pistols tribute band Essex Pistols. The gig is being
HELP the Aged is teaming up with older people's forums in Redditch and all over the country to demand the Government takes immediate action to stem the death of older people as a result of the cold weather. Last winter in England and Wales, 21,800 older
A FORMER Redditch resident is launching a house music club for people in the town. Chris Goodyer said he had spoken to many people in Redditch who felt there was nowhere where they could revel in the music they enjoy. With this in mind, he decided to
