Worcestershire | Archive | 2005 | March

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Stories for 16 March 2005

Leisure

Layer Cake (15)

WHEN a film is described as "stylish", it usually means it will be a triumph of style over substance.   more...

Alien vs Predator (15)

A GROUP of intrepid, not to mention foolhardy, scientists discover an ancient pyramid in Antarctica and get much more than they bargained for.   more...

50 Cent The Massacre

DRUG dealer-turned rapper 50 Cent churns out more tales of his gun-toting past in his second album.   more...

The Pogues The Ultimate Collection

Call me a cynic but can it be pure coincidence that a new offering from Ireland's finest has been released just in time for St Patrick's Day?   more...

Idlewild Warnings/Promises

Warnings/Promises is the fourth full-length work from Scottish quintet Idlewild and one of the most highly anticipated albums of 2005.   more...

Oliver! Inkberrow Players Inkberrow Village Hall

INKBERROW Players deviated from their usual pantomime to bring the village its first ever musical in the form of Oliver!, which played to packed houses for three nights last week.   more...

Dancers scoop top spot

TWO Bromsgrove youngsters are dancing for joy after scooping top spot at a freestyle championship.   more...

Artist unveils exhibition

THE work of a talented artist will be showcased at Droitwich Spa Library.   more...

Youth dance

A DANCE company made up of 30 talented youngsters is set to give an original performance.   more...

Win family tickets to medieval joust

OVER the Easter weekend, the Leeds-based award-winning Royal Armouries Museum will be alive with the thundering sound of galloping horses and shattering lances.   more...

Walk down memory lane at Memorabilia

NOW in its second decade, Europe's largest collectors event - The Memorabilia Show - returns to The NEC on April 2 and 3 for another weekend of nostalgia.   more...

What's On Guide

Thursday, March 17   more...

Dogs to pack out Hippodrome

SENSATIONAL all-male dancing troupe Tap Dogs bring their show to the Birmingham Hippodrome next week as part of only two UK dates in their World Tour.   more...

Spring event for orchestra

ST Stephen's Church is the venue for The Redditch Orchestra's spring concert on Saturday at 7.30pm.   more...

Ray to swing by the Palace

THE Palace Theatre will swing to the sound of Ray Gelato and his powerful seven-piece band on Friday evening.   more...

Give 'em the old razzle dazzle...

SULTRY award-winning musical Chicago returns to Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre on Monday for a short run as part of a national tour.   more...

Where to go

Wednesday, March 16   more...

Finding Neverland (PG) DVD

JOHNNY Depp stars in this enchanting true tale of author and playwright J M Barrie and his inspiration behind the story of Peter Pan.   more...

Saw (18) DVD

THE power of fear is like nothing else. It will immobilise you, cause irrational behaviour and make you do things you never thought possible. It will take you to your limits.   more...

In the swing

THE Swan Theatre will host a big band swing night in aid of a charity for the elderly.   more...

New members

A BLACKWELL band which recently relocated to larger premises is now looking for new members.   more...

Church concert

A CONCERT of English music will be held at St John's Church, in Bromsgrove, over Easter.   more...

News

Top cop on move

THE police inspector for Studley, Tim Bailey, will be leaving his post next week to become an acting Chief Inspector at police headquarters in Leek Wootton.   more...

Have the heart to horse around

OLYMPIC gold medal winner Leslie Law is urging people to horse around in aid of the British Heart Foundation next month.   more...

Oh, Gordon, you're really quite saucy

FIERY celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay is a fan of Worcestershire Sauce - he says it is an essential ingredient in many of his recipes - and he loves it in beans on toast.   more...

Take a two-wheel blossom trail blaze ride

SPRING is in air and those who enjoy the first signs are sure to have a blooming good time raising cash for charity when the Blossom Trail Bikeaway gets underway.   more...

Searching for perfect harmony

A TOP reggae and Christian singer whose music was shaped by his experiences as a boy soldier dropped in on a Worcester school to work with youngsters.   more...

English classics at Elgar Museum

MUSIC enthusiasts can lap up English classics at a concert to be staged at Worcester's Elgar Birthplace Museum.   more...

Fire service called in for youths on roof

FIREFIGHTERS came to the rescue to help police remove three youths from the roof of Worcester building.   more...

Police seeking missing family

A PORTUGUESE family, who claimed they were subjected to racist taunts and an arson attack on their home, have gone missing.   more...

Curtain up on Dreamcatchers' play

PRECONCEPTIONS and stereotypes of people with learning disabilities were blown apart in a production by a Worcester theatre group.   more...

Another string to musicians' bows

YOUNG musicians and singers came to the city for a day of strong but harmonious competition.   more...

Last moments of tragic skydiver

SKYDIVER Stephen Hilder who fell 13,000ft when his parachute failed to open may have attempted to land on the ground with his legs, an inquest heard today.   more...

Hoping to ring true

CITY bell ringers are hoping home advantage will help them make the finals of a national competition - for the first time ever.   more...

Lucy's op went well says dad

A BRAVE six-year-old has had a life-saving operation, thanks to her older sister.   more...

Business as usual despite gun terror

A DEFIANT Worcestershire sub-postmaster has said he will not allow an attempted armed robbery to put him off opening his post office today.   more...

Surgeries explain pension changes

ANYONE thinking of putting off claiming for a state pension for a while is being reminded that changes will be made to the choices they have on Wednesday, April 6.   more...

Match abandoned after `head-butting'

ANOTHER youth football match has descended into violence and bad behaviour in a further blight on the beautiful game in Worcestershire.   more...

brave pc dragged suicide man to safety

A QUICK-witted policeman tied a 30ft dog lead round his waist to rescue a man from a sinking car.   more...

Red Nose fun across town

PUPILS and staff at St Nicholas School, Alcester, hit the right note while raising money for charity on Friday.   more...

Funding cut to councils

ALCESTER stands to lose thousands of pounds a year because of a cut in district council funding.   more...

Skip to it

PUPILS at Temple Grafton Primary School decided to skip lessons and do some exercise - with the help of leading skipping coach Sue Dale. The youngsters were taught all about the importance of exercise.   more...

... or opt for pedal power

PEDAL power will be in force at the Greig Centre on Saturday when the new scheme Bikes for Alcester is launched.   more...

Green idea for disused road

A REDUNDANT slip road off Feckenham Road in Headless Cross may be grassed over and landscaped if residents get their way.   more...

Transport plan

RESIDENTS in Alcester and the surrounding villages could be in line for a better transport system if town and parish councillors agree to take it on board.   more...

Dance dynamos impress minister

DYNAMIC dancers at Kingsley College put on a colourful show for the Schools Standards Minister Stephen Twigg when he visited them recently.   more...

Guilty of assault on pc

A man has been ordered to do six months community service after admitting assaulting a police officer during a brawl outside a pub.   more...

Racing to get a message across

STUDENTS from NEW College were puffed out after a Heart and Lungs Fun Run on No Smoking Day last Wednesday.   more...

Heather ready to lend a hand

HEATHER Gerrard likes helping people and her latest role is going to give her plenty of opportunity.   more...

Entertainers lining up for arts events

SCORES of Redditch clubs and groups have now put their names forward for the Redditch Community Arts Festival Event, which takes place in June.   more...

Safety lesson

ROAD safety has been the key for pupils at Dunnington CE Primary School who have been learning to cross with care during regular kerbside training lessons.   more...

Redditch sees red!

BIG-hearted residents from all over Redditch took part in a host of madcap activities to raise cash for this year's Comic Relief.   more...

Software makes light work of reading aloud

A SOFTWARE development company has launched a pioneering product that converts text into speech.   more...

`Doctor' lied to land top £125,000 post

A man who landed a £125,000-a-year job with an Alcester company after claiming to have qualifications to which he was not entitled has escaped being jailed.   more...

Pollution probe

A DETAILED air pollution survey is to be carried out in Studley, despite preliminary indications that pollution levels are not exceeding Governments limits.   more...

Delivery workers' dynamite donation for dogs

WORCESTERSHIRE-based employees of TNT Express Services put in a first class performance in a charity appeal for used stamps.   more...

Kitchen revamp should be next

A GROUP of senior citizens in Alcester is demanding a proposed town council grant to the Greig Centre should be used for the memorial hall and not the redevelopment of the sports hall.   more...

Kids get into the groove

WANNABE pop stars from Arrow Vale Community High School wowed audiences with their renditions of popular 80s hits at the school's recent "Back to the Eighties" evening.   more...

Jobs cull set to top a million

NEW figures are expected to show today that more than a million manufacturing jobs have been lost since Labour came to power.   more...

Moving

ALCESTER and Studley's police inspector Tim Bailey will be leaving his post next week to become Acting Chief Inspector at police headquarters, Leek Wootton.   more...

Opening the BARN door

A REDDITCH and Bromsgrove organisation set up after the demise of the Redditch Council for Voluntary Service (RCVS) wants to make more groups aware of what it can offer.   more...

Expert shares skills

A REGIONAL food and drink expert has been chosen to attend a study event in the Netherlands.   more...

Head to head

A NEW theatre group is now treading the boards around Salford Priors and surrounding villages.   more...

Call to cut red tape

THE Government has developed a "knee-jerk" culture of introducing new regulations to tackle problems, an official advisory group complained today.   more...

Peanut lands class award

PEANUT, the 23-month-old whippet featured in last week's Chronicle, took second place in his class at Crufts.   more...

`We can't just abandon them'

REDDITCH people with special needs are in danger of "being abandoned" if volunteers can't be found to help a club.   more...

Milestone for window on the past

TWENTY years of discovery at the council's record office are being celebrated with a photographic exhibition.   more...

Showroom's future doubt

MYSTERY still surrounds a car showroom in Alcester which closed suddenly two weeks ago.   more...

Easter fun at venue

THERE will be some cracking fun for youngsters during Easter at Forge Mill Museum.   more...

Malvern land searches to benefit people on move

HOME movers and solicitors are set to benefit from improvements to land search services in the Malvern Hills district set to be introduced today.   more...

Park's bronze age

VISITORS to Ragley Hall this season will be able to see Lord and Lady Hertford's four children playing in the garden.   more...

Stately home in the spotlight

STUDLEY Castle played host to the BBC when three episodes of a new BBC2 Sunday morning programme were filmed.   more...

Pay your fines or face super bailiffs

UNIFORMED bailiffs will target fine-dodgers to try to collect the £7 million owed in West Mercia.   more...

Fisheries expert slams Arrow plan

FOLLOWING the publication of a report into proposals to open up the River Arrow to boats, a 20-page opposition document has been lodged with Alcester Library.   more...

Villagers air speed concerns

CONCERNED residents flocked to a meeting to discuss how to curb drivers' speed through their village.   more...

Club in call for support

REDDITCH's oldest club is celebrating its 60th anniversary next month - but needs new committee members to step forward.   more...

Toy story - they're on the move

THE MULTI Agency Resource Centre, in Charford, is preparing to move some of its services to a new building next month.   more...

Cafe is a sign of progress

A NEW café has opened in Redditch town centre which hopes to provide a socially inclusive environment for both deaf and hearing people.   more...

Get cracking for holidays

THERE is plenty of Easter activity coming up in Studley over the next couple of weeks.   more...

Time to `shop' villains

MEMBERS of the public should be playing their part in fighting crime in Alcester - and that includes shopping offenders to the police.   more...

100 years ago

March, 18 1905   more...

50 years ago

March 18, 1955   more...

25 years ago

March 14, 1980   more...

Wythall WI

MARCH was members' night so the president for the evening was Jo Chandler and her secretary was Joan Johnson.   more...

Wythall History Society

AT the January meeting, Derek Harrington spoke about Bewdley - a Riverside Town.   more...

Wythall Gardening Society

AT the March meeting, speaker Glenys Dyer gave a talk and slide show entitled The Ultimate Social Climber - Clematis.   more...

Worcester Birmingham Canal Society

THE March meeting was an illustrated talk on The Elan Valley by Ken Godfrey.   more...

The Redditch Society

THE Life and Work of Edward Burne-Jones was the subject of a talk by Brendan Flynn, Curator of Fine Arts at Birmingham Art Gallery. As a young man, Burne-Jones decided his future lay as a priest and he went to Oxford to study divinity.   more...

Kingfisher Probus Club of Redditch

PROBUS (Professional and Businessmen's) Clubs are active around the world and there about 800 in the UK.   more...

Studley Local History Group

THE last meeting took the form of a slide show of Warwick and its castle by Bev Bevins.   more...

Redditch Art Circle

AT the start of the March meeting, Angie Merris was presented with her trophy for winning the best overall painting category in the autumn exhibition.   more...

Matchborough West Community Group

The group met on February 10. The arranged venue of Matchborough West Meeting Rooms was locked and apparently the group was not allowed to use it.   more...

Hollywood WI

ON March 2, Alan Craike spoke about his journey to the Tsars.   more...

Everywoman's Circle

ON February 10, members enjoyed a relaxing evening with Tony and David, who presented a programme of folk songs, verse, monologues, humorous sketches and great harmony singing.   more...

Crabbs Cross & Hunt End WI

VICE-president Wendy Hart stepped in for president Sue Lawson for the March meeting.   more...

Women's Federation

SUZANNE Owen, who featured in a recent Clubs & Societies photograph, is the county chairman of the Women's Federation, not a member of the Redditch Women's Institute.   more...

Cookhill Keyboard Club

FRIDAY night, March 18, sees the highlight of the year's activities when patron Penny Weedon will give her Patron's Concert at Cookhill Village Hall, 7.30 pm for 8pm.   more...

Arrow Valley Countryside Group

THIS year's walking programme got off to a good start with 32 members joining an eight-mile ramble around the Studley area, led by Mavis and Carol on January 9.   more...

School to host radio show

A REDDITCH school that is playing host to popular radio show Any Questions? is inviting members of the community to take part.   more...

Alcester U3A

AFTER her recent illness, chairman Alexandra Waters was back on form and in the chair to take the AGM in March.   more...

Our festival must succeed

THE row created by Conservative group leader Carole Gandy and Council Leader David Cartwright over this summer's AIR festival clearly demonstrates once again the Tories in Redditch know the cost of everything and the value of nothing.   more...

Growing traffic chaos result of lack of Studley bypass

IN the past few weeks I have read the following articles in the Advertiser:   more...

Hoping to find former friends

AN American teacher who spent a year in Redditch in 1962 is trying to trace his old chums.   more...

Dispersal Order is a big boost for our lovely area

HEADLESS Cross has developed steadily for more than 200 years. It is a desirable area to live and has always catered adequately for its own sensible youth, with many well-run community youth centres and facilities that have developed along with its growth.   more...

Shelters springing up!

NEW youth shelters are to be installed across the town following a £25,000 investment by Redditch Council.   more...

`Bored' youngsters do not deserve sympathy

SADLY, many parents and even some police officers and councillors share the view of your young correspondent (Letters, March 9) that because young people perceive themselves to be bored and have nothing to do, that excuses them acts of vandalism against public and personal property.   more...

Memorial go-ahead

PLANS for a permanent Holocaust memorial in the town centre - which split opinion on Redditch Council's planning committee - have finally been approved after two previous rejections.   more...

Letter from Westminster

THIS week, the Chancellor will deliver his Budget. With the backdrop of an economy that over the last eight years has been the envy of the world, my prediction is for a ``steady as she goes'' affair.   more...

Artist gets royal seal of approval

THE artistic talents of a Redditch-born painter were in Royal demand recently during Prince Charles' tour of Australia.   more...

Thanks to B&Q

I SHOULD like to express our thanks to B&Q for allowing us to collect at their store.   more...

Man in assault awaits sentence

A 21-YEAR-old Redditch man was remanded in custody for a pre-sentence report after pleading guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm.   more...

In pain and in need of help

I AM so outraged I must put pen to paper. I retired at 65 having worked 45 years for the NHS.   more...

Fun scales new heights!

CREATIVE residents can take a walk on the wild side at Arrow Valley Countryside Centre on Sunday.   more...

Use your indicators

REGARDING your article on Crabbs Cross traffic island (Advertiser, February 23), there would probably be less accidents if motorists used their indicators instead of letting people guess where they are going.   more...

Proud of our tenements

I WOULD like to ask Studley Parish Council chairman Bill McCarthy just what was his point when he made the remark about "old Glasgow tenements''? (Advertiser, March 2)   more...

Arsonist sent to hospital

A 53-YEAR-old arsonist has been sent to a secure hospital for psychiatric assessment.   more...

Let down by bus service

HAVING tried to no avail to contact First buses in respect of a complaint, I feel I have no alternative but to put my complaint in the local press.   more...

Hi-tech gifts

REDDITCH Pakistan Community Forum last week received some much-needed computer equipment from Birmingham-based solicitors Irwin Mitchell   more...

Your views win the day

WE were pleased to read in your March 2 issue that you reported the outcome of the planning application for the Co-operative site in Studley.   more...

New look for town centre

PLANS to radically improve landscaping in Church Green and Alcester Street in Redditch town centre will soon be put into motion.   more...

A cultural wasteland?

IN my work with a software company based in Redditch, most weeks I have people on training courses staying in hotels around Redditch.   more...

Smokers get new shelters

THE Alexandra Hospital used No Smoking Day last week to reinforce its smoke-free message.   more...

Reaction cool on bypass bid

REACTION to Redditch Council moves to finance a Bordesley bypass to serve the planned Abbey Stadium complex has been mixed.   more...

Making merry at Palace

MERRIMENT and melody will fill the auditorium when Astwood Bank Operatic Society performs The Merry Widow.   more...

Waterwheel may get a new home

A WATERWHEEL once displayed in the Kingfisher Centre could be moved to an outdoor location off Redditch Ringway.   more...

Crane used to move body

IT took a fire crew six hours to lift the body of an obese man by crane from his Smallwood home after he died of a heart attack.   more...

Travellers told to go

STAFF and users at Redditch's Abbey Stadium were shocked on Monday to find travellers had set up camp in the car park.   more...

A nose for fun!

REDDITCH residents got involved in a wide range of wacky antics to raise money for Comic Relief on Friday.   more...

Paying the price of red tape

WHEN I was 16, the Abbey Stadium development was proposed, with promises it would be completed by the end of last year.   more...

9 TRUANTS CAUGHT IN 3 HOURS

A THREE-hour ``truancy sweep'' of Redditch town centre saw police haul in nine youngsters missing from school while others accompanied by parents were given a warning.   more...

Comic Relief capers

RED-nosed youngsters at a Droitwich school got into the spirit of Comic Relief with madcap money-spinning activities.   more...

Refuse revamp

RUBBISH collection in Droitwich Spa is being revamped after a consultation with residents.   more...

Valda's marathon effort

A SPA woman is hoping to go the distance when she runs the London Marathon next month.   more...

Hotel is for sale

SPA residents with a spare £5.25million can snap up a country hotel near Droitwich.   more...

Just look at her now!

A MIRACLE baby who weighed just 1lb 1oz when she was born celebrated her eighth birthday on Sunday.   more...

Help is needed to hunt robbers

MUMS and dads doing the school run may hold vital clues to help hunt down two Post Office robbers.   more...

Home destroyed by blaze

A SPA home was completely destroyed in a blaze on Monday morning and now firefighters will blitz home fire safety in the town.   more...

`Tired' town is in need of make-over

A LEADING member of the Bromsgrove Society has slammed the appearance of the town as "down at heel and shabby" and badly in need of a make-over.   more...

Tory plans could affect canal work

COUNCILLORS have slammed Tory party plans to sell off British Waterways' assets, which they say could affect the restoration of the Spa town's canals.   more...

Dairy hit with £9k bill after brook pollution

A DROITWICH Spa dairy is crying over spilt milk after it was hit with a £9,000 bill for polluting a Worcestershire brook.   more...

Smashing the £50,000 mark

GENEROUS townsfolk have helped the Hikkaduwa Village Fund smash the £50,000 mark.   more...

Spring clean call for `shabby' area

RUBERY is rundown, shabby and an embarrassment to Bromsgrove District Council, according to a councillor for the area.   more...

Tall in the saddle

FORMER top jockey turned BBC racing pundit Willie Carson proved he is still a firm favourite with the punters.   more...

Grant bid is child's play

A NEW £47,000 play area could be built in Cofton Hackett if a funding request gets the green light.   more...

Market traders in plea for help

TRADERS in Bromsgrove Market Hall claim trade has slumped so badly they are barely taking enough cash to pay their rents.   more...

Mum targeted by hate campaign

A MOTHER lost two stones in weight after a violent campaign by neighbours against her, Worcester Crown Court heard.   more...

Healthy questions

RESIDENTS have been quizzed on their views on health services in the town.   more...

Plan to help buy homes

FIRST time buyers could get help to get a vital toehold on the difficult home ownership ladder in Bromsgrove, the Advertiser/Messenger can exclusively reveal.   more...

Time to get fit as gym'll fix it

A STATE-of-the-art gym has been opened at a Rubery school.   more...

Cash boost to improve park

RUBERY has been given a major cash boost of nearly £200,000 for improvements to St Chad's Park.   more...

Manners maketh man

STAFF and teachers at a Bromsgrove school have named their favourite lunch time customer.   more...

Car buyers warned after clocking case

BROMSGROVE motorists are being warned to be on their guard after a Dodford garage owner admitted five offences of false description of a used car.   more...

We `nose' how to have fun

RED Nose fever hit Bromsgrove as townsfolk pulled together to raise funds for Comic Relief.   more...

Spending the night with Big Bertha

THE distant, comforting sounds of Big Bertha sent thousands of Bromsgrove people to sleep for nearly 40 years.   more...

The wrong tracks - concern over scheme

A NEW scheme to provide extra parking for rail commuters in Aston Fields could mean passengers facing a trek along a dangerous road or walking up a narrow lane to reach their cars.   more...

Hanbury WI

MARION opened the meeting by introducing our speaker Gwnth Zanzottera, who likes to be called Gwen, her subject was to be topless in Stratford.   more...

How Fairtrade suffers because of the EU cartel

IT is heartening to see how many people support the principles of the Fairtrade scheme.   more...

Wychbold Flower Club

THE club's AGM was held in in the village hall and the chairman Ruth Bottomley welcomed a smaller than usual attendance.   more...

Unable or unwilling to accept facts

HOW many more times do the facts have to be spelled out to the likes of L Spiteri, D E Margrett and so on, regarding the cost of EU membership? They still seem unable, or unwilling, to accept the facts.   more...

Chaddesley Corbett Gardeners

THE AGM was well attended by members and visitors and four new committee members were voted on board. We were then transported to New Zealand to the gardens created at the homesteads. Marie Paginton filled us with her enthusiasm for the country and for the surprisingly abundant gardens. The most surprising thing was to find that everywhere looked so English.   more...

Two types of Tories

SOME of your recent correspondents have been eager to imply that a vote for the Liberal Democrats will mean a Conservative wins.   more...

Breathe Easy

THE Redditch & Bromsgrove Breathe Easy support group meets every third Thursday of the month at the Churchill community centre, Redditch.   more...

Cash down the drain

ARE our councillors completely devoid of common sense?   more...

Wychbold Women's F'ship

WE met in St Mary de Wyche church for our New Year party, when our Rector Roger and his wife Pat were our guests. As usual the food and refreshments were excellent, all enjoyed in an atmosphere of warmth and fellowship, and as before, there were no shortage of volunteers to share in the serving, clearing and washing-up. The raffle raised £50 in aid of the Tsunami appeal. A hilarious sketch - At the Surgery - was performed by Wychbold WI to round off the evening.   more...

War spirit is lacking

THE lamentations of F L Jones and D E Margrett (Letters, Tuesday, March 8) for the years of their life spent serving their country hardly seem to me to be typical of their generation.   more...

Spa Inner Wheel Club

ON a very cold evening members of the Inner Wheel Club of Droitwich Spa were warmly welcomed by president Patricia Phillips to the Raven Hotel for their February meeting.   more...

Bromsgrove Art Club

YESTERDAY (Tuesday), Bromsgrove Art Club met for an appraisal of members' paintings by well known local artist Malcolm Brookes. He has been a professional painter since 1964. In the past, he had headed various art departments in the West Midlands; now semi-retired, he leads art classes largely for his own pleasure. Members' work will be on display and for sale at their annual art exhibition which runs from April 24 to May 7 at All Saints Church.   more...

Top-rated pub takes another step forward

AN award-winning independent pub in Headless Cross has just gone one better and scooped another accolade.   more...

No pay-out for store staff

ALLDERS department store staff who are due to lose their jobs next week will not receive any immediate redundancy pay-off, say administrators Kroll.   more...

We should have a pool

ON your letters page for March 9 a number of contributors attacked me personally for supporting the removal of the salt water pool from Lido Park.   more...

It could be a new record

THE Guinness Book of Records new entry for the world's shortest guided tour should be for Droitwich Spa's remaining heritage trail by Wychavon District Council's tourism officer. Don't blink, you'll miss it!   more...

Plea for a missing doll

I AM writing this letter in the hope that it will be read by the person who either took or allowed their child to take the Baby Annabell doll that my four-year-old daughter mislaid at Webbs of Wychbold at about 3pm on Friday, March 4.   more...

We pay for parking too

WITH reference to the parking letter on March 9. I'm sure Mr Dovey will be pleased to learn that cars displaying yellow stickers denote that the owners have bought an annual car parking ticket, because this is the cheaper option and not because they are employed by Wychavon.   more...

We won't be voting Tory

MY wife and I, in common with a great number of voters in Droitwich Spa, will no longer be supporting the Conservatives in the May 2005 county elections.   more...

Please back the Norbury

ON Saturday evening it was my pleasure to be at the Norbury Theatre listening to wonderful singing courtesy of Hatstand Opera, which was a just one night production of sheer joy. But, oh what a shame that the theatre was only one third full.   more...

Supermarket is an eyesore

RECENTLY I had occasion to travel along Saltway, Droitwich, from the direction of Queen Street, a route which I have not used for some months due to the disruption of traffic flow.   more...

That's not in her patch

I AGREE with Wychavon councillor Judy Pearce's letter about Mr Blair's surprise visit to her constituency.   more...

Stickers are for everyone

COULD I correct a wrong impression that may have been created by Mr Dovey's letter in your last issue, regarding arrangements at the Lido car park?   more...

Tough time for ferrets

DAFFODILS in bloom, birds singing and spring is in the air with its promise of new life. Sadly, for many ferrets this lovely season spells misery and possible death.   more...

Let's develop SAAB garage

WE have seen many letters with regard to the Lido - its future and demise etc. Perhaps there should be consideration to the enhancement of part of Droitwich which now lies empty.   more...

Step forward and use Advertiser pages to answer Lido questions

WITHIN all the claim and counter claim about the Lido is it not possible for the SALT people to obtain an injunction to stop any destruction of the present buildings at least until more information has been given to the Droitwich people - I would like to know all the facts behind the froth!   more...

100 years ago March 18, 1905

DOG license dodgers kept Bromsgrove magistrates busy at the town's police court this week. Several of the eight who had been summonsed were labourers or smallholders who pleaded poverty, saying times were hard and what little cash they had could be put to better use. Magistrates told one offender, Arthur Sands, that if he was too poor to buy a license, he was too poor to own a dog.   more...

50 years ago March 19, 1955

FIREMEN from Bromsgrove and eight other local towns were called to fight a major fire in the five storey Halfords Cycle Store, in Birmingham. It was full of flammable materials and the blaze was said to be the city's worst in peacetime. Damage to the premises and stock was put at over £1m.   more...

25 years ago March 13, 1980

A COUNTY council plan to convert the disused swimming pool at North Bromsgrove High School into an open air facility was branded `ludicrous' by the governors. The pool had not been used since an asbestos scare three years ago. The governors said the 1,100 pupils would get little benefit from a refurbished outdoor pool.   more...

Closure is not the right way

I WAS astounded to read in the Advertiser/Messenger of a proposal to close both Pigs Alley, and the Well Lane Bridleway in Bromsgrove.   more...

What's the real reason?

I READ with incredulity the proposal to close the footpath known colloquially as Pigs Alley, and the bridleway known as Well Lane, both situated in Bromsgrove.   more...

Time for more dropped kerbs

IF Bromsgrove Council is going to charge people with disabilities for parking, even in designated slots, then they would be better off choosing to park on any of the double yellow lines and add to the traffic chaos.   more...

No room for suite groups

AS the opening of the Artrix draws near, we can understand the enthusiasm for its programme of events - The Bromsgrove Festival, the musicals, the concerts, the plays, the cinema screenings and of course the gallery where local artists can exhibit their work.   more...

Standards get lower

SINCE moving to Bromsgrove several years ago, my standard of living has fallen due to firstly, the road system which seems to increasingly disadvantage motorists. It takes longer to cross Bromsgrove on the A38 than Birmingham!   more...

Budget will cost us dear

I WONDER if residents are aware of the true consequences of the budget set by Bromsgrove District Council, and the way their councillors voted for what was one of the largest increases in the country.   more...

Shame on the lot of you

ACCORDING to the Advertiser/Messenger, disabled drivers, or less abled which I prefer, will now have to pay to park, coinciding with the Shopmobility scheme which will enable disabled people to get around town in buggies.   more...

Damage to The Pleck

WE have received a number of kind inquiries regarding the damage to The Pleck at the end of Broad Street.   more...

We should all object

NOT content with increasing parking fees, charging disabled badge holders to park and withdrawing free swimming for pensioners, Bromsgrove District Council now intends to stop free parking for users of the Dolphin Centre.   more...

It's all our own rubbish

SINCE Andy Padmore expects it is the local council's job to take away his additional refuse, would he support my leaving the packaging of my new freezer next to my wheelie bin? Or perhaps my old armchair or mattress?   more...

Excellent stay at Alex

AS a recent day unit patient at the Birch Day Surgery Unit, based at Alexandra Hospital in Redditch, I would like to contribute to the long and ongoing debate that often graces these very pages.   more...

There's gold in them thar cars

FOR a long time car parking charges in Bromsgrove have been a very contentious issue and I am wondering whether the council's latest scheme to charge some of the most vulnerable amongst us may be just one step too far.   more...

Parish tax is `unfair'

ALVECHURCH councillors have hit out at the "severe inequality" of villagers in Alvechurch, Beoley and Wythall having to pay extra for their parish councils.   more...

Conservatory gets go-ahead

PLANS to extend an Alvechurch care home have been given full backing by councillors, despite fears it is "completely alien" to the building's original design.   more...

Flats' green light

A PLAN to convert the historic British Mills building into apartments has been given the go-ahead.   more...

Driver slams consultation

A REDDITCH motorist has slammed Worcestershire County Council's public consultation on the future of transport in the town, claiming it is "too politicised".   more...

Family centre boost

FAMILIES in Lakeside and Lodge Park are set to benefit from a new £230,000 Sure Start centre.   more...

Call goes out to potential lifesavers

CRABBS Cross residents are being called on to become part of a pioneering scheme to save lives.   more...

Trust debt nearly £24M

THE trust which runs the Alexandra Hospital has accumulated one of the worst debts in the country in recent years, according to figures released by health minister John Hutton last week.   more...

Beyond the call of duty

THE phrase "beyond the call of duty" has almost become a cliché.   more...

Thief foiled by PO staff

STAFF at a Redditch post office chased a would-be thief after an attempted robbery.   more...

Appeal on pool theft

POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a Securicor guard was robbed at Hewell Road Swimming Pool at 1.40pm on Friday.   more...

Hunt is on for flasher

POLICE in Redditch are appealing for information after a man indecently exposed himself to two girls in Matchborough on Monday, March 7.   more...

Bag stolen in sneak-in theft

A HANDBAG containing cash, bank cards, a pink leather purse and a Nokia mobile phone were stolen during a "sneak-in" theft at a home in Hither Green Lane, Bordesley.   more...

Arrests after `fall'

FOUR people were arrested after a woman suffered serious head injuries and a broken leg when she fell from an upstairs window.   more...

Pack formed for Fridays

A NEW Brownie pack opened in Alcester on Friday in response to increased demand.   more...

Chocs away for Fairtrade fun

IT'S not often pupils are encouraged to buy chocolate at school but at a special event at Pershore High School boxes full of the brown stuff were on offer.   more...

Green man blue over bike theft

A GREEN Party chief's hopes of peddling around Worcestershire spreading the group's message have been left high and dry - after thieves stole his bike.   more...

County proves to be top dog

ROSETTES and trophies are taking pride of place in many Worcestershire homes after a successful year at Crufts.   more...

Wrestlingstar steps in ring on home turf

WORCESTER'S 18-stone wrestling star Johnny the Body will be getting to grips with another opponent on Friday night, when a host of top grapplers appear on stage at the city's Rainbow Hill Club.   more...

Foster under threat

WORCESTER MP Michael Foster's job is under threat at the General Election from stay-at-home Labour supporters, a cabinet Minister has warned.   more...

Malvern College names its new head

DAVID Dowdles has been appointed by Malvern College Council to become headmaster of Malvern College.   more...

Take to the Hills in aid of hospice

HUNDREDS of people are expected to dig out their walking boots this spring and tackle the Malvern Hills in a huge fund-raising effort for a new hospice.   more...

How you can help others- and boost your love life

Sonja's story   more...

Having a ball to raise cash

WEBHEATH parents will don their glad rags for a black tie ball in aid of the village school.   more...

Lauren is set for the limelight

A KINGSLEY College student has been selected as one of the finalists in this year's Pop Icon 2005 event.   more...

Tuning up for concert

MINIATURE musicians at The Coppice Primary School will be performing a plethora of tunes at a spring music concert.   more...

Sport

Darts league news

Evesham Ladies League   more...

Stratford's Robin is flying high

THE Evesham Vale Road Race attracted a full field of riders and excellent weather conditions.   more...

Latest crib league news

Evesham & District League   more...

Trio a hit in Badsey boost

Evesham and District Airgun League   more...

Pickford picks up prize

SUNDAY saw the first day of the eagerly awaited new season at Evesham.   more...

Dixon's delight

EVESHAM Archery Club's Indoor Championships produced a couple of surprise winners.   more...

Lions tamed by Wyre

Evesham and District Association   more...

Goals bring the glory

THE Under-14 girls hockey squad from Pershore High School proved the dominant force at a tournament at Chipping Campden.   more...

Ideal opener to start of Cheltenham Festival week

LUDDINGTON Road again provided the perfect curtain-raiser for this week's annual Cheltenham Festival on Monday afternoon.   more...

Raceway ready for first event of new campaign

DRAG racing, one of the fastest motor sport disciplines known to man makes a welcome return to Stratford-upon-Avon's Shakes-peare County Raceway this weekend for two days of pre-season testing and public participation!   more...

Kim's all smiles!

KIM Smyly's Stanton stable enjoyed the fruits of their labours last weekend when the Cotswolds trainer sent out four winners and a second from five runners.   more...

In-form Kendall can't stop Monarchs

MICK Kendall did his best to stop defending champions Lickey Monarchs in their tracks.   more...

Local duo out of luck

LOCAL golfprofessionals John Bickerton and Matthew Morris had tournaments to forget over the weekend.   more...

Mighty Mytton gets back to winning ways

BOXER Adam Mytton killed two birds with one stone as he warmed up for the National Junior Championships and avenged an earlier defeat by Dudley fighter Richard Ghent.   more...

Blaze roar to double win

BASKETBALL: In-form Bromsgrove Blaze A grabbed two victories in the Worcestershire Junior Division.   more...

Seconds clinch title

HOCKEY: Bromsgrove men's second team ensured the West Midlands Division Two title with two wins over the weekend.   more...

Boars victorious

Kingswinford 1st XI 2 Bromsgrove 1st XI 3   more...

Spa seal top two place

Droitwich 1st XI 3 Leamington 1st XI 1   more...

Jones sets standard

DROITWICH motorbike riding sensation Chris Jones sent out an omnious warning to his rivals in his first full testing day at Donnington Park on Sunday.   more...

Holders progress

HOLDERS Bromsgrove Indoor Bowling Club booked their place in the semi-finals of the Wessex League National Championships by defeating Weymouth side Moonfleet 82-79 on Sunday.   more...

Goals flow as hosts earn a welcome win

Pershore 5, Chaddesley Corbett 2   more...

Revenge is sweet in Pinvin promotion push

PINVIN United moved within two points of promotion from Division Four of the Birdseye Sports Evesham Sunday League following victory over third-placed Bell.   more...

Goals bring the glory

THE Under-14 girls hockey squad from Pershore High School proved the dominant force at a tournament at Chipping Campden.   more...

Parkers pile on pressure

Pershore 17pts, Old Yardleians 7   more...

Brown eyes repeat

REIGNING Bryant School of Motoring mens singles champion Grahame Brown will be out to defend his crown when the Eve-sham Table Tennis Association stages the rounds of their Closed Championships at Evesham High School on Sunday from 8.45am.   more...

Parkers pile on pressure

Pershore 17pts, Old Yardleians 7   more...

Town test is too tough for United

Yate Town 2, Evesham Utd 0   more...

Pollard pegs in for Festival

LAST Sunday saw 54 anglers vying for an invitation to this year's Shakespeare Cham-pionships at the annual Evesham Festival when a qualifier was staged at Hampton Ferry.   more...

Carp cheer as Spiers seals spot at Wychavon event

A CARP weighing 15lbs helped Jeff Spires gain an easy victory in the latest qualifier for this year's Wychavon Festival.   more...

16/3/05 - Players must react in positive fashion

WE may have lost our four-game unbeaten run at Stalybridge Celtic -- but I'm confident the lads will react in the right way at Bradford Park Avenue tonight.   more...

Buzzards in last four

BREDON'S Under-14s reached the semi-finals of North Midlands County Junior Cup with a 22-10 victory over Kidderminster Carolians last weekend.   more...

Fortunes change after youngsters claim victory

Evesham U-13 17pts, Bredon 15   more...

Taylor's penalty double boosts Avon Street men

Worcester Wanderers 10, Evesham 11pts   more...

Just lovin' it!

SAM McDonald received a call-up to represent England's Under-18 rugby squad.   more...

Seniors suffer

TACKLING a Gay Hill team of single figure golfers playing on their home course, senior members of the Vale Golf and Country Club lost 3-0 in the semi-final of the Kidderminster Cup Scratch Foursomes.   more...

Reserves fail to excel in defeat

Droitwich Spa Reserves 0 Shipston Excelsior 3   more...

Honours even as Spa eye final spot

Droitwich Spa 0 University of Birmingham 0   more...

Errors prove costly

Upton on Severn 15   more...

Battling Villa edged

Tipton Town Reserves 2 Fairfield Villa 0   more...

Falcons pay penalty Falcons pay penalty

STAR and Garter booked their place in the Bridgwater Cup final by defeating Cofton Falcons 1-0 on Sunday.   more...

Droitwich rue Drew's goal

Bewdley Town 1 Droitwich Spa 0   more...

Sorry Spartak dumped out of cup by Town

Barnt Green Spartak 1   more...

Erraji strike ends Rovers' run

Oxford City 1 Bromsgrove Rovers 2   more...

Mullen calls for more goals

MANAGER Jimmy Mullen has called on his side to be more ruthless in order to keep their promotion hopes alive in the Southern League Division One West.   more...

Alcester escape

Coventry Tech 3   more...

16/3/05 - Harriers aiming to draw in more junior supporters

RELEGATION-threatened Kidderminster Harriers are determined to get their young fans on-side as the season draws to a thrilling finale.   more...

Rampant Boars edge away from trap door

Bromsgrove 28 Dunstablians 12   more...

Fierce enemies raring to go for cup clash

DROITWICH RFC aim to pull one of the shocks of the season when they take on neighbours Bromsgrove in the North Midlands Cup quarter-finals on Friday night (7.30pm start).   more...

12/03/05 - Rampant Boars edge away from trap door

Bromsgrove 28 Dunstablians 12   more...

16/03/05 - Fierce enemies raring to go for cup clash

BROMSGROVE aim to avoid an upset in the North Midlands Cup quarter-finals when they take on Droitwich away on Friday night (7.30pm start).   more...

16/03/05 - Fierce enemies raring to go for cup clash

DROITWICH RFC aim to pull one of the shocks of the season when they take on neighbours Bromsgrove in the North Midlands Cup quarter-finals on Friday night (7.30pm start).   more...

Res roar

Studley Women Res 3   more...

Beaten by best

Malvern 2   more...

Final day for Cross

HEADLESS Cross Ladies were left without a game at the weekend.   more...

Quartet seal triathlon joy

A WORCESTERSHIRE Hunt Pony Club team were among the winners at a triathlon competition.   more...

Ledbury aiming for better

SOCCER: Ledbury Town look for an upturn in fortunes when they head to Goodrich tonight in the West Midlands League Premier Division (7.45pm).   more...

Aubrey winner makes it two victories in four days

WESTFIELDS recorded their second 1-0 win in the Travel Factory Alliance in four days with another Matt Aubrey match-winning goal last night.   more...

Shepherd strike is not enough

MARK Shepherd scored on his Malvern Town debut but they fell 3-1 at Romulus in the Travel Factory Alliance.   more...

Bulls sent packing by Bacon

TOOTHLESS Hereford United were dumped out of the FA Trophy by Nationwide Conference North Hucknall last night, despite dominating most of the game.   more...

James injury adds to Bulls' cup woe

HEREFORD United endured double heartache last night as captain Tony James suffered a serious ankle injury during his side's shock 1-0 FA Trophy quarter-final defeat at Hucknall Town.   more...

Preece winning race for fitness

ANDY Preece faces a late fitness test tonight ahead of Worcester City's Nationwide North rearranged clash at Bradford Park Avenue (7.45pm).   more...

Junior round-up . . . Junior round-up . . . Junior round-up

Gloucester City 0,   more...

Shaun stars in five-star show

Evesham Academy 5,   more...

Compton in a fine mess!

SHAUN Stanley bolstered Blockley's Stratford Alliance promotion push with a four-goal salvo against championship rivals Long Compton.   more...

Mean defence again in charge

Littleton 2, Heather 0   more...

Revenge is sweet in Pinvin promotion push

PINVIN United moved within two points of promotion from Division Four of the Birdseye Sports Evesham Sunday League following victory over third-placed Bell.   more...

Fixtures and tables

Fixtures for Saturday   more...

Busst backs his players

THERE was no screaming and shouting after defeat at Yate last weekend and Evesham United manager Dave Busst is confident his players can get their championship chase back on course, writes Mervyn Collins.   more...

Town test is too tough for United

Yate Town 2, Evesham Utd 0   more...

Adams' player boost

MILLERS boss Lee Adams is confident his team can get the result they want against Southam in the Endsleigh Challenge Cup second leg on Saturday.   more...

Vital win for Bees

Studley 3   more...

Reds tame Tigers

Redditch United 3   more...

Busst backs his players

THERE was no screaming and shouting after defeat at Yate last weekend and Evesham United manager Dave Busst is confident his players can get their championship chase back on course, writes Mervyn Collins.   more...

End of line

SQUASH: Club Ventura's league and cup campaign is heading for a crucial climax.   more...

Smash hit this month

TENNIS: The Prudden Road Surfacing Junior Tennis League competition gets under way this month with free entry to teams of 12 years old and under.   more...

Mytton's a real KO

BOXING: Webheath boxer Adam Mytton produced a stunning right cross to deliver a second round knockout of Dudley's Richard Ghent at a charity dinner tournament in Ross on Wye.   more...

16/3/05 - City dinner next month

WORCESTER City's end of season presentations will be made at a dinner-dance held at Worcestershire Cricket Ground on April 23.   more...

Dick bowls `em over

REDDITCH Cricket Club's Dick Biddle picked up the Outstanding Contribution of the Year award at the Worcestershire All Sports Partnership Sports Awards last Thursday.   more...

Aiming for top of the bottom

STUDLEY have their sights on winning their own mini league come the end of the season.   more...

In a league of its own

RUGBY League could be on its way to the town for the summer.   more...

Fourth is with driver Crees

MINI racer Paul Crees got his first outing in the Mighty Mini's Championship at Brands Hatch on Saturday.   more...

UNITED FRONT

REDDITCH'S two biggest superbike teams Knotts Motorcycles and Magnum Motorsport have joined forces.   more...

16/03/05 - Mullen calls for more goals

MANAGER Jimmy Mullen has called on his side to be more ruthless in order to keep their promotion hopes alive in the Southern League Division One West.   more...

Erraji strike ends Rovers' run

Saturday, March 12 2005   more...

Malvern Town FC - Fixtures/Results - 2004/5 Season

The Travel Factory Midland Football Alliance   more...

Gilly's in the right place!

Bretforton 1, Clifton 1   more...

Goals flow as hosts earn a welcome win

Pershore 5, Chaddesley Corbett 2   more...

Controversial clincher leaves hosts pointless

Evesham 0,   more...

  
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