Stories for 20 February 2008

Bromsgrove District Council Sports Awards

Inspirational

Guest speaker and former England ladies international footballer Marianne Spacey speaks of her sporting experiences and offers some words of encouragement to the area's sports stars. Spacey is currently working as a development officer for the Worcestershire FA in Droitwich.   more...

Top man

Bromsgrove Cricket Club chairman collects the Senior Male Sports Personality award on behalf of his brother Paul.  more...

Best female

Sheila Harris, the Senior Female Sports Personality, receives her award from Mark Treverton.  more...

Well done

Ben O'Brien received the Disabled Sports Personality award from Bromsgrove Sports' Tony Gay.  more...

Best junior

Ben Roberts is crowned Junior Male Sports Personality, with Danny Prescott presenting the award.  more...

Top junior

Athol Deakin hands Chloe Bate her Junior Female Sports Personality trophy.   more...

Starlet

Daniel Westwood of Warriors FC receives the Young Volunteer award from council chairman councillor Janice Boswell.  more...

Honoured

Members of Chadsgrove School receive a School Sports Award.  more...

Schooling success

St Peters Catholic First School were given a School Sports award.  more...

Blaze of glory

Chief Inspector Tony Love hands members of Bromsgrove Blaze the Young Club Team award.  more...

Big hand

Ken Buckley of Bromsgrove Hockey Club is named Volunteer of the Year.   more...

Top team

Paul Husbands collects the Community Sports Award gong from Hugh Bennett, on behalf of Bromsgrove Cricket Club.  more...

Up the Greens

Rovers chairman Tom Herbert picks up the Club of the Year award from Advertiser/Messenger editor Alan Wallcroft.  more...

Congratulations

Coach of the Year Richard Hadley is congratulated by John Crawford.  more...

Presenters

Ben Hawker and Maimee Morris, who presented the School Sports award.  more...

Outstanding

Bromsgrove Standard editor Tristan Harris presents an Outstanding Contribution award.  more...

Business

Recycling our waste to use elsewhere has earned us an award

A BROMYARD aluminium extrusion company has been awarded a top international environmental standard.  more...

Recycling our waste to use elsewhere has earned us an award

A BROMYARD aluminium extrusion company has been awarded a top international environmental standard.  more...

Recycling our waste to use elsewhere has earned us an award

A BROMYARD aluminium extrusion company has been awarded a top international environmental standard.  more...

Online boost for success of firms

A NEW scheme looking to boost the technological performance of Worcestershire has been launched with the aim of helping 200 businesses in the first year.  more...

Lawyers raise a glass to a vintage year and being proud mothers

THE corporate team at leading law firm Harrison Clark LLP is celebrating a record year for transactions and deliveries.  more...

Two young licensees celebrate winning top award

THE licensees running a Worcester pub are drinking to success after just six months in the job.  more...

Get on your marks for an Olympic-size opportunity

ON Your Marks. Get Set. Go. A series of interactive workshops are being launched this month and Worcestershire companies are set to be among the first to make the most of more than £30 billion of public sector opportunities.  more...

Fixtures

Weekend football fixtures

SATURDAY WORCESTER & DISTRICT LEAGUE FC Tything v VBL Sports (R Gardner); Grosvenor Sports v Martley Spurs (P Fowler); Hanley Swan v West Malvern (J Phillips); University of Worcester v Pershore Manor (L Croy); Worcester YMCA v Upton Town (Laura Gough).  more...

Hockey fixtures

SATURDAY SLAZENGER ENGLISH LEAGUE National North: Stourport v Doncaster (2pm) BODYKRAFT MEN'S LEAGUE Midlands Premier: Olton & West Warwick v Worcester.  more...

Football

Stargold close gap on leaders

FC Stargold are level on points with the leaders Joga Bonito at the top of the Droitwich Sunday Leisure League after a 4-0 win over Slappers On Tour.  more...

Sunday league football results (February 17)

THERE were only two games Bromsgrove and District Football League games, with Navigation beating Nailers Arms 4-1 in Northfield Press LMS Shield quarter-final action, while in the W.A. Harris Cup Group C, Waseley United thrashed Rocklands 12-0.  more...

Spartak held in basement clash

BARNT Green Spartak blew a chance to move out of trouble in the Midland Combination Premier Division with a 0-0 draw against fellow strugglers Meir KA.  more...

Spartak takeover deal agreed

THE long-term future of Barnt Green Spartak has been secured after manager GJ Singh revealed a deal has been struck to merge the Midland Combination Premier Division outfit with an unnamed club.  more...

Junior Sports

Young Spa side edged out by Ledbury

Droitwich RFC under-15s junior rugby report.  more...

Seven-try Chaddesley

Chaddesley Corbett RFC under-12s junior rugby report.  more...

Under-9s keep form going

Rubery FC junior football round-up.  more...

Eleven goal thriller

Lickey End FC under-13s junior football report.  more...

Wins for Colts sides

Santiago Colts Rednal FC junior football report.   more...

Six goal jukes pushes it to the Max

Catshill FC under-7s junior football report.  more...

Park defeat rivals

Meadow Park FC junior football report.  more...

Kidder News Latest

Train attack youth's sentence cut

A YOUTH who admitted throwing a 45lb lump of bricks and mortar from a railway bridge, hitting a passing train and badly injuring its driver, has won a reduction in his seven-and-a-half year sentence at the Court of Appeal.  more...

Plea for lifesaving equipment

AN appeal has gone out to find vital lifesaving equipment across Worcestershire, including Wyre Forest.  more...

Fire service tax rising by 4.92 per cent

COUNCIL taxpayers on Band D in Wyre Forest will pay an extra 6p a week this year for their fire and rescue service.  more...

Fire service tax rising by 4.92 per cent

COUNCIL taxpayers on Band D in Wyre Forest will pay an extra 6p a week this year for their fire and rescue service.  more...

Fire service council tax rising by 4.92 per cent

COUNCIL taxpayers on Band D in Wyre Forest will pay an extra 6p a week this year for their fire and rescue service.  more...

Online poll result - district's roads

SHUTTLE Online voters have voiced their dissatisfaction at the current state of roads in the district.  more...

Call for carnival volunteers

PREPARATIONS for this year's Bewdley carnival are in full swing and organisers are looking for volunteers to continue its success.  more...

Call for carnival volunteers

PREPARATIONS for this year's Bewdley Carnival are in full swing and organisers are looking for volunteers to continue its success.  more...

Nigel’s charity success taken as red

RED was the magic colour for a Kidderminster man when he dyed his beard and helped raise cash for charity.  more...

Ex-soldier groped girl, 12

A FORMER soldier from Kidderminster who groped the breasts of a 12-year-old schoolgirl has been spared a prison sentence.  more...

Doors to re-open after wall collapse fears

A FLORIST whose business was forced to close because it was just yards from a wall in danger of collapse is set to begin trading again.  more...

Town shutdown man charged

A MAN has been charged with a fraud offence after Kidderminster town centre was shut during a major police operation.  more...

Speed cameras reminder for drivers

DRIVERS travelling along the A449 between Kidderminster and Worcester are being reminded by road safety chiefs that speed cameras are watching them.  more...

Speed cameras reminder for drivers

DRIVERS travelling along the A449 between Kidderminster and Worcester are being reminded by road safety chiefs that speed cameras are watching them.  more...

Latest

County paves way for cost-saving e-Auctions

WORCESTERSHIRE County Council is paving the way for other authorities across the region in finding even more ways of running efficiently.  more...

Latest travel news

Check out the latest travel news before you head out to work.  more...

Latest travel news

Check out the latest travel news before you head home.  more...

What's your opinion on the WN website?

EVERY year Newsquest Media asks for your opinions about its newspaper websites, and now it is asking for your views about worcesternews.co.uk  more...

What do you think about the WN website?

EVERY year Newsquest Media asks for your opinions about its newspaper websites, and now it is asking for your views about worcesternews.co.uk  more...

Concerns raised over plans to merge schools

CONCERNS have been raised about proposals to merge two schools in Worcester.  more...

Clean up after your dog or face £50 fine

A POOP-scoop patrol is out to clean up a Worcestershire village plagued with problems of dog mess, and owners are being warned they could face £50 fines if they fail to pick-up after their pet.  more...

Help the homeless in an emergency

A PROJECT which provides emergency accommodation for young people has called for more volunteers.   more...

Grant scheme could help rural economy

A £1.5m grants scheme has been rolled out across Worcestershire aimed at breathing new life into the rural economy.  more...

Serial criminal fined for criminal damage - court

A MAN who poured cider over a car did so because he wanted to “have it out” with the owner, a court has heard.  more...

Calls for cancer machine debate

A WORCESTERSHIRE county councillor has called for people across the county to lobby for a radiotherapy machine to be based at a Worcester hospital.  more...

Protests at house scheme for edge of estate

PLANS for a major new development on the edge of a Worcester housing estate have been met with strong opposition.  more...

Protests at house scheme for edge of estate

PLANS for a major new development on the edge of a Worcester housing estate have been met with strong opposition.  more...

Youngsters told they can’t use hall anymore

YOUNGSTERS on Droitwich’s Westlands estate have been told they can’t continue to use a community hall for their Sunday school after a clash between two community groups.  more...

Help us solve the riddle of Louise's death

THE grieving husband of a mum-of-three who plunged to her death after a night in Worcester has backed a fresh police appeal for witnesses to come forward.  more...

Youth kicked man on ground in head - court

A TEENAGER kicked a man in the head while he lay on the ground following an argument over a blanket, a court heard.  more...

It’s a close look at a millipede for Laura

ANIMAL-loving children got up close and personal with creepy crawlies and minibeasts at a veterinary surgery in Malvern.  more...

Protests at homes scheme for edge of estate

PLANS for a major new development on the edge of a Worcester housing estate have met strong opposition.  more...

COMMENT: Were you in Drummonds on Nov 30?

THE death of Louise Burkes remains a mystery - and today we urge anyone with information that might allow the police to provide some answers for her grieving family to help in any way they can.  more...

COMMENT: Were you in Drummonds on Nov 30?

THE death of Louise Burkes remains a mystery - and today we urge anyone with information that might allow the police to provide some answers for her grieving family to help in any way they can.  more...

Man had cocaine taken as he lay unconscious in street - court

A MAN left lying unconscious outside a Worcester pub after a fight had cocaine with a street value of £400 taken off him.  more...

You can audition for city's big talent show

IF Worcestershire residents have talent, then Midland Musical Theatre Group (MMTG) want to see it.  more...

Be more organised to save cash, council told

WORCESTER’S cash-strapped city council could save at least half a million pounds a year if managers were better organised when buying equipment and services, a report says.  more...

Terror as chef hunted alleged rapist - court

A FORMER chef armed with a ball-bearing gun and a meat cleaver terrified agricultural workers when he called at a Worcester farm looking for an alleged rapist.  more...

Snow? No...

IF you thought it was snowing yesterday - you were wrong. Let us explain what you really saw floating down from the sky.  more...

Do you know the whereabouts of life-saving equipment?

WEST Midlands Ambulance Service has appealed for organisations who have bought life saving equipment to tell them where it is located.  more...

Worcester News weather watch

Keep up to date with the latest weather forecast and travel news with your Worcester News.  more...

Stephanie is on the right path to being a solicitor

FORMER Nunnery Wood High School student Stephanie Richardson has her feet on the first rung of the ladder to becoming a solicitor.  more...

Pedestrian hurt in hit-and-run

A WHITE vehicle is being hunted by police after hitting a pedestrian in Worcester.  more...

Light goes out in village after Doreen's death

A WOMAN who was at the heart of a village community near Worcester for 33 years has died peacefully at Worcestershire Royal Hospital aged 71.  more...

Mother with debts stole teacher's handbag

A MOTHER stole a teacher’s handbag when she went to collect her son’s sweatshirt from school, a court heard.  more...

Breath of life for rural economy

A £1.5m grants scheme has been rolled out across Worcestershire aimed at breathing new life into the rural economy.  more...

Farewell to an old friend

MOURNERS packed in to a village church to say farewell to a former picture editor of the Worcester News, Ken Upton.  more...

Step back in time to the '40s

WARTIME spirit, music and laughter will echo around a Worcestershire hall next month.  more...

'Mad' cyclist takes on 1,000 charity cycle ride

A daredevil dubbed "the mad woman" by a the chairman of a local Multiple Sclerosis Society is training for her next big challenge for the charity - a 1,034-mile cycle ride the length of Great Britain. Carla Jones, aged 31, plans to make £1,000 to add to the £2,400 she raised by climbing the three highest mountains in the UK and doing a tandem charity skydive. Miss Jones, of St Peter's, Worcester, decided to help the charity after a friend was diagnosed with the disease at the age of 29. To sponsor her, log on to www.justgiving.com/carlajones1 Picture: Jon Fuller-Rowell. 08313801  more...

Ways set for scrap

FIVE Ways Old Edwardians' hopes of pulling off the great escape were given another boost at the weekend when they beat bottom-of-the-table Aldridge to condemn their hosts to the drop from Midlands West Five (North).  more...

Woods climbing

TEENAGE Woodrush right wing Lee Nixon capped a fine team display as the hosts turned over basement boys Evesham 38-7 to climb within two points of second place in Midlands West Four (South).  more...

Rally ace starts season in style

WEATHEROAK driver Roger Taylor started the rally season in style by winning his B10 class and coming 43rd overall in the Wydean Forest Rally.  more...

Letters

Public aren’t fooled by these crime statistics

SIR - In recent weeks there have been numerous incidents of theft within Worcester centre.  more...

The difference is freedom of choice

SIR - Regarding the letter from Councillor David Candler (February 11), I would suggest the only positive actions to come out of the EU are the takeover of our elected Government.  more...

Consultation was a real waste of time

SIR - About 18 months ago I responded to a consultation document issued by the EU on the permanent use of dipped headlights.  more...

When is it our time to be spruced up?

SIR - Peter Scott's constructive and thoughtful letter (about the positive effect of EU membership on the cleanliness of our rivers and beaches) set me wondering why we don't use our EU membership to press both the EU and our government to start making Britain less like the Third World nation it has become? Why do we put up with parts of Worcestershire being some of the poorest in the EU?  more...

We’re fascinated to know about cuts

SIR - Given the situation the city council finds itself in trying to cope with the Goverment's cash cut, I am sure readers would be fascinated to know which services would be cut or suffer price increases given Richard Udall's comments on funeral charges.  more...

Stand up and be counted, Mr Layland

SIR - I see the savage cuts were voted through by the city council. Isn't it rather disappointing to see that one councillor actually couldn't stand up and be counted - Councillor Layland abstaining. You were either in favour or against!  more...

I remember the 1947 blizzards

SIR - I vividly remember the blizzard of 1947. Our village, Aston Somerville, was totally cut off for about a week. Food was fetched from Broadway on the backs of cart horses. I was 10 at the time. We kids loved it - a week off school.  more...

Don’t bulldoze!

I HOPE that the council planners seriously think before bulldozing the old Victorian buildings of Meadows School, Bromsgrove. Surely they can be used to accommodate the overflow of children instead of portakabins and portakabins for toilets.  more...

Which Rubery?

HAVING read tlast week's newspaper where it states that in Rubery dispersal and alcohol free zones have been very successful' only leads me to conclude that the police department that work within Rubery are working in a different Rubery to the one in which I live.  more...

Senior votes

IF you are, like me, over 60 and fed up with having what little purchasing power you have with you're meagre funds eroded away even more, then read on. I have paid rates and their replacements since taking on my first house purchase in 1958.  more...

Government is to blame

PEOPLE are understandably upset that concessionary parking passes have been axed in Bromsbrove. But let's be clear who is to blame - the Labour Government!  more...

Slap in the face

AFTER being a loyal support of the Conservative Party in Bromsgrove for over 40 years I find myself shocked and ashamed of this Council's actions.  more...

Money failures

IN response to Roger Hollingworth's letter, the leader of Bromsgrove District Council fails to inform readers of his obsession which is to invest nearly £7m on what is known as the SPATIAL programme (IT) The £1.6m gap he talks so much about is mainly due to the failure of this programme which now costs more than £350,000 a year along with the loss of £250,000 on the £5.79m being invested this year.  more...

Access for the disabled is appalling

DISABLED facilities in Bromsgrove High Street are appalling.  more...

Spa losing out

IT was stated by a Wychavon district councillor on BBC Hereford and Worcester the other day, that to encourage shoppers to Pershore, parking fees on certain days will be 10 pence for three hours.  more...

Lions help

MANY thanks to Droitwich Spa Lions for their generous donation.  more...

Offer your time

AS a local Marie Curie Cancer Care nurse, I am calling on people from Droitwich and Bromsgrove areas to give up just two hours of their time during March to help raise vital funds for the charity's annual Great Daffodil Appeal, supported by Yellow Pages.  more...

Save cycle route

CONGRATULATIONS to Les Taylor and well done the Advertiser for the prominence given to Cycle Route 45.  more...

Who’s policing smoke laws?

PERHAPS you can tell me why after several months of the smoking ban in public places, public houses are allowing their customers to contravene the law of the land.  more...

Accommodating voluntary groups

WE continue to hear, quite rightly, of the need for affordable housing in our town, and the planning authority's addressing of this issue. I should like to highlight the need for affordable premises for our voluntary bodies who give so much to our community yet struggle to find suitable premises from which to operate. They do not seek large premises but do need to be accessible to the people seeking their help - people who might otherwise have to be served by our already hard-pressed statutory social services. It would be good to think that this could be borne in mind when plans are being drawn up: maybe the ground floor of blocks of flats would provide ideal accommodation, or small purpose-built units?  more...

Belle Vue trees

I WAS most impressed by the archive picture of the planting of the Belle Vue trees featured in the Malvern Memories section recently.  more...

Lifestyle

The battle to stop teens becoming pregnant

A SOAP opera may sound like an unlikely and even bizarre way to stop teenagers getting pregnant. But this is one of the methods Worcestershire Teenage Pregnancy Partnership is using in its battle to cut the rate of under 18 conceptions by half by 2010.  more...

The battle to stop teens becoming pregnant

A SOAP opera may sound like an unlikely and even bizarre way to stop teenagers getting pregnant. But this is one of the methods Worcestershire Teenage Pregnancy Partnership is using in its battle to cut the rate of under 18 conceptions by half by 2010.  more...

The battle to stop teens becoming pregnant

A SOAP opera may sound like an unlikely and even bizarre way to stop teenagers getting pregnant. But this is one of the methods Worcestershire Teenage Pregnancy Partnership is using in its battle to cut the rate of under 18 conceptions by half by 2010.  more...

Memory Lane

It’s the perfect line-up

I remarked here recently that during the 20 years I have been compiling Memory Lane we have had few photograph of Watt Close school, writes Pete Lammas.  more...

100 years ago February 22, 1908

MANCHESTER United players were staying at a hotel in Droitwich, taking advantage of the waters as part of their preparations for their important forthcoming English FA Cup tie with Aston Villa.  more...

50 years ago, February 22, 1958

ARTHUR Neale, the first man to drive a motor bus in Bromsgrove, had died aged 73. Mr Neale, from Station Street, came to Bromsgrove in 1902 and his first job had been to drive the omnibus which plied between the Golden Cross Hotel in High Street and the railway station. Its departure was signalled by the ringing of a bell outside the hotel. He later joined his father's motor business in Station Street. He recalled one memorable journey when he was driving a bus from Stratford-on-Avon to Bromsgrove and had 27 punctures. The journey took ten hours.  more...

25 Years Ago, February 18, 1983

POLICE were hunting three men who held up Michael Gaffney, the landlord of the Hundred House pub in Sidemoor, as he was walking to Bromsgrove to bank the takings contained in a hold all. As he approached Parkside School, a man leapt out of a parked car demanding he hand over the bag while an accomplice pointed a12 bore shotgun at him from a rear window. The four-door Morris Marina then sped off. This was the third cash snatch in the town in the last two months.  more...

Music

African spirit

GRAMMY Award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir visits Malvern Theatres on Saturday (February 23) for two performances of its new show, African Spirit.  more...

Jones ready for Jays gig

A GROUP set up to raise funds for Multiple Sclerosis J.A.Y.s presents Nick Jones (right) and his band Heart and Soul at the DDS and S Club in Stourbridge Road, Bromsgrove on Saturday.  more...

A ‘Beautiful Day’ with top U2 tribute

U2UK are back at the Artrix in Bromsgrove on Saturday March 1 with their incredible tribute to Irish rockers U2.  more...

Acts set to rock at Bigge Venue

TARDEBIGGE has an an exciting new music venue for up and coming and local bands.  more...

Tribute band at Kidderminster pub

KIDDERMINSTER tribute band, the Whoo, are set to play their debut gig at the Boars Head Taphouse pub tomorrow.  more...

News

Griffiths in plea to Sixways faithful

SIXWAYS' famous Friday night roar will be a big part of Worcester Warriors' armoury when they host London Irish this week (8pm).  more...

Concert clause helps County recoup losses

LITTLE did Worcestershire know that when Elton John blasted out I'm Still Standing' back in June 2006, that his concert would help keep the cricket club on their feet 12 months later.  more...

Worcs handed injuries boost

SIMON Jones and Matt Mason are on course to be fit and firing for the start of the new season according to Worcestershire's director of cricket Steve Rhodes.  more...

Programme fair

BROMSGROVE Rovers Supporters Club are holding a programme and badge fair at the Victoria Ground's social club on Sunday May 25.  more...

Darby desperate for new faces

DUANE Darby has admitted he is becoming increasingly frustrated in his hunt for fire-power, as he aims to bolster his threadbare Rovers squad in time for the visit of Clevedon.  more...

Fabulous February could get better

EVERYBODY concerned with Evesham United will be hoping thirteen doesn't prove unlucky in their quest to claim the Southern League Division One Midlands Championship.  more...

Good odds for Salisbury visit

Mark Yates was left frustrated as Kidderminster's clash at Crawley was called off a couple of hours before kick off but as other results saw the Harriers slip to 13th in the table, Yates' assistant Neil Howarth insisted that the team weren't giving up on the season.  more...

Yates keeps a close eye on loan rangers

HARRIERS manager Mark Yates is hopeful that loan signings Matthew Bailey and Luke Jones will be able to stay at Aggborough for the rest of the season.  more...

Yates keeps a close eye on loan rangers

HARRIERS manager Mark Yates is hopeful that loan signings Matthew Bailey and Luke Jones will be able to stay at Aggborough for the rest of the season.  more...

Noah'S Ark Appeal

Noah's Ark podcast

WORCESTER News editor Kevin Ward and Gabby Beddows from Noah's Ark recently appeared on Wyvern FM to discuss our £1m 'Towards a Brighter Futre' camapign.
Listen to the podcast here.  more...

Noah's Ark podcast

WORCESTER News editor Kevin Ward and Gabby Beddows from Noah's Ark recently appeared on Wyvern FM to discuss our £1m 'Towards a Brighter Futre' camapign.
Listen to the podcast here.  more...

Noah's Ark podcast

WORCESTER News editor Kevin Ward and Gabby Beddows from Noah's Ark recently appeared on Wyvern FM to discuss our £1m 'Towards a Brighter Futre' camapign.
Listen to the podcast here.  more...

Noah's Ark podcast

WORCESTER News editor Kevin Ward and Gabby Beddows from Noah's Ark recently appeared on Wyvern FM to discuss our £1m 'Towards a Brighter Futre' camapign.
Listen to the podcast here.  more...

Noah's Ark podcast

WORCESTER News editor Kevin Ward and Gabby Beddows from Noah's Ark recently appeared on Wyvern FM to discuss our £1m 'Towards a Brighter Futre' camapign.
Listen to the podcast here.  more...

Noah's Ark podcast

WORCESTER News editor Kevin Ward and Gabby Beddows from Noah's Ark recently appeared on Wyvern FM to discuss our £1m 'Towards a Brighter Future' campaign.  more...

Reports

Threadbare Rovers lack attacking spark

Tiverton 1
Rovers 0
  more...

Malvern 29, Whitchurch 8

MALVERN continue to lead the race for Midlands One after victory over Whitchurch at Spring Lane.  more...

Reviews

First class farce hits all the right spots

Review - In the Club at the Festival Theatre, Malvern, until Saturday THE Euro gravy train almost comes off the rails in this racy and frantic first-class farce which hit all the right spots to keep an enthusiastic audience roaring with laughter.  more...

First class farce hits all the right spots

Review - In the Club at the Festival Theatre, Malvern, until Saturday. THE Euro gravy train almost comes off the rails in this racy and frantic first-class farce which hit all the right spots to keep an enthusiastic audience roaring with laughter.  more...

First class farce hits all the right spots

Review - In the Club at the Festival Theatre, Malvern, until Saturday.  more...

In the Club provides plenty of laughs

In The Club was a traditional farce and although entirely predictable from beginning to end offered plenty of laughs along the way. Set in a hotel room in Brussels the plot follows MEP Philip Wardrobe as he looks forward to a lazy day with little more to do than fiddle his expenses and spend the afternoon with his girlfriend Nicola, who is flying over from England. Naturally, as this is a farce that follows every convention, this is not how things turn out. For starters his PA is a Russian illegal imigrant and there's a plumber with a false mustache who turns out to be an undercover agent who ends up hiding in the linen cupboard. Add Mehmet the Turk and a briefcase full of banknotes, an authoritarian and very German Socialist, a comedy Belgian policeman and a sexy French female MEP set on seduction and you have a recipe for anthing but the quiet day Philip Wardrobe had planned. As for the plot there's plenty of it. A bribery and corruption scandal connected with the entry of Turkey into the EU, the undercovering of corruption amongst the MEPs, a Jiffy bag letter bomb plot and the endless complications arising from mistaken identities and a hotel room with multiple doors and two women both persuing the same man. With lots of silly accents, terrible, but funny, European stereotypes and lots of not very PC jokes at the expense of just about every European nationality it's a play that aims to please. Trousers fall down, breifcases and drinks are switched, sex toys turn up and characters sneak around and hide in cupboards and underneath Archbishop's robes. There is nothing we haven't seen before in numerous other farces but it's amusing and laugh out loud at times. James Fleet plays the increasingly confused and flustered MEP with a natural weariness and Sian Brooke is great as Sasha the efficient Russian PA from Murmansk. But my favourite character, perhaps because he gets some of the best lines, was Ken Bones as Eddie Fredericks the Yorkshire pig farmer and UKIP MEP. In The Club is an entertaining comedy that becomes increasingly manic and ridiculous as it progresses and anyone who enjoys the farce genre will love it. European politics and the issues of democracy and corruption are part of the play but only in the sense that they provide a suitably silly backdrop, with the EU being portrayed as little more than an extravagant, exclusive and ultimately ridiculous club.  more...

In the Club provides plenty of laughs

In The Club was a traditional farce and although entirely predictable from beginning to end offered plenty of laughs along the way.  more...

Round-Up

Semi-final spot for Spa boxer

DROITWICH Amateur Boxing Club's Josh Turner has reached the National semi-finals of the Schoolboy Championships.  more...

Nomads edge out the Rebels

NOMADS narrowly edged to victory over Heenans Rebels by just two pins in Division One of the Worcester and District Ladies Skittles League.  more...

Life's a drag for family-run team

WORCESTER'S Can Do drag racing team are celebrating victory in two competitions this season.  more...

Promotion dreams dented by controversial strikes

WORCESTER Women's hopes of returning to the National League were dealt a huge blow when they fell to a 2-0 defeat at Matlock Bailens in the Midlands Premier Division.  more...

Marcus strikes twice as basement side are held

CHADDESLEY Corbett were held to a 4-4 draw against Kingswinford in the first of two games over the weekend.  more...

Spa fall to defeat in five-goal thriller

DROITWICH were on the wro-ng end of a five-goal thriller in the West Midlands Premier League against Old Haleson-ians.  more...

Spa fall to defeat in five-goal thriller

DROITWICH were on the wrong end of a five-goal thriller in the West Midlands Premier League against Old Halesonians.  more...

Sloppy City side hand North Stafford victory

WORCESTER men's firsts crashed to a 4-1 defeat against North Stafford in the BodyK-raft Midlands Premier Divis-ion.  more...

Wins shared in sailing series

WILLIAM Lockett and Rob Lennox each won one race in Barnt Green Sailing Club's latest Sunday Snowflake Series event.  more...

Stockdale kicks off with victory

CYCLING: Ben Stockdale from Bromsgrove-based MJS Racing kicked off the new road racing season with a win in Wiltshire.  more...

Club miss out on promotion

DESPITE the ever-reliable Dave Kesterton finishing seventh Bromsgrove and Redditch missed out on promotion by one place in the Birmingham Invitation Cross Country League.  more...

Close run contests

THERE were some close games in Division One of the Bromsgrove and Redditch Table Tennis League, with three of them ending 6-4.  more...

Turner books spot in semi-finals

DROITWICH amateur Josh Turner comfortably outpointed Huddersfield fighter Liam Taranji to book his place in the nation semi-finals of the Schoolboy Boxing Championships.  more...

Kirk shows promise

TALENTED Bromsgrove junior rider Jack Kirk showed flashes of potential, finishing in a respectable 18th place for Wyre Forest CC at the 43rd Perfs Pedal Road Race.  more...

Dream almost over after loss

HOCKEY: Skipper Julian Court has urged his Bromsgrove players not to let their season die out after a 3-1 defeat at Old Halesonians all but ended their promotion hopes.  more...

Strutt fight confirmed

DROITWICH boxer Alex Strutt will make his long-awaited return to the ring on April 13 at Birmingham's Tower Ballroom.  more...

Police renew van plea

Police investigating the theft of a Parcel Force van have renewed an appeal for witnesses.  more...

Pub ban for town man

A twenty-YEAR-OLD Bromsgrove man has been warned that he faces a five-year jail sentence if he breaks a court order issued last week.  more...

Call-outs

BROMSGROVE firefighters tackled a skip fire in Catshill on Monday, February 18. One hose reel was used to extinguish the blaze, which broke out at 10.45pm in Lingfield Walk. Crews also attended a collision between two cars, with one of the vehicles on its side, on Tuesday, February 19. The collision happened at 7.28am on the A448 Redditch to Bromsgrove highway and no one was trapped or injured in the crash.  more...

Birmingham past and present

FASCINATING pictures of Birmingham before and after the inner ring road was constructed, are to be featured in a slideshow at Bromsgrove library. Local author, Mark Norton, will be comparing his father's photographs from the 1950s and 60s with those of today, highlighting the many buildings bulldozed in the name of progress. Mark is the author of the recently published book Birmingham Past and Present. His slide-show is to be held in the Stratford Road library on March 8 from 2.30-3.30pm. The talk is free, but places are limited so people are being warned to book early on 01905 765025.  more...

Advice session

RESIDENTS in the Norton ward in Bromsgrove are being invited to an advice session, on Saturday, February 23, arranged by Conservative district councillors Mike Webb and Maddy Bunker. The session is being held at Lickey End Methodist Church, Alcester Road, Lickey End, between 9 and 11am when householders will have the chance to voice any concerns they have.  more...

Car collides with tree

A MAN and a woman were taken to hospital after the car they were in collided with a tree in Rednal. Fire crews rescued the pair, a 19 year-old male and 17-year-old female, who were trapped inside the vehicle in Lickey Road. Ambulance crews resuscitated one of the occupants who was unconscious and not breathing. Two ambulances and a rapid response vehicle attended the incident shortly after 6am on Sunday, February 17. A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: "Both were taken by ambulance to Selly Oak Hospital where staff had been put on alert awaiting their arrival."  more...

Budget talks

BROMSGROVE residents could be hit with a council tax increase which is part of the county council budget being debated this week. Worcestershire County Council meets on Thursday, February 20, at Wychavon District Council's Civic Centre, in Pershore, to discuss budget proposals which include a council tax increase of 4.34 per cent, a rise of £41 on a Band D property, to £981. Other proposals for Worcestershire's towns include £5 million for flood works and a £15 million programme for improving roads. Designating Rubery roads, in and around the A38, as a low emission zone, will also be discussed.  more...

Pollution bid

POLLUTION from vehicles has become so bad in Rubery that a county councillor is to bypass the system to try to solve the problem.  more...

Car fire

BROMSGROVE firefighters were called to a car fire in Catshill on February 12. Crews were called to Golden Cross Lane at 6.52pm and quickly extinguished the blaze. No one was hurt in the incident.  more...

Webbs are wonders yet again!

DELIGHTED staff at Webbs, in Wychbold, are celebrating success after the garden centre was officially crowned the best in the UK for the second year running.  more...

Premier star's mum joins in soccer pitch plea

MANAGERS at Meadow Park Football Club are appealing to local businesses to help save the club and the aspirations of 250 Bromsgrove youngsters.  more...

Premier star's mum joins in soccer pitch plea

MANAGERS at Meadow Park Football Club are appealing to local businesses to help save the club and the aspirations of 250 Bromsgrove youngsters.  more...

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Lickey Hills Art Society

Our first meeting of 2008 was a great success. Members and visitors saw Eric Watson give an entertaining and informative demonstration on animals and wildlife in pastel.  more...

Children lose out in community hall row

A VITAL and popular children's group is facing closure after being forced to leave its current home.  more...

What a healthy day out

YOUNGSTERS were given an insight into healthy eating and local produce during a trip to Ombersley.  more...

House plan is approved

PLANNING officials went against concerns raised by Droitwich Spa Town Council and residents when they approved plans for a new housing development.  more...

Girl scares off stranger

A GIRL kicked a man who held her arm as she sat on a wall in Droitwich Spa.  more...

Rhyming challenge

TUNEFUL tots from a Spa nursery enjoyed a rhyming challenge for charity.  more...

Rumble in the jumble

A JUMBLE sale in aid of St Richard's Hospice will be held at Wychbold Royal British Legion on Saturday, March 1.  more...

Weakened side overrun on the road

Old Patesians 28, Evesham U-12 7pts ON A cold, crisp but very sunny Sunday, Evesham travelled to Cheltenham Junior College but were stretched to field a team due to the half-term holiday.  more...

Latest shooting news

Evesham and District Airgun League Results: Badsey RBL 266 (G Evans, G Sams 46), Bengeworth Club 257 (D Saxton 45); Campden RBL 279 (R Pitcher 49), Nomads 257 (G Steed 48); Honeybourne RC 251 (M Sinclair, P Skrypczuk 45), Offenham RBL 284 (J Beadle, Miss A Lewis 49); Lygon Arms 268 (C Ambrose 47), Stanton Club 266 (A Woodward 47); Wickhamford SSC 277 (D Baglin, N Taylor 49), Badsey Rec 263 (A Green 47).  more...

Latest darts results

Birdseye Sports Evesham and District Ladies League Knockout Cup fourth round: Beckford SC 5, Littleton BC 4; Oddfellows B 2, Long Lartin B 7; Ambassador 3, Badsey RBL 6; Bretforton RBL A 6, Corner Cupboard 3.  more...

Change of destination for Wheelers

LAST Sunday's run for Evesham Wheelers was led by Tony Canning with the original destination of Malvern changed to Earls Croome with an eye on the weather and the coffee stop closed for refurbishment.  more...

Tyrrell masters Medal competition

ON A fine calm day, playing off Evesham's white 'tiger' tees, playing long in carry, Ian Tyrrell earned a sound win with a nett 70 to clinch the February Medal on countback from Boz Harris.  more...

Skipper Gregory is an indoor ace

LATEST action in the Worcestershire Cricket Board Indoor League at Prince Henry's Sports Centre resulted in fine wins for Elmley Castle and Evesham Casuals.  more...

Seniors sidelined as seconds collect points

PERHORE'S men were left kicking their heels last Saturday when the scheduled game against Rugeley was cancelled due to an injury crisis at the host club.  more...

Three net as Bidford win

Bidford Ladies 3, Droitwich 0 BIDFORD started well on their home grass surface and had several shots on goal before Jeni Wright broke the deadlock with a close-range strike.  more...

Table toppers are given a scare

Tenbury 3, Evesham Ladies 1 EVESHAM visited top of the table Tenbury and produced a fine performance but returned home empty-handed.  more...

Six-shooter Stuart the star as Stafford sunk in style

Evesham II 9, Stafford 0 EVESHAM were out to seek revenge for a 4-1 defeat earlier in the season and also to extend their nine-match unbeaten run.  more...

Pershore squad shoots to success

PERSHORE showed it had some of the brightest talents in basketball after a brilliant performance in a Wychavon competition.  more...

No frosty welcome for Rangers at the Mill!

HEAVY overnight frost accounted for much of Sunday's programme in the Birdseye Sports Evesham and District League with all the matches in the first division called off.  more...

Medals of all colours won in pool

LAST weekend proved extremely successful for members of Evesham Swimming Club.  more...

Double delight after Ben's aces

A TALENTED 12-year-old golfer is celebrating after shooting an amazing two holes-in-one in a week at The Vale Golf Club.  more...

Fabulous February could get better

EVERYBODY concerned with Evesham United will be hoping thirteen doesn't prove unlucky in their quest to claim the Southern League Division One Midlands Championship.  more...

High praise for Colwall pupils

PUPILS at Colwall Primary School won special praise from an Ofsted inspector who visited last month.  more...

Today's events

Wednesday Tai Chi class with Altair de Almeida at the Burgage Hall, Church Lane, Ledbury. 7.30pm. Details www.altairedstates.co.uk or 01684 562528.  more...

Today's events

Wednesday Tai Chi class with Altair de Almeida at the Burgage Hall, Church Lane, Ledbury. 7.30pm. Details www.altairedstates.co.uk or 01684 562528.  more...

Speedy soldier skiis to success

A FORMER Hanley Castle High School pupil is celebrating after he had general success in an Army skiing competition.  more...

Speedy soldier skis to success

A FORMER Hanley Castle High School pupil is celebrating after he had general success in an Army skiing competition.  more...

Plan for new starter homes

FOUR new starter homes' could be built on the site of an existing cottage in Malvern Link.  more...

Sign up for Frogwatch

MALVERN Hills Conservators are looking for volunteers to help take care of frogs and toads this spring.  more...

Classic car auctioneer putting in the miles

A CLASSIC car auctioneer from Malvern is going to run the London Marathon this year for children's charity Barnardos.  more...

Bargain bazaar a huge success

A FUNDRAISING gift fair at the Three Counties Showground held last week was a great success, raising more than £1,700.  more...

Temperatures plummet in Malvern but will soon go up again

TEMPERATURES plummeted as Malvern endured several sharp frosts this week.  more...

Darjeeling visit for Malvern fundraisers

FIVE Malvern people were among a party of thirty who have just returned from the trip of a lifetime to the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India.  more...

Darjeeling visit for Malvern fundraisers

FIVE Malvern people were among a party of thirty who have just returned from the trip of a lifetime to the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India.  more...

Fairtrade fortnight in Malvern

FAIRTRADE Fortnight is heading to Malvern to highlight a better deal for producers around the world.  more...

Search for 'Supermum'.

TO celebrate Mother's Day, Morrisons in Malvern has joined forces with Hallmark Cards to launch a Supermum' competition to find local fantastic mothers to go forward to a national final.  more...

Highway concerns could be crucial

A CRUCIAL statement from the Highways Authority may be the deciding factor in a long-running planning dispute in Malvern Wells.  more...

QinetiQ disputes claims of 200 Malvern job cuts

UNION claims that 200 jobs will be lost at QinetiQ's Malvern branch have been disputed by the defence company.  more...

Powick are stopped in their tracks

POWICK were unable to maintain their winning run and were convincingly beaten 3-0 by Punjab United in the West Midlands League Division Two.  more...

Upton prove too strong for Pinley in league encounter

UPTON travelled to the Warwickshire countryside for their Midlands Five West (South) clash with Pinley and came away with a 26-15 success.  more...

Field maintenance cost remains with taxpayers

THE cost of maintaining the playing field off Sling Lane in Malvern will continue to be borne by Malvern Hills taxpayers as a whole.  more...

Amery’s hard work pays off with host of honours

MIKE Amery was the star of the show as he scooped a whole hosts of top honours at VC Sevale Malvern's annual awards night.  more...

Crackpots at double to see off high-fliers

TWO Crackpots teams defeated higher-ranked opposition to reach the quarter-finals of the Malvern League Handicap Competition.  more...

Presteigne race marks season end for Harriers

LEDBURY Harriers capped a successful season with good finishes in the final race of the Herefordshire Cross Country League near Presteigne.  more...

Stamina key to success for Ledbury competitors

LEDBURY Swimming Club scooped eight medals at the county distance championships.  more...

Ledbury close in on leaders with victory

LEDBURY produced another fine display to win 23-7 at Old Leamingtonians in Midlands Four West (South).  more...

Roundup

Good odds for Salisbury visit

Mark Yates was left frustrated as Kidderminster's clash at Crawley was called off a couple of hours before kick off but as other results saw the Harriers slip to 13th in the table, Yates' assistant Neil Howarth insisted that the team weren't giving up on the season.  more...

Walker savours his golden glory

RISING Samurai star Tom Walker produced his best ever performance to win gold at the Midlands Age-Banded Open.  more...

Hough hat-trick leaves Ledbury stunned

BEWDLEY continued their resurgence up the West Midlands League Premier Division by beating Ledbury Town 3-1 on Saturday.  more...

Harriers ladies make it a fine nine

Women's football round-up  more...

Victory keeps KCs’ top five dream alive

Rugby round-up  more...

Battling point secures promotion for women

STOURPORT Ladies secured promotion from the Midlands Division B after drawing 1-1 draw with Bridgnorth on Saturday.  more...

Kirk takes hills in his stride

WYRE Forest junior rider Jack Kirk tackled rolling hills to finish a respectable 18th place at the Perfs Pedal road race on Sunday.  more...

Girls’ taster sessions successful

WHARTON Park GC's girls taster sessions were hailed a huge success.  more...

Shaw's Alpine adventure

FORMER Wolverley High School pupil Peter Shaw tested his skills in the Army Alpine Ski Championships in France.  more...

Knights rider

TITLE-chasing Burlish Olympic boosted their chances of winning the Saturday Division One by defeating Furnace Sports 5-1.  more...

Stourport and District Youth Football League round-up

U8s: Worcester Youth 6, Kidderminster Athletic 0; Bewdley Town 0, Kinver Colts 0; Mostyn Rangers 1, Areley Kings Youth 2; Kidderminster Lions 7, Mostyn Lions 0; Kidderminster Lions Cubs 5, Forest Falcons West 0; Worcester Colts 3, Ferndale 1; Nunnery Sharks 0, Nunnery Scorpions 7.  more...

Stourport and District Youth Football League round-up

All the scores from the popular junior league.  more...

Yates keeps a close eye on loan rangers

HARRIERS manager Mark Yates is hopeful that loan signings Matthew Bailey and Luke Jones will be able to stay at Aggborough for the rest of the season.  more...

Rugby

Droitwich keep up pressure

Droitwich 36
Berkswell 20
Midlands Division Three West (South)
  more...

Boars Bark-ing mad as chance is wasted

Bromsgrove 17
Barkers Butts 17
Midlands Division Two (West)  more...

Schools News

Glowing report for pre-school

A PLAYGROUP which celebrates its 40th anniversary in Worcester this year has received a glowing report from government inspectors.  more...

Glowing report for pre-school

A PLAYGROUP which celebrates its 40th anniversary in Worcester this year has received a glowing report from government inspectors.  more...

Glowing report for pre-school

A PLAYGROUP which celebrates its 40th anniversary in Worcester this year has received a glowing report from government inspectors.  more...

Society

Bromsgrove U3A

AT the last meeting of Bromsgrove U3A , Keith Robinson delighted a large audience with his talk on the Derbyshire custom of well-dressing.  more...

Blackwell & Burcot WI

ON a lovely sunny day, Barbara Savage, the president welcomed everybody - including a new member and a visitor - to the February meeting held in the village hall.  more...

Welsh Society

IT seems a long time since I wrote a report on the Welsh Society. We have a lot planned for the rest of the year.  more...

Theatre

Certain thriller

DROITWICH'S Norbury Theatre is preparing for it's latest thriller Dead Certain' directed by Anne Lane.  more...

The Bard at speed

THE Complete works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) comes direct from the West End to Worcestershire later this month.  more...

Passion is the point

THE most sexy and passionate dance of all comes to Redditch's Palace Theatre, later this month.  more...

Villages

Madresfield and Guarlford

LAY reader Martin Harbor entertained 40 people and two children at teh Lunch Box Club at Malvern Priory last Thursday. Known for his talks, especially with children, using magic and puppets, he spoke about his faith and how he uses his skills in magic to explain Gospel truths. In particular he joined three rings to illustrate the Trinity; and by linking six rings he illustrated unity among the churches.  more...

Suckley

THE Local History Society will be holding its last open meeting of this season on Thursday, February 28 at the Suckley Village Hall. All are welcome to come to what is expected to be a fascinating evening. Duncan James will be giving a talk about the construction of timber frame buildings - a subject which will appeal to many so come early to be sure of a seat. Tickets will be £3 and as usual this will include a glass of wine and nibbles.  more...

West Malvern

LOCAL residents will be pleased to learn that PC Wendy Saunders will be returning to the West Malvern as beat officer in the near future. Wendy, who lives in St John's, Worcester and is currently working in Tenbury, was a popular, visible and effective officer during an earlier spell in the village and will be welcomed back. Interest in the local police presence has heightened since the incident a fortnight ago in which some two dozen cars on West Malvern Road were vandalised late at night, allegedly by under-age drinkers.  more...

What'S On

Where to go (February 20-February 29)

Wednesday February 20 THEATRE: Elevenses Variety Showcase, Palace Theatre, Redditch (2pm).  more...

Cry-ing laughter as Barry returns

POPULAR comedian and raconteur Barry Cryer makes a welcome return to Redditch's Palace Theatre stage in an evening that will give your chuckle muscles a real good work out.  more...

Yesteryear’s toys will bring the crowds and memories flocking to fairs

WHETHER a novice or avid collector those interested in collectable toys are in for a treat at The Toy Collectors Fair on Sunday at The NEC.  more...

  
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