Stories for 17 April 2003
Leisure
Comedian Brian Bradley will be paying tribute to the great Chubby Brown at a charity night later this month. more...
Stourbridge singer/ songwriter Ben Smith will be launching his new album `Alone in the Network' at a town pub next week. more...
Thurs April 17 more...
Stourbridge band Audiogene (formerly known as Bottlerockit) are set to play their first headline gig at The Robin R`n'B Club, Merry Hill, later this month. more...
Bobby Johnson and the Bobcats will be swinging into the Ashwood, Bells Lane, Wordsley next Thursday (April 24). more...
The NC Big Band Sessions have restarted at The Whittington Inn, A449. The sessions, which were held at The Stewponey for two years, and will now be run on the second Monday of each month. more...
Wollaston youngsters are busy rehearsing for their production of Beauty and the Beast next month. more...
See what life is really like in a modern comprehensive school with a new production from the Oldbury players. more...
News
Council officers have said a new £15,000 road safety scheme in Rowley Regis has caused a noticeable reduction in drivers' speeds. more...
If you have ever thought of taking up walking as a way of getting fit, meeting new friends or just simply for a sense of achievement then the Dudley Borough Trail is for you. more...
A spring gardeners fair takes place this Easter weekend at Himley Park. more...
Frustrated Quinton residents are waiting with bated breath for work to close a blighted subway opposite their homes to begin. more...
Former Halesowen scouts can join in the official opening of a revamped £200,000 scout centre on May 10. more...
A Halesowen pensioner who lost his two-week fight for life after being dragged from his burning home had been drinking by his gas fire seconds before his legs caught alight. more...
A Halesowen man has died after a car crash in Romsley on Tuesday. more...
Yemeni students from Halesowen College hot-footed it to the town's fire station for a peek behind the scenes at life in Britain. more...
More than ten million pounds is being pumped into health services in Oldbury, taking services into the 21st century. more...
Keep fit with new Wednesday night yoga classes from April 30 at Earls High School. more...
Blackheath families enjoyed a morning of fun and games when professional puppeteers visited the town's library. more...
Sandwell Council workers are breaking with tradition and going to work on Tuesday, after the Bank Holiday Monday break. more...
A Hayley Green butchers' window was smashed and pensioners terrorised by yobs during a weekend of bad behaviour in Thornhill Road. more...
Cradley Heath-based choir Voices in Harmony enjoyed a busy time this month raising more than £1,100 for the Luke charity. more...
Halesowen needs a town museum to celebrate its rich heritage, a campaigner has claimed. more...
A Leasowes field is poised to get a facelift, courtesy of some Stourbridge College students. more...
Delays are forecast for the long-awaited Cradley Heath by-pass, it was revealed at Rowley town committee. more...
Join the Easter fun at Haden Hill House this Bank Holiday with face painting, music and much more. more...
Annoyed Quinton residents are hoping illegal parking will be stopped after signs were erected warning of prosecution. more...
Work on Leasowes Comm-unity College new mediter-ranean and oriental garden is set to move to the next stage. more...
The race is on for Dudley council seats in Hales-owen with four places up for grabs and two wards wide open. more...
An inquest into the death of a man found hanging in a Hales-owen house was opened and adjourn-ed by Dudley coroner Robin Balmain. more...
Car park charges at Rowley Regis Hospital have been slashed after the introduction of fees caused traffic chaos and misery for patients. more...
Quinton residents have been given a new telephone numbers to report abandoned un-taxed cars after a police liaison meeting raised the issue. more...
Travel and tourism students at Hales-owen College took part in a sky high challenge last week when they transformed a lecture room into an airline cabin. more...
An Oldbury landlord has been fined £600 for failing to protect tenants from unsafe housing. more...
A special ceremony of achievement has been held for more than 200 disabled people in Sandwell celebrating success in education, employment and training. more...
Two young Hales-owen dancers have been astonishing judges across the Midlands with their fleet-footed skills. more...
A Halesowen man was given an 18-month conditional discharge after admitting theft. more...
A Halesowen pensioner has died after being knocked off his bike in Oldbury last month. more...
Quinton is leaping ahead in the adult education stakes it was revealed during Thursday's ward committee meeting. more...
Calls have been made for more cash for police in Sandwell after complaints of anti-social behaviour in another of the borough's towns. more...
Residents are demanding action to ease traffic and parking problems in their road after claims they are forced to run the gauntlet to leave their street. more...
Blackheath primary school looks set to move into the former Britannia High after independent consultants backed the move. more...
A cast of colourful characters will hit Halesowen over the Easter holidays, taking children into a land of make believe and nursery tales. more...
Experience culture in the heart of Cradley Heath when the Royal Shakespeare Company rolls into town. more...
Sandwell councillors have rejected plans for a new takeaway to open in Rowley Regis following complaints from unhappy residents. more...
Cradley residents are celebrating the end of an era as two eyesore sites come crashing to the ground. more...
Sporty youngsters can get active over the Easter holidays with a host of events at leisure centres across the borough. more...
A new shop with flats above could soon replace a former toilet block in Quinton. more...
Blackheath councillor Bob Price has praised new dog fouling laws to be enforced at a park in the town. more...
Pupils at St Michael's High School in Rowley Regis have showcased their talents at an annual rock and pop concert. more...
A cleaner is looking for sponsors for her 145 mile charity run along the Grand Union Canal. more...
A Cradley community group has picked up a £1,000 award for its commitment to personnel development. more...
A Quinton mum and tots group has been saved thanks to two volunteers stepping in to take over. more...
Planning chiefs have given the thumbs up to a new greenkeepers building at Hales-owen Golf Club. more...
Plans for a metro line to serve Quinton could become a reality by 2007, a packed ward committee meeting heard on Thursday. more...
Couch potatoes across the borough are being encouraged to get active in a unique pilot project aimed at improving their health. more...
Youngsters at a Halesowen playgroup are enjoying their new garden, built with more than £4,000 worth of grants. more...
Churches in Blackheath and Rowley Regis are putting on a range of musical events in the run up to Easter. more...
Drivers using Frankley services are set to benefit from a haven of calm and quiet when a new facility opens this month. more...
Talented singers from a Halesowen primary school have been chosen to represent Dudley during a school's concert being held at Birmingham's Symphony Hall, today. more...
Sandwell planners have thrown out plans to demolish a pub and build a KFC in Cradley Heath after numerous complaints from residents. more...
Two talented Oldbury students are taking to the stage of Birm-ingham's Old Rep Theatre in Crazy for You. more...
A Rowley Regis children's home has closed after a prolonged ending. more...
Halesowen shoppers helped raise more than £1,500 for cancer care by donating to the Marie Curie daffodil day. The cash was raised across Dudley in March and will go to nursing for cancer patients. more...
A mother and daughter team have scooped long service awards for treading the boards with Startime Variety. more...
With the hype and publicity surrounding the high visibility patrols of Operation Turbulence Two it was with some trepidation I joined Quinton police for a night patrol. more...
A Halesowen school made Dudley the first borough in the West Midlands to sign up all primary children for the National School Fruit Scheme. more...
Halesowen will take a leap into the past for the 20th successive year this June when the Victorian Street Fair comes to town. more...
Cradley ladies have been preparing for Easter with a bumper Easter bonnet parade to celebrate the season. more...
A Stourbridge building society has teamed up with Mary Stevens Hospice to sponsor the centre's promotional poster. more...
Building work at the Mary Stevens Hospice has begun to extend the centre and the services it offers. more...
Tickets for The Mary Stevens Hospice Grand Easter raffle to raise money for patient care are still available. more...
A new environmentally friendly fundraising scheme is to boost funds for Mary Stevens Hospice. more...
Stourbridge shoppers are being asked to dig deep this Good Friday in support of Mary Stevens Hospice. more...
This week's £1,000 winner is 456750 Mr Roger Eggington, Kingswinford. more...
At the annual general meeting held at Kidderminster Railway Museum club members were old there had been a profit for the year ended November 30 2002 of £15,002 with an increased turnover to £138,261. more...
Although AGM's can be dull the members of this US3 ensured it was not true of the their third, held recently. more...
On Tuesday April 1 Mrs J Weston entertained us with a talk entitled `A Prisoner of the Confederates'. This was the intriguing story of a local man who had taken part in the American civil war. more...
Mrs Y Witts-Hewinson, our chairman, welcomed us to the March meeting which was our annual general meeting, she also welcomed Mrs Butt and Mrs Oakley from the Federation who would be our Returning Officer and Teller. more...
Kingswinford ladies' Social Circle held its monthly meeting on Thursday April 3, at the Royal British Legion. more...
The March meeting of the Stourbridge local group enjoyed an illustrated talk on Living in Arizona and Travels in Mexico, by Ed Shore. more...
The speaker at the meeting on March 6 was Philip Waldren a member much respected by his fellows for his expertise and technical knowledge in all things photographic and for his long service with the society. more...
The club has a propitious start to the season with full sunshine for our regular Wednesday evening and Friday morning games. Last season our team came third in the West Midlands League and we look forward to competitive games this year. more...
February: Vice chairman Mrs P Grimmett due to the sad death of Mrs S Benbow welcomed all members. We had a very interesting informative talk by an ex-policemen on victim support. more...
Setting off from Stourbridge park gates the group crossed over the A449 at Whittington then caied on to Kinver and along the ridge at Romsley, Fenn Green and over the A442 to Alveley. more...
A 23-year-old woman interrupted an iron bar wielding thief as he stole £350 worth of property from her car in Wordsley. more...
Robbers escaped with £45 after threatening a teenager with a hypodermic needle in a Halesowen churchyard on Tuesday night. more...
As Animals in Laboratories protest march approaches I would like to suggest for people who care to find out which charities test on animals, join Peta. (British Heart Foundation, Scope, Marie Curie and Cancer Research UK are just a few who do.) more...
Robin Woods Centre, Beauty Bank, Stourbridge more...
I wish to support Karen Russell's letter April 3 `Show you Care' referring to Greek slaughter houses, and hope sincerely, she achieves more satisfaction than I have ever managed to with my campaigning in the past but has Karen any idea about what happens in the worst country of all - England? more...
Let's call time on this retail madness and that of this idiot council. more...
We should have thanked Hitler for starting the war, we would have killed ourselves on those motorcycles. more...
After seeing that war graves had been defaced with slogans in France, appalled me. If Tony Blair decides to share the rebuilding of Iraq with the businesses in France, Germany, Belgium or any other country that opposed him, then that is a slap in the face for the people of our country and the soldiers that have died. more...
When I had a nasty fall coming from Corbett Hospital yesterday (April 4), an ambulance driver stopped and rendered assistance together with another gentleman. more...
Although we have had the threat of the Robin Hood closing hanging over us for some time, it is still a shock to think that it is finally going. more...
D Edwards puts forward several suggestions as to why hunting should be retained but they bear little understanding to the nature of and reasons for hunting and why it is bitterly opposed. more...
Your anonymous correspondent last week asked `so-called peace protesters' a number of questions. more...
The headline - `Nurse's Tribunal Victory; - Stourbridge News April 3 could not fail to arouse attention! The report presented makes incredible reading. more...
What a great pity after the stairs to the Ryemarket car park had only in the last few months been repainted and tided up to see the graffiti daubed all over the walls again! more...
I have received my council tax demand for £1296.95 for a three bedroom semi, which is £175 higher than last year, a 14.9 per cent rise, four times the rate of inflation. My pension rise is £2.43 per week while the rate increase is £3.50 per week. more...
Recent reports in the media appear to suggest that the Corbett Hospital is about to close. more...
Highways bosses have vowed to try and find a way of easing the chaos caused by roadworks which villagers claim have left Wollaston "like a morgue". more...
A 66-year-old Kingswinford runner battled his way to the finishing line in this year's London Marathon - despite being knocked unconscious during the race. more...
An unlucky Stourbridge mum has issued an urgent plea to internet surfers to help her get her trouble-stricken life back on track. more...
Late night mobile takeaway vans have been banned from outside a Stourbridge nightclub - to make it easier to clear crowds of clubbers. more...
Pioneering developments designed to revolutionise transport in the Dudley borough have been given the go-ahead by councillors. more...
A Brierley Hill soldier serving in Iraq is appealing for News readers to donate footwear to needy Iraqi children. more...
Stourbridge workers and their families brought stormy scenes to Dudley Council House on Monday night amidst fears of 500 job losses. more...
A Kingswinford resident is calling on Dudley Council to enforce a long-term solution to fly tipping near his home. more...
An anti-war campaigner standing as the Socialist Alliance's candidate in Lye and Wollescote has pledged to help build a thriving community "where people of all races and backgrounds get on together." more...
Lye and Wollescote residents can cast two votes in May's elections after disgraced Tory councillor Abdul Qadus was sacked from political office after serving a jail sentence for passport fraud. more...
Kingswinford South Conservative candidate David Blood believes asylum is the main issue. more...
An Amblecote teen-ager and his pals could not believe their luck when they ran into Coldplay singer Chris Martin and were invited to be guests at one of his shows. more...
A Brierley Hill business believes its revolutionary new product will contribute in tackling a respiratory disease which, was first contracted in Hong Kong. more...
Stourbridge police have warned to drivers of a spate of car crime in town car parks. more...
If you have ever thought of taking up walking as a way of getting fit, meeting new friends or just simply for a sense of achievement then the Dudley Borough Trail is for you. more...
Brierley Hill and Dudley police have been hailed as one of the two top performing operational command units in the West Midlands. more...
The heartbroken family of a well-known Wollaston man who lost his battle with leukaemia are to scatter his ashes from on top of the Spanish mountain he loved. more...
A charity soccer match is being held later this month in aid of a former borough footballer who has motor neurone disease. more...
The theme for this year's Stourbridge Carnival will be the community - reflecting the traders' drive to instil pride into the town. more...
Plans are afoot to turn a former underground shop into a base for police officers to help stamp-out crime in a Stourbridge subway. more...
A Pedmore deputy headmaster has left behind his colleagues and pupils for pastures new after 17 years at the school. more...
A retired Amblecote couple have been left heart-broken after their Rottweiler puppy was poisoned to death in an elaborate plot to steal motorbikes. more...
A former Stourbridge stockbroker has been appointed the new chairman of Stourbridge and Brierley Hill Round Table. more...
Young Stourbridge designers can enter a competition to win a top prize of £2,000. more...
Stourbridge's Cyberbus is back on the streets after undergoing a stylish £6,000 revamp. more...
A Pedmore butcher who has been serving customers for nearly 42 years has been forced to retire after being diagnosed with bowel cancer. more...
A Brierley Hill supermarket has slapped a curfew on groups of under 18s entering the store after 6pm in a bid to curb under-age drinking in the area. more...
Thirty women from the Midlands and the north of England are now fighting to have a former Wordsley Hospital doctor struck off after he butchered one of his patients. more...
Clent Parish Council is celebrating after a plan to change the centuries-old village boundary was dropped. more...
Residents of a Wollaston street who put on dazzling Christmas lights show each year to raise cash for the West Midlands Air Ambulance will receive a civic award. more...
Police are appealing for witnesses after an 86-year-old Kingswinford woman was targeted by attempted distraction burglars. more...
Stourbridge police are getting tough on ring road racers by holding regular speed checks. more...
Cradley workers and their families caused stormy scenes at Dudley Council House on Monday night amidst fears that 500 jobs may face the axe. more...
The family of an elderly Blackheath lady who was left battered and bruised after falling in the town at the weekend is threatening to take legal action. more...
A haul of replica weapons has been handed in to Halesowen police station as part of the national firearms amnesty. more...
If, like me, you frown at alternative therapy then do yourself a favour and keep reading. more...
Sport
The management team at Kingswinford based Handrahan Timbers have issued an impassioned plea for sponsors to come forward and save the team from folding. more...
Magnificent Stourbridge marched ever close to a second successive Midland Alliance title by winning a tense battle at rivals Rushall 1-0 on Tuesday night. more...
Two talented members of Stourbridge Lawn tennis and Squash Club are really making their mark. more...
Ten Stourbridge Running Club members competed in this years London Marathon. more...
Dudley Kingswinford will have to wait until after the play offs to see what their fate for next season is. more...
A hat-trick from Luke Reynolds sent Tividale into the Walsall Senior Cup final at Bescot for the second season in succession. more...
Two members of Sandwell Caterline Lions Cycle Speedway Club won the finals of their age groups in the British Grand Prix at Bury on Saturday more...
James Marshall grabbed a ten minute hat-trick as Dudley Town under 11s won the Bilston League Charity Cup Final. more...
Dudley Snooker ace Maria Catalano lost in the final of the Scottish Open Ladies competition. more...
Fishing tackle dealer Mark Thompson ( above) shows the quality of bream that can be caught from the local sections of the Staffs Worcs Canal. more...
Oldbury United boss Bob Green is looking to bring in four players for the start of next season as he plans a serious promotion pus. more...
Ross May and Davion Kelly secured a point for Blackheath FC in a 2-2 draw at Kenilworth. more...
Halesowen Town took a slight lead in the first leg of the Dr Martens Cup Final on Tuesday - but the Grove faithful had good reason to be downbeat at the end. more...
Supportes of a Romsley based football club are celebrating after the installation of their new stand. more...
Cradley Town need a win against Halesowen Harriers at home on Saturday (3pm). more...
There will be a new method of starting the Dudley-Kingswinford 10k road race which takes place on Wednesday May 7 at 7.15pm. more...
Match Results - Week Ending Friday April 11. more...
Dudley and Cradley Sunday League: Results for Sunday April 13: Butter Cup Final: Saltwells Woodman 4-3 Club Dudley 3. Premier Division: Albron 8 Spills Meadow 3, Jays 1 Dudley Ex Servicemen 0, Ruiton 5 Lloyds 2, Jays 2 Ruiton 0. Division One: Image Wheel Kestrels 4 Stourbridge Glassboys 2, Netherton Colts 0 Busheyfields Plume 0, Short Heath 2 Brockmoor House 3, Stour Park Rangers 0 Caves 4. more...
Eight local youngsters have been named in a 17 strong West Midlands under 19s squad for their annual trip to the English Schools inter county Festival of Football at Parkefield next week. more...
Pedmore Cricket Club continues to make massive strides on and off the field as the new season approaches. more...
BODIN TRIPLE: Forest Falcons Juniors- results for Sunday April 12: Under sevens west v Phoenix - drew 2-2 ( Oliver Baker, Casey Mulhall). Under sevens east v Kewford Eagles South - won 7-0 ( Luke Garrington 3, Dominic Potter 2, Joe Smith 2). Under eights east v Gornal Athletic South - won 4-2 ( Matthew Bodin 3, Jack Markey) .Under nines north v Warstones Wanderers - drew 1-1 ( Alex Smith). Under nines west v Gornal Athletic South - won 4-0 ( Kyle Frater, Natty Drew , Phil Batty, Jordan Scott). Under 11s v Bilbrook (Merit Shield, Semi Final) lost 0-1. Under 11s (Stourport League) v Aboriginals - won 7-1 ( Blake Woodhouse 3, Joe Pewton 2, Ricky Hipkiss , Lewis Kirkham). Under 12s v Bilbrook - lost 2-4. Under 13s v Kewford Eagles - won 8-0 (Troy Paskin 4, Mat Oliver 2, Mat Bridgewater 2). Under 14s Girls (Stourport League) v Chorley - won 5-2 ( Lisa Pardoe 2, Sarah Forester, Melissa Cooke, Charlotte Flowers) Under 14's v Brandhall Colts - won 3-2 - ( Matt Taylor , Jamie Siviter , Tom Harper). more...
Fifty seven year old Mac Farlow has taken over the reins as secretary of the Staffordshire County Bowling Association and is well known in the area by fellow bowlers and officials writes Mike Wakelam more...
Stourbridge and District Youth more...
Motorsport more...
Rugby Union more...
News in brief more...
National Three North: more...
Dudley United Girls and ladies Under 14s team (above) followed up their league title success by clinching the double last weekend. more...
Baggeridge overcame another difficult obstacle to register their 25th win out of 25 when they defeated last season's runners up Stourbridge Cons A 3-2. more...
Warley and District Sunday League more...
Riders sparkle in Leamington more...
