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The Black Country | Archive | 2001 | January

Stories for 11 January 2001

Leisure

Babies bow out

Talented Dudley band Pure Gold Babies have announced they are calling it a day and plan to go out on a high with a farewell gig in Brierley Hill. more...

Wilde at heart

The younger sister of 80s pop star Kim Wilde will be performing in Stourbridge this month. more...

Saturday fever

Stourbridge Bee Gees tribute band Bee Gees Fever hope to have fans up and dancing in their hometown this weekend. more...

Duo at Katie's

Duo Chris Hall and Alan Woolley bring their blend of folk, country,cajun and blues music to Katie Fitzger-alds in Enville Street on Monday January 15. more...

Panto magic

Members of Stourbridge Panto-mime Company are getting ready to stage popular fairytale Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs for their annual show this month. more...

Snow White sell-out

Members of a Wollaston theatre school are getting ready to perform their annual pantomime, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. more...

A starring role

Hawbush Theatre Group is seeking boys and girls to take part in its forthcoming production Stairway to the Stars. more...

News

Sing your way to a prize for gymnasts

A kind-hearted Halesowen mum is busy organising a fundraising karaoke night for the troubled Hales-owen gym team. more...

Breakfast briefing

Dudley and Sandwell Chamber of Commerce holds a breakfast briefing for business boffins on Thursday January 18. more...

Villagers told `go green'

Homeowners in Hagley, Clent and Belbroughton, are being urged by Bromsgrove District Council to go green by helping to keep as much of the countryside as possible. more...

Manager is guest

The manager of social services in Halesowen and Stourbridge, Maggie Venables, will be guest speaker at a meeting for pensioners. more...

Shamrocking on

Tickets for an Irish Night in Clent are now on sale. more...

Can you help out?

Enthusiastic folk are being sought to help at the historic Leasowes Park in Halesowen. more...

Chance to relax

Hypnosis and relaxation classes are being held at Buckpool school from this week. more...

Take a leap into a fit new year

If getting fit was one of your New Year's resolutions why not give karate a try. more...

Growing society

Belbroughton Horticultural Society is next meeting on Friday January 19 at 8pm in the church hall. more...

Have say on library plans

Kinver parish councillors have agreed to hold a public meeting to decide the fate of the village library. more...

Hospital finding the art of cheer

Patients at a Rowley Regis hospital are being cheered-up by a new art collection at the site. more...

Calling it a day

We have been asked to point out an article in Stourbridge News' December 21 edition entitled `Tony calls it a day' incorrectly stated Lye Cross Antiques trader Tony Shilham was retiring. more...

Council's war on litterbugs

A new year crackdown on litter has been launched by Sandwell Council, targeting fly tippers and litter louts across the borough. more...

Bag snatch

A woman had credit cards and £100 in cash snatched as she sat in her car making a phone call outside a Pedmore pub. more...

Meeting on health

Halesowen Primary Care Group met to discuss its merger with Dudley South Primary Care Group on Monday January 8. more...

Pastor's plea for war chapel cash

A Wollescote pastor has applied for a share of the area committee's £50,000 capital allocation to replace a chapel which was once a First World War army hut. more...

Cash blitz on truancy

Schools across Sandwell could soon be taking advantage of a £1.58m windfall to combat truancy. more...

Youth club is to get more help

Councillors have agreed to help a Pensnett youth club by providing cash to pay for equipment. more...

Boy robbed of phone

A 13-year-old Halesowen lad had his mobile phone stolen helping a passer-by. more...

Green belt backing

Councillors have agreed to support a plan to prevent builders from destroying green belt land. more...

Art behind the mask

`Please Yourself' - a brand new art display from students at Rowley Regis College is being shown at Haden Hill House. more...

Shoppers thanked for hamper gifts

Halesowen Rotaract Club has thanked customers of Sains-bury's Blackheath who donated goods for Christmas. more...

Deprivation targeted

Five borough areas have been allocated a neighbourhood manager as part of a scheme to tackle the highest levels of deprivation across 23 neighbourhoods. more...

Get advice

Hayley Green Labour councillors Paul Morris and Ruth Forbes are holding an advice surgery this Saturday, January 13. more...

School to get new sixth form centre

Edgecliff school, Kinver, governors have given the go-ahead to plans for a new sixth form centre. more...

Church dream centre nearer

A Blackheath church is closer to achieving its goal to provide the town with a brand new £670,000 church centre. more...

Dance with a camel - how bizarre!

Stourbridge Natural Health Group will hold its new meeting at the town hall on Monday January 15 with Bizarre Camel - a group of dance researchers and teachers. more...

Top team prove they're simply the best

Football fans at a Quinton school are celebrating after their under 12s team was named the best in the district. more...

Meeting for mums

A meeting for parents and toddlers takes place every Tuesday at the Gigmill Methodist Church Hall. more...

Slimmers in paradise

The Paradise Found Slimming group meets every Wednesday at 10am in the Amblecote Room, Stourbridge Town Hall. more...

Stress relief

Relieve the stresses of the new year with a yoga class at the Cornbow Hall, Halesowen. Sessions are Mondays and Wednesdays 10am to 11.30am in the green room. Details on 0121 550 1124. more...

Kids get in line

A new line dancing class catering for children and beginners is being held at Dingle community centre, Kingswinford, from Friday January 19 at 7pm. more...

String-along-a-player

A flourishing Halesowen orchestra is looking for more string players. more...

Council date

A meeting of Belbroughton parish council is being held on Monday January 15 in the meeting room, Belbroughton, at 7.30pm. more...

Thousands of people over the last 20 years have used the RSPCA centre in Cradley Heath, but not many will remember its humble beginnings in a caravan or the hard work of two pensioners who struggled to make their dream a reality. more...

History lesson

Students at Kinver's Edgecliff High school have produced a book chronicling the history of the village. more...

Markets' fear of store wars

Cradley Heath traders are up in arms after plans for a new 60,000 sqft supermarket for Old Hill town centre were revealed. more...

Kids' gifts

Generous youngsters at Kinver's Edgecliff High school raised £232 and 116 shoeboxes full of gifts for children in Eastern Europe. more...

Jack's in town, folks

Shoppers in Halesowen were greeted with a happy sight when Jack and his friends visited the town, before hitting the stage with this year's pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk. more...

Charity in hunt for new shop

Mental health charity Dudley Mind is looking to branch out in 2001 by opening a new shop in the borough selling crafts by Black Country artists. more...

Clubs set to re-start

Sandwell libraries will soon be starting homework clubs for youngsters to boost their studies. more...

Fault sets off alarm

More than 20 staff were evacuated after an electric fault activated a fire alarm, on Wednesday January 3. more...

Groups giving tops £500,000

A big-hearted Pedmore club has donated a computer and printer to Cancer Support and boasts donations of more than half a million pounds to charities since it was established nearly 30 years ago. more...

Hunt is on for Patricia

A helpline which specialises in tracing missing relatives and friends is looking for a Halesowen woman. more...

New post for Tina

South Staffordshire Housing Association has appointed a new leasehold management officer. more...

Look back

A Halesowen author has penned a book chronicling the history of his former school. more...

Statement of independents MAT DANKS speaks to the Stourbridge man who paved the path to stardom for

Although today's music scene is dominated by plastic, manufactured boy and girl bands signed to mega rich labels willing to pump millions into the publicity machine, there was once a time when independent record labels could still spoil the party. more...

Gateway to a new facelift

The 11th century church of St John the Baptist in Hales-owen has undergone an £18,000 revamp. more...

John takes education hot seat as Dick bows out

Dudley Council has appointed an interim director of education on a six-month contract to stand in for the recently retired chief education officer. more...

Pupils hurt in road smash

Two King Edward VI College students are recovering after being injured in a road smash on Stourbridge ring road. more...

The sounds of success

Generous singers from a Cradley Heath choir have raised more than £100 for the Acorns Children's hospice. more...

Crimebuster fights the flab

A Stourbridge policeman is planning on beating the post-Christmas bulge over the Internet. more...

Cars set on fire

Fire-fighters dealt with car fires on Wednesday January 3. more...

Ken - a man for the Midlands

According to a recent survey Coronation Street character Ken Barlow is an unexpected role model for people in the West Midlands. more...

Help pouring in for Abbey

The family of Abbey Sprason have been inundated with offers of fundraising events and donations. more...

Harry's Helsinki marathon run for James

An Oldswinford man who was severely paralysed during a rugby match has been given £2,500 by a Stourbridge rugby player who raised the cash by entering a marathon in Helsinki. more...

Leaf it out! And join in

Greet the new year by turning over a new leaf with a flower arranging class in Quinton. more...

Promise of fairer system

Stourbridge Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate Stephen Eyre has welcomed the Shadow Cabinet's radical proposals to reform Legal Aid. more...

M-way diversions

The Highways Agency has started a three-week programme of motorway bridge repairs in Oldbury. more...

Go-ahead sought

Plans to build three houses and a bungalow on land in Stourbridge have been sent in to Dudley council. more...

Raider had gun

A robber brandishing a handgun demanded £280 from a terrified cashier at a Quinton petrol station. more...

Green lessons for a Minister

Thirty Sandwell youngsters are set to travel to London to meet government leaders to give them a lesson in eco-friendly living. more...

Naked man in car park

A naked man was spotted by a woman as she was driving out of a Stourbridge car park. more...

Calling all Picassos

Calling all budding artists - go along to the Earls High School and join the art class, held for adults only. more...

Royal curtain call for pupils

Pupils at Thorns Community College will be turning thespians for the day when they receive a visit from the Royal National Theatre touring company. more...

Fundraiser hits out at @meanies@

Organisers of a promise auction to raise funds for needy Belarus youngsters are "bitterly disappointed" at the lack of response to requests for celebrity memorabilia. more...

Pupils sing out

Children from Hagley and Stourbridge will be singing at a concert at a Hagley school on Wednesday. more...

Pub set to change hands

An Oldbury pub has been temporarily closed while the owners find a buyer. more...

Discover past lives

A workshop is being held in Stourbridge's Bonded Warehouse to help people who want to find out about their past lives. more...

Valuable event

A Stourbridge auctioneer is holding a charity valuation day in aid of the RSPCA. more...

Banish blues

Banish winter blues by joining Halesowen Choral Society and sing your cares away. more...

Asda be good

A Brierley Hill store has made its New Year's resolution to stand up for kids and help make 2001 a good year through campaigning, practical involvement and fundraising for borough youngsters. more...

Planning to be green

Romsley and Hunnington residents can help protect Bromsgrove's green belt by following guidelines for extensions. more...

Run for funds

The Stroke Association is appealing to borough runners who are taking part in the April 2001 Flora London Marathon to run in aid of the charity. more...

Good job

Halesowen youngsters will have their interview techniques put to the test by the town's rotary club. more...

Planning changes

Plans to erect a 15 metre mobile phone mast at Moss Grove in Kingswinford have been sent to Dudley Council. more...

Threat over doctor lifted

A popular Halesowen surgery threatened with closure has been saved after a GP was found to take over. more...

People power

Stourbridge's King Edward VI sixth form college has gained the Investors in People award. more...

Fury over flats locks failures

A Wollaston woman is fuming after new doors fitted in flats on a troubled estate were vandalised because they cannot be locked - two months after being installed. more...

MP praises Challenge

An innovative computer programme co-designed by a Sedgley teacher has been put through its paces Labour MEP Simon Murphy. more...

Weekend for twitchers

Bird lovers can join in the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds' biggest ever survey. more...

Healthy eating in store for kids

Brierley Hill youngsters can follow a trail and learn all about healthy eating as part of a supermarket's initiative. more...

Top marks

Chawn Hill pre-school is celebrating after receiving an excellent Ofsted report, which showed no significant weaknesses. more...

Walkies!

Dog training classes are held every Thursday at Wollescote community centre, Wassell Road, from 7.30pm. more...

Donors needed

Blood donors are needed at Thorns College, Quarry Bank, from 9.45am to 12.15pm, and 1.45pm to 3pm on Saturday January 20. more...

Advice time

Amblecote councillors Judy Foster and Steven Cox hold their surgery at the Old Scout Hall, School Drive on Friday January 12 between 10.30am and 12pm. more...

Full steam ahead

Stourbridge Railway Society meets on Wednesday January 17 at 7.30pm in the Bonded Warehouse, Canal Street when a video of steam engines will be shown. more...

Curtain up

Wordsley Amateur Dramatic Society stages its latest play, Letter from the General, from Wednesday January 24 to Saturday January 27, at the Methodist Church Hall, Stream Road. more...

Get competitive

Stourbridge firms can get advice on improving competitiveness and efficiency from some of Europe's top organisations. more...

Broome WI

This year 2000 was special to Broome WI for as well as being the Millennium it was our 60th anniversary. more...

Oldswinford E TG

The Christmas party, held at St Mary's Church Hall on December 19 was chaired by the chairman Mrs E Pickersgill. more...

Pedmore WI

The new president Mrs V Waugh welcomed members to the Christmas party, after signing the minutes she gave details of the committee reshuffle. more...

Wildlife Trust

The speaker for the November meeting of the Stourbridge local members group of Worcestershire Wildlife Trust was David Burton-Pye whose illustrated talk was entitled `The Lake District'. more...

Norton History Group

The December meeting of the group took the form of an entertainment provided by Time's Delights and entitled `Celebrating the Season'. more...

Ladies Society

The Christmas meeting was opened by the chairman Mrs C Wooldridge welcoming all the members. Mrs E Dean entertained the members with seasonal and humorous readings. more...

Stourbridge TG

The Christmas meeting of the Stourbridge TG was held in the Crown Centre on Wednesday December 13. more...

CTC (Western Section)

The destination of today's cycle ride was to the Worcester Woods Country Park. more...

Who let the dogs in...?

The long-running saga over a landmark Gornal farm has finally reached a conclusion - with the farm to be given a new leash of life as a dog kennel. more...

.... and it's bye-bye Mushroom Green moggies!

Planners are set to approve a scheme which would see a cattery and stable in Mushroom Green turned into houses. more...

Windfall set to help kids

Councillors have agreed to help a Pensnett youth club by providing more than £6,000 to pay for equipment. more...

£2m handout for education

Dudley is getting more than £2m in the next year to boost technology in schools after research showed a direct link between good computer facilities and standards. more...

Let's hear it for the girls

Six girls have done themselves proud by entering a schools football tournament just weeks after forming a side. more...

Paul's the Mann for women's faith talk

A women's religious group has invited a top showbiz couple to talk about their Christian faith at Dudley College. more...

Shop's back in business

An 18th century Georgian building in Dudley town centre has become the first to be restored to its former glory with the help of a council heritage scheme. more...

Storage plan set for the OK

Councillors have been recommended to approve plans to install a nitrogen storage vessel at a heat treatment firm in Dudley. more...

Toy sale reaps hospice cash

A sale of Christmas toys at Tesco in Dudley, just before Christmas, raised £1,582 for Mary Stevens Hospice. more...

Metro plan unveiled

Plans for the Midland Metro will be unveiled by Centro in Dudley town centre on Friday and Saturday. more...

Work goes on at damaged church

Although worshippers have pulled out all the stops to clean up a Kates Hill Church ravaged by fire there is still work to be done. more...

Journey to centre of the earth

Crawling around the murky depths of an icy cold cave, with several feet of solid rock separating you from the sunshine and fresh air of the world above, might not seem like much of a fun way to spend the day. more...

Bright sparks urged to join the race for a grand

A Dudley MP is urging manufacturers to spread news of their success by entering a competition for innovative ideas. more...

Do your Groundwork and get in the club

Black Country firms are being urged to reap the benefits of a new business club. more...

No let-up for worshippers

Over £40,000 worth of work at an internationally famous Priory church is set to be completed in the next few weeks - but worshippers are already toiling to raise another £60,000 for their next project. more...

Chance to brush up on your skills

Dudley youngsters have the chance to learn football skills through new coaching sessions. more...

College is helping out

Dudley College is continuing to strengthen its partnership with Rover by training employees on new equipment for state-of-the-art cars. more...

Learn new skills

Parents can go back to school and learn new skills at Kates Hill Primary. more...

Mobile cafe's had its chips

Planning councillors will decide on Monday whether to let a popular Netherton mobile café stay put. more...

Ward move for station

Dudley Hospital Radio has celebrated its 25th anniversary - and has plans to expand. more...

Diamond days

A Dudley couple had a double reason for rejoicing as they celebrated their diamond wedding. more...

MP backs move to extend tests

Dudley South MP Ian Pearson is backing a House of Commons motion calling for improved testing of babies for deafness. more...

MP fights mum's corner

Stourbridge MP Debra Shipley has represented one of her constituents who wants to register her late husband's name on her son's birth certificate. more...

Get on course at new classes

Get the New Year off to a flying start and delve into Dudley College's brand new range of courses. more...

Tesco officials duck out

Tesco officials will not be attending a meeting being held tonight at the town hall to discuss plans to bring the supermarket giant to Stourbridge. more...

Estate scheme nearing target

Money is continuing to be raised for a football and basketball pitch on a Dudley estate. more...

Council tops tax league table

Dudley Council is top of a national performance league table for collecting council tax in 1999/2000. more...

Group's warning for elderly

Dudley Age Concern is continuing to warn elderly people to take care in the current weather conditions. more...

Have your say on crime

A Wombourne policing unit consultative meeting is being held tonight (Thursday) at Kinver parish council offices, High Street, at 7pm. more...

Tree scheme work starts

Work is set to start in the next few days on woodland management at 12 sites across the borough as part of the Black Country Millennium Forest programme. more...

MP Ian backs chemist fight

A Dudley MP is backing residents in their campaign to stop a pharmacy closing at the end of the month. more...

Half-hour delay for Welsh choir

An evening of music from a Welsh male voice choir at Dudley Town Hall has been put back by 30 minutes. more...

Love blooms on the buses

For Sedgley sweethearts Fred and Margaret Hyde the wheels of love were well and truly in motion when they met on a bus. more...

Gardeners earn their corn

Dudley Wood Gardening Club holds its first meeting of the new year on Monday January 15. Members will be learning the craft of corn dolly making at Dudley Wood Methodist Church from 7.30pm-9.30pm. more...

Guiding spirit still living on

First Netherton Guides has celebrated its 75th anniversary but while the movement may be finding its niche in the new Millennium the essence of guiding endures. more...

Derelict building facing the axe

An old nursery building at more...

Let's dance

Dance classes start at Rosewood School, Overfield Road, Russells Hall, on Tuesday January 23. more...

Top award for fundraiser Pat

A 60-year-old Dudley woman has been given a prestigious award for her services to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. more...

MP praises Challenge

An innovative computer programme co-designed by a Sedgley teacher has been put through its paces Labour MEP Simon Murphy. more...

Derelict nursery set to be levelled

A nursery building at Cotwall End Primary, Cotwall End Road, is to be demolished as part of Dudley Council's capital monitoring programme for 2001. more...

Group flying the borough flag

Black Country Tourism, the body charged with promoting Dudley borough to the rest of the world, will be among the first organisations to exhibit at the new ExCeL centre. more...

Diamond duo

A Dudley couple celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary on Christmas Day. more...

Church cash still rolling in

Worshippers at a Dudley Wood church have raised £4,000 towards the makeover of their Sunday school but the cash needs to keep rolling in. more...

Docs plan move

Dudley Council has received an application to level a Sedgley doctor's surgery and replace it with a new state-of-the-art practice. more...

Scheme brewing

Volunteers at Dudley Age Concern are gearing up for the grand opening of a new café. more...

MP backs school cash

Dudley South MP Ian Pearson has welcomed the news his old school may get a £1.5m facelift. more...

Town Tekken on the world

Joypad batterers from across the globe will converge on Dudley on January 28 and 29 for the international Tekken championships. more...

Free coins in the fountain

Bosses at Dudley furniture giants Cousins have handed over a £600 donation to the County Air Ambulance after totting up cash donated by big-hearted customers. more...

Council blasted over calming measures

Fuming Russells Hall residents at last night's meeting of the Central Dudley Area Committee attacked councillors for putting in place new traffic measures despite opposition. more...

Armed raiders swipe clothes

Thieves made off with £9,000-worth of clothing after they slashed a Portuguese delivery lorry near a Dudley factory. more...

Dudley ride their luck to steal the points

Dudley rode their luck to pinch a fortunate 1-0 win at Heath Hayes. more...

Hop along to show

Toad of Toadhall is being performed by Secga Theatre Company at the Dormston Centre, Sedgley, from tomorrow (Friday). more...

Cash to fight killers

Dudley will benefit from a £107m government cash injection to help fight stomach cancer and heart disease. more...

Mast plan to be decided

Controversial plans to install a 50 feet telecommunications tower off the Milking Bank estate will be decided by councillors tonight (Thursday). more...

Top two to address panel

Dudley Crime Prevention Panel meets on Thursday January 11. more...

Council tops tax league table

Dudley Council is top of a national performance league table for collecting council tax in 1999/2000. more...

Farm staff are talking turkey

A Sedgley farm has welcomed a new feathered arrival in the shape of Dandy the Second. more...

Phone mast plan rejected

Councillors have rejected an application to install a telecommunications mast on land off Himley Road at the Central Dudley Area Committee last night. more...

MOST's hat-trick

MOST Training has won the Investors in People award for the third time running. more...

Friends group in plea for action

Members of the Dudley Caribbean Friends Association will meet with councillors in the future to discuss plans for new premises. more...

Strike talks to go face-to-face

Individual negotiations with the striking hospital staff are due to start later this week as the proposed transfer of their jobs from the NHS to Summit Healthcare continues. more...

Get together

A reunion for former W T Newnham and Son Ltd workers is being held at the Mitre Inn, Lower High Street on Wednesday January 17, starting at 8pm. more...

Bursary bid for Dorothy

A Kinver group is one step closer to commemorating the life of a famous sporting star who lived in the village. more...

Top glass chance!

Broadfield House Glass Museum has named the two new students who will be involved in this year's scholarship scheme. more...

Bizarre event to launch new year

Stourbridge Natural Health Group will hold its first meeting of the New Year on Monday January 15 at the Amblecote Room in the town hall. more...

Perfect pairs

The results for Stourbridge bridge club for the week ending December 22 were: more...

Make a pledge

Breakthrough Breast Cancer is appealing for people across the borough to make a New Year's resolution and raise £1,000 for the research charity. more...

Key in for new skills

Computer buffs wanting to gain further knowledge and understanding can join classes at Buckpool School. more...

Prize guys

A Lye company has won first and second prize in a national magazine's competition. more...

Full house

The Stourbridge office of Mansell is handling a new £4m contract for housing in Worcester. more...

Take a lead

Hawbush dog training club is holding obedience classes at Hawbush Community Centre, Brettell Lane, every Tuesday evening throughout January. more...

School close to hi-tech target

A Hagley school has almost hit the cash target it needs to gain technology college status. more...

Village crows for it

Organisers of Belbroughton's famous scarecrow weekend are hoping villagers will produce a record-breaking amount of scarecrows for this year's event. more...

Police meeting in village

A Wombourne policing unit consultative meeting is being held tonight (Thursday) at Kinver Parish Council offices, High Street, at 7pm. more...

Bounce your way to health

Bounce Ball aerobics classes are being held in Wollaston every Wednesday. more...

MP Ian backs chemist fight

A Dudley MP is backing residents in their campaign to stop a pharmacy closing at the end of the month. more...

Firms' boost for Op Santa

Local businesspeople gave Operation Santa a final boost with a £675 gift. more...

Welcome for health service review

The prospective Tory parliamentary candidate for Stourbridge has welcomed a Party pledge to review health services across Worcestershire. more...

Council moves to buy blighted homes

Residents of a Stourbridge block of flats, which would be blighted under ring road proposals, have breathed a sigh of relief after the council has agreed to buy their homes. more...

Taxman steps in to help Robert appeal

Fundraisers could bring in thousands more pounds for Norton teenager Robert Parsons by filling in this form. more...

Mass meeting over landfill

Nearly 100 people flocked to a meeting held to discuss proposals to store special waste at a Stourton landfill site. more...

Update on road plans

A meeting to give residents the latest on the A491 situation is being held on Monday January 15. more...

Bloomin' great

Hagley shop, Village Flowers has been named as the best- dressed window in an annual competition. more...

Board talk

The Council for Voluntary Services has supplied Kinver Parish Council with a notice board to support voluntary groups. more...

What do you think?

Questionnaires are being sent to all garage renters from South Staffordshire housing association asking their views on a wide range of issues. more...

Water for pupils

Youngsters at a Brierley Hill primary school are being urged to drink water throughout the day to help their concentration. more...

One way victory

A one-way traffic scheme is set to be introduced on a Wollescote road. more...

Get in line

Enthusiastic line dancers will revel in new classes being run on Monday nights at Thorns Community College. more...

Jillian Cook - Philip Hackett

A honeymoon in Majorca followed the wedding of Jillian Christine Cook, daughter of John and Margaret of Pedmore, and Philip Hackett, son of Arthur and Joyce of Birmingham. more...

John Wilkes - Dianne Gould

John Wilkes, of Wordsley, and Dianne Gould, of Kingswinford, tied the knot in the glitzy City of Las Vegas. more...

Kevin Webb - Andrea Peach

A honeymoon in Egypt followed the wedding of Andrea Peach, daughter of John and Edna of Stourbridge and Kevin Webb, son of Bryan and Eunice of Taunton. more...

Causeway's promotion push over after seven-goal thriller

Causeway United director Kevin Boote has ruled his team out of the Banks's Premier promotion race after they lost a 4-3 thriller to second-placed Warley Rangers. more...

Town Tekken on the world

Joypad batterers from across the globe will converge on Dudley on January 28 and 29 for the international Tekken championships. more...

Driver rescued from upside down car

A 25-year-old woman was left hanging upside down when her car rolled on to its roof after a collision in Quinton this morning. more...

Store celebrates 140 years

A Stourbridge men's clothes shop celebrated 140 years of being in business by giving away a television and a bottle of champagne. more...

Library closes - but mobile unit moves in

Book lovers in Cradley Heath will today be able to catch up on their reading despite the town's library being closed for urgent repairs. more...

Legal eagles' award swoop

Dudley Council's legal and property services department has achieved Investors in People status thanks to support from Business Link Dudley. more...

Children's home plan discussed

Plans to build two controversial children's homes will be discussed tonight when Sandwell planning chiefs meet at the Council House, Freeth Street, at 5pm. more...

Metro plan unveiled

Plans for the Midland Metro will be unveiled by Centro in Dudley town centre on Friday and Saturday. more...

Bishop is Africa bound

The Bishop of Dudley will be making his first pilgrimage overseas as representative of the diocese when he takes part in the consecration of a former priest of the area. more...

Ward move for station

Dudley Hospital Radio has celebrated its 25th anniversary - and has plans to expand. more...

Networking talk at business club

Dudley and District Business Club is holding its AGM on Tuesday January 16 at 7pm at The Lodge, Dudley. more...

A cuddle for Maggie

Eastenders star Craig Fairbrass gave Dudley slimming teacher Maggie Lloyd the surprise of her life when he hosted the Slimming World's annual awards ceremony. more...

Greener Black Country

Work is set to start in the next few days on woodland management at 12 sites across the borough as part of the Black Country Millennium Forest programme. more...

Welcome Steve

Stourbridge solicitors Higgs and Sons is set to strengthen its already successful personal and injury department with a new appointment. more...

Snappers in hunt for mystery girl

Dudley Camera Club is appealing for help from News readers to track down the subject of an award winning photo. more...

Jim boosts company

Stourbridge tycoon Jim Driscoll has boosted a flagging company to a value of £6 million after seeing it on a television programme. more...

£15,000 pottery raid

Pottery and enamels worth £15,000 were stolen from a Stourton garden centre last week. more...

Double celebration

A Brierley Hill company has received two awards, thanks to the Dudley Enterprise Link. more...

Book puts town history in the spotlight

A history book featuring old photographs of Dudley, Stourbridge and Brierley Hill has been published in paperback. more...

Three-car smash

Three pensioners, one in her 90s and another in her 80s, escaped unscathed from a three-car pile up in Stourbridge. more...

Chip in for trial scheme

A trial run of an environmentally-friendly scheme to recycle bits of unwanted wood has been launched at Stourbridge tip for January. more...

Buster goes for gold

A Pedmore dog has been nominated for an award in the dog world's answer to the Hollywood Oscars. more...

Factory talks

Plans to build a factory in Lye look set to be approved by councillors. more...

CD-ROM gift to school

A Wall Heath primary school is one of 25 schools across the region to receive a present from electricity suppliers npower. more...

Talks to begin despite strikes

Individual negotiations with the striking hospital staff are due to start later this week as the proposed transfer of their jobs from the NHS to Summit Healthcare continues. more...

Numbers up for Stefon

Stourbridge Amateur Musical Society's Stefon Farwell will don his pantomime dame costume to call out the bingo numbers at Stourbridge's War Memorial Club on Sunday at 8pm. more...

More bobbies on estate beat

Extra police officers are being drafted on to a Wollescote estate to tackle rowdy youngsters. more...

Couple enjoy golden days

A Norton couple who made a special wreath and floral display for Buckingham Palace celebrated their golden wedding anniversary with a family meal. more...

Man fined for benefit fraud

A Quarry Bank man was prosecuted by Dudley Council and ordered to pay £200 after he committed benefit fraud. more...

New home for specialists

A specialist grocer has joined Kingswinford's Pensnett Trading Estate. more...

New directors join firm

Lye-based engineering firm Metform has appointed two new directors. more...

New year - new team

An established land consultancy firm has undergone a major restructure of its head office based in Stourbridge. more...

Dance date

Brian and Carolle Sable are hosting a social evening for ballroom, Latin and sequence dancers on Saturday January 13 in Kinver community centre. more...

Job help

Kinver Employment Advice centre is open every Tuesday from 10am to 12pm. more...

Thanks again, folks

It's that time again folks. more...

Piece of nonsense

The recent attack in the American press describing the Black Country as the worst place on Earth deserves comment. more...

Bridge club

Kinver Bridges Club meets every Thursday at the Methodist church hall, Potters Cross, from 7.15pm. more...

Stand and be counted

As a 70 years of age old age pensioner, I am asking all those old age pensioners out there, to stand and vote against this Labour government. Why, you may ask, well, if they take you into Europe we will lose the pound, our army is already in other countries where they should not be, our heritage plus the Royal family is at stake, plus the fact, you will lose your identity as an English citizen, because whether you like it or not, 20 years from now, we will be the minority, because there has been no control on people coming here from other countries. more...

Fellowship

Kinver Methodist Fellowship next meets at Potters Cross church hall at 3pm on Wednesday January 17. more...

Lost specs

I very much hope that one of your readers can help me. more...

New family advice thanks to funding

Government money has enabled a family advice organisation to recruit a new worker who will focus on areas within Brierley Hill. more...

Get in line

A line dancing class takes place every Monday at Thorns Community College, Quarry Bank, between 7pm and 9pm. more...

Hospital dispute

I am tired of hearing Labour politicians in Dudley protest that they are `working behind the scenes' for striking staff at Dudley Hospitals. more...

Lucky winners

The winners of our competition for £30 meal vouchers to spend at the Foley Arms, Pedmore, were: more...

Explanation please

Perhaps the Leader of the Labour group on Dudley Council can explain to council tax payers, how a 200 per cent plus rise in his personal allowances will give the council a much more modern, caring and professional image, because we have been told recently that is how Dudley MBC should be seen. more...

Arts heritage remembered

With just remnants of memorabilia remaining from the once celebrated Wordsley School of Art, demolished last month, the village's famous glassmakers who trained and taught at the school are swiftly being forgotten, writes Bev Holder. more...

£1m boost for winter care

A cash injection of more than £1m has been made to help Dudley health and social services meet increased demand during the winter months. more...

Bowl along with Ron

Budding Bothams at an Oldswinford school can practice their bowling and batting each Saturday thanks to government funding. more...

Steering ahead

A steering group has been set up in Brierley Hill aimed at establishing an organisation to represent leaseholders. more...

Helen scales fund heights

A Pedmore mother braved the heights to climb Mount Snowdon and raised money for her children's school. more...

Firms told to show off

Stourbridge MP Debra Shipley is calling on town businesses to enter an achievement competition. more...

Claim against firm after death

A claim has been made against an insulation firm after the coroner returned a verdict of death from industrial disease on a former employee. more...

Pensioner blasts allowance change

A Pedmore pensioner has slammed the abolition of the married couple's allowance for pensioners, claiming the new rule is discriminatory. more...

Breathe group

Dudley and District Breathe Easy group is holding its next meeting on Wednesday January 17. more...

Map success

The Black Country Society is celebrating the success of yet another publication, a comprehensive guide to antique maps of the borough. more...

Meet the police

West Midlands Police hold a J2 Local Consultative Committee meeting on Monday January 15 at 7.30pm at Ghausia Jamia Mosque Welfare Association, Day Centre, High Street, Lye. more...

Join the club

Hagley Rotaract Club is inviting those looking for fresh things to do in the New Year to join up. more...

Play praise

A Stourton pre-school playgroup has been highly praised in an OFSTED inspection. more...

Get in line

Line dancing classes for beginners and improvers are being held at Buckpool school on Thursday evenings from 7.15pm to 8.15pm. more...

That's grand! Over a hundred grand to be exact!

Fundraising efforts for plucky Norton teen Robert Parsons have smashed the £100,000 barrier thanks to his dad's big-hearted workmates. more...

Snow White sell-out

Members of a Wollaston theatre school are getting ready to perform their annual pantomime, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. more...

Mixed drink-drive message

Festive drink-drivers across the West Mercia police force, which includes Hagley, Clent and Belbroughton, more than doubled this year. more...

Jobs loss deadline

The deadline to find volunteers to leave troubled glassmaking firm Stuart Crystal falls next week. more...

Officials duck out

Tesco officials are not turning up to a meeting to discuss plans to build a giant supermarket in the town. more...

Detect a hoax - and stare it out!

Hoax Spotter - Guidelines on how to spot hoax e-mails have been issued by experts. more...

Career success

Two men have landed new careers thanks to Lower Gornal-based IT training firm Computeach. more...

Help for businesses

West Midlands business can benefit from free listings in the business directories of a new Dudley-based company, ukhere.net. more...

The new Inn thing

If you enjoy a pint and want to learn more about the art and history of brewing a new site may be just the ticket for you. more...

It's monkey business!

A Stourbridge girl who suffers from a weak bone condition is set to have her dream come true of holding a baby monkey after winning a hospital radio competition. more...

Trees may face axe in fear alley crimefight

A Stourbridge alleyway, which attracts muggers and drug users, could be made safer if proposals to chop down trees concealing the side street go ahead. more...

Website to help you win the battle of the bulge

Those looking to shed the pounds for the New Year can try a free trial on a website dedicated to providing diet advice. more...

Tourist boost for Black Country

Black Country Tourism is one of the first organisations to exhibit at the new state ExCel exhibition in London's Docklands, on January 18. more...

New priest

A Quarry Bank church will welcome new priest in charge, Caroline Windley at a service to be held on Thursday January 11. more...

Art contest

Artists can win up to £1,000 in a new water colour competition, which closes on March 31. For details call Jeremy Henson on 01733 890099. more...

This week's lucky Mary Stevens Hospice £1,000 winner is 848806, Mrs J Whitehouse, Dudley.

£100: 544434, ticket sale; 839562, P Witherford, Pedmore; 658984, P Barrett, Stourton; 412104, K Mullett, Pedmore; 699745, D Fletcher, Stourton; more...

Toy sale reaps hospice cash

A sale of Christmas toys at Tesco in Dudley, just before Christmas, raised £1,582 for Mary Stevens Hospice in Oldswinford. more...

Bumper raffle total

A raffle organised by Mary Stevens Hospice's volunteers and staff in the Stourbridge shop raised £600. more...

Lights raised £13,650

The light up a life appeal, sponsored by Brierley Hill and Dudley Rotary Clubs, raised £13,650 with 2,098 lights sponsored in memory of a loved one or as a gift. more...

Join the cube club

Mary Stevens Hospice has launched a home collection cube appeal sponsored by Hasbury and Cradley Rotary Club. more...

Walter's hospice help

A Christmas raffle held by Walter Smith Butchers, in the Crown Centre, Stourbridge raised £230 for Mary Stevens Hospice, in Oldswinford. more...

Beauty demonstration

A beauty demonstration by Virgin Vie will be held at Mary Stevens Hospice, Hagley Road, Oldswinford, on Wednesday January 24. more...

Cancer support

Cancer Support's Kingswinford bran-ch is holding a coffee morning on Monday January 15 at 7.30pm in Kings-winford Community Centre, High Street. more...

Cases in court

Two Stourbridge men were each given 200 hours community service and ordered to pay £250 compensation after being convicted of assault causing actual bodily harm. more...

First meeting

Dudley Dyslexia Association is holding its first meeting of the new year on Monday January 15 at the customer services suite in Merry Hill. more...

Speak out

Borough stammerers are invited to an open day held by an ex-sufferer who has tau-ght himself to speak. more...

Winners

The winners of our competition for tickets to see the Halle Orchestra at Dudley Town Hall were: Carl Higgs, Amblecote; B Green, Rowley Regis, and Mr S D Hyde, Pensnett. more...

Cyber plan to beat crime

A Stourbridge police inspector is trying to set up a mobile cyber cafe to help underprivileged youngsters in the town. more...

World- wide orders pour in

A Stourbridge steelworks has secured orders worth over £1m. more...

Village plans to spend £30,000 to keep calm

Hagley parish council is putting its head together with residents to decide how to spend a £30,000 allocation for traffic calming in the village. more...

Masked men snatch £9,000 sports gear

A group of men stole £9,000-worth of sportswear from a parked lorry while the driver was sat in his cab in Merry Hill. more...

Home flooded

Stourbridge fire crew attended an Amblecote house where its two cellars flooded for the second time in a few days. more...

School's prayers

St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Lea Vale Road, Norton, hosts its annual Unity service in the school hall on Friday January 19. more...

Special hotline for school governors

Borough governors will benefit from a new advice line launched by the government this week. more...

Country boost

The Country Land and Business Association is boosting its team in the area in response to the changing face of the countryside. more...

Work starts on run-down farm

Work to transform crumbling Yew Tree Farm into a family home is due to start in the next few weeks. more...

Authors' blast council

The authors of a new book celebrating the history of Stourbridge have taken a swipe at Dudley Council for `degrading' the town. more...

Stress out

Stressed out residents can take advantage of an aromatherapy and massage course beginning at Buckpool School. more...

Life stories

A group of reformed criminals and drug addicts are visiting a Kingswinford church to tell their stories. more...

£1.5m re-fit for school

Dudley South MP Ian Pearson has welcomed the news his old school is to get a £1.5m facelift. more...

Journey to centre of the earth

Adam, six, is racing to the top

A Gigmill Primary School pupil is celebrating after his first season of successful competition bike racing at the age of six. more...

Crime-fight message in schools

Borough police are to deliver an anti-crime message to schoolchildren. more...

On song

Brier School, Cottage Street, pupils raised £160 by singing festive songs in Asda's Pearson Street supermarket. more...

Civic meeting

Kinver Civic Society is next meeting on Monday January 15 at the Edward Marsh community centre at 7.30pm. more...

Cash bonanza at college

Halesowen College has unveiled plans to sell off the controversial Walton site for housing to fund a £3.85m redevelopment of its main campus. more...

Police closing in

Beat bobbies are aiming to crack down on crime by joining forces with the community after a new Wordsley police office was launched. more...

Tesco plan halted

Controversial plans to turn a disused Quinton bus garage into a supermarket have been quashed in the High Court. more...

Mary has her cake

An Amblecote woman who won a Christmas cake in a guess the weight competition had to wait until she came back from her holiday before tucking into the festive treat. more...

Sport, arts set for £1.75m lift

Sports and the arts in Sandwell schools may get a major boost if a bid for a share of £130m government and lottery cash is given the go-ahead. more...

Third age

A meeting is being held for Kingswinford residents who are interested in joining the University for the Third Age. more...

Looking for sponsorship

A Halesowen choral society is looking for sponsors to support a `Young Musicians Platform' concert. more...

MP backs call for better deafness tests for babies

Dudley South MP Ian Pearson is backing a House of Commons motion calling for improved testing of babies for deafness. more...

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