A look back at what was happening around here in April 2009.
Finstall cycling star Jess Varnish was on the cover of our April 2009 issue, while inside she told The Village about her dreams of competing at the Olympics.
IN THE NEWS:
There were concerns that a new waste incinerator could be built “on our doorstep” in north Redditch.
Elsewhere, Alvechurch Village Hall was preparing to celebrate its 80th birthday, and Rowney Green Peace Hall had received lottery cash for more facilities.
Village runners were in training for the London Marathon. Nina Hobson and Kerry Grady of Barnt Green (above left) were running for The Prostate Cancer Charity and Whizz Kids, while Barnt Green butcher Steve Read and Gemma Hares of Alvechurch (above right) were raising funds for the Foundation for Study of Infant Deaths.
Lickey End youngster Lucy Dearn and her Boston terrier, Roxxi, had been successful at Crufts, winning a reserve challenge certificate for reserve best bitch in their category. Lucy, aged 12, had been showing Roxxi for 10 months and had won an array of awards.