Evening Mail back issues from Tuesday, June 27:
FamilyLife: I'll fight sickness feelings Sue's Diary Breast cancer patient Sue Jordan writes exclusively her diary for the Birmingham Mail after a battle to get life-saving drug Herceptin. The mother-of-two has this week started her first course of treatment after North Birmingham Primary Care Trust made a U-turn and agreed to pay pounds 28,000 for a year's course.
Jun 27, 2006; ... AFTER all the fighting and exhausting battles to get Herceptin,this was the week I finally got the first dose. Despite everything, I couldn't help feeling nervous yet excited atwhat was ahead on the days leading up to my appointment on Wednesday. When I got there, I had to sit ...
I married a paedophile EXCLUSIVE I met him aged 14 - and was a mum in a wedding dress at 16
Jun 27, 2006; ... CHILD bride Letitia Bennett today opened her heart to theBirmingham Mail to reveal how she was groomed at the hands of apaedophile. The teenager - who is currently awaiting a divorce from her 42-year-old abuser Stuart Glenn Johnson - found the courage to speakabout her four-year ...
Inside today
Jun 27, 2006 ... BAVARIA is coming to Brum - in a huge boozy corporate shindiglater this year PAGE 7 VILLAGERS were celebrating today after winning their bypass battlePAGE 10 THE family of a graduate killed by her ex-fianc have set up awebsite in her honour PAGE 15 STOLEN computers ...
Mum's call in crime battle CAMPAIGN: Mother of gun victim hopes to meet Home Secretary
Jun 27, 2006; ... THE mum of tragic Birmingham shooting victim Charlene Ellis isseeking an urgent meeting with Home Secretary John Reid to put herviews to him on how to crack down on violent crime. Beverley Thomas wants to share ideas on how to stop teenage livesbeing lost from gun, gang and knife ...
Awards tribute to girls
Jun 27, 2006 ... AN exciting new awards scheme helping struggling students achievesuccess in memory of Charlene and Letisha has been launched with thebacking of their ...
Bride's pounds 1,000 for sham marriage
Jun 27, 2006; ... A MARRIED woman who was paid pounds 1,000 to undergo a shambigamous marriage at Birmingham's Register Office has been given asuspended prison sentence. Birmingham Crown Court heard that Maria de Sousa Barbosadesperately needed the cash to send to her parents in Portugal ....
We'll battle back, vows fire-hit club
Jun 27, 2006; ... STUNNED members of a Birmingham rugby club which burned to theground today vowed it would rise from the ashes. The clubhouse belonging to Five Ways Old Edwardians was gutted ina mystery blaze at around 1am yesterday. Firefighters from Northfield, Kings Norton, Bromsgrove ...
My Down's girl is an inspiration to us all HEALTH: Hospitals snap up family video of tot beating handicaps and enjoying life
Jun 27, 2006; ... A PROUD mum has made a moving video tribute of her young daughterin a bid to help people understand more about Down's syndrome. Jo Yarnall, of Aldridge, whose three-year-old daughter Hannah hasDown's, put together a montage celebrating her little girl's life andposted it on the ...
Holidaymakers hit by airport trolley folly
Jun 27, 2006; ... HOLIDAYMAKERS were forced to wait in the rain today after a fullevacuation was triggered at Birmingham International Airport - aftera food hostess trolley smashed into a fire alarm. Fire crews from Bickenhill and Solihull scrambled to the sceneafter a break-glass alarm panel was ...
Pair hurt as car crashes into pub
Jun 27, 2006 ... A DRIVER and his female passenger were injured when their carcareered into a pub after colliding with a van at an accidentblackspot. The man and woman, who have not been named, were travelling alongMarsh Lane at the junction with Shortheath Road, Erdington, when theaccident ...
Win!
Jun 27, 2006 ... Thomas the Tank Engine ...
Soldier killed in Afghanistan
Jun 27, 2006 ... A BRITISH soldier has been killed in Afghanistan, it was reportedtoday. A Ministry of Defence spokesman was unable to immediately confirmthat a soldier had died. He said: "We are aware of an incident in Helmand involving UKforces. Full details are still emerging. We will ...
TheWorld: Debate over exams
Jun 27, 2006 ... THE debate over whether GCSEs and A-levels are getting easier wasbeing reignited at a two-day conference starting today and attendedby some of the country's ...
TheWorld: Terror charge
Jun 27, 2006 ... A MAN, 21, arrested under the Terrorism Act was appearing in courttoday accused of conspiracy to murder. The man, who is from ...
TheWorld: Cops balloons blow
Jun 27, 2006 ... A POLICE community project has been told it could be breaking thelaw by holding a balloon launch in memory of children injured in roadaccidents. The Hampshire police-led ...
TheWorld: Piper cash vow
Jun 27, 2006 ... BILLIE Piper says she will not take any cash from her multi-millionaire ex-husband Chris Evans. The Doctor Who ...
TheWorld: Capital wash out
Jun 27, 2006 ... MORE than a foot of rain washed out highways around the UScapital, toppled a 100-year-old elm tree on the White House lawn andcaused ...
TheWorld: Medal service
Jun 27, 2006 ... THE bravery of Victoria Cross holders was celebrated at a specialservice to mark the 150th anniversary of the prestigious medal. Servicemen and women whose valour ...
TheWorld: ID cards in graves
Jun 27, 2006 ... FORENSIC experts unearthing the skeletons of Saddam Hussein'salleged victims have found an unexpected wealth of identificationcards in mass graves. The ...
I was 14 ... and I didn't listen to anyone. It makes me feel sick now groomed her was convicted of child sex offences by a Birmingham jury. Here, she bravely waives her right to anonymity to tell how evil Stuart Glenn Johnson ruined her life - before moving on to his next young victim. JASBIR AUTHI reports.
Jun 27, 2006; ... AS A child, Letitia Bennett dreamed of becoming a nursery nursewhen she grew up. The bright youngster had problems of her own at home but hoped oneday to help other children, offer them the love and support she sodesperately craved. Today her career dreams lie in tatters ...
'He used super glue to stop wrinkles'
Jun 27, 2006 ... PAEDOPHILE Johnson was not attracted to females over the age of25, according to his child bride wife. He was vain and literally "pulled" out all the stops to preventhimself getting old and wrinkly. Letitia said: "He was paranoid about wrinkle creams. "When I asked ...
Star birthdays
Jun 27, 2006 ... Meera Syal, writer and actor, 44' Tobey Maguire, actor, 31' TommyCannon, comedian, 68' Isabelle ...
Quiz of the day
Jun 27, 2006 ... 1. Which Hollywood star got married in Sydney at the weekend? 2. According to research, which city is the world's mostexpensive? 3. Which billionaire has announced he is to give the bulk of hisfortune to charity? 4. Which celebrity couple have announced they are ...
Clarke lashes PM and Reid POLITICS: Sacked Home Secretary breaks his silence
Jun 27, 2006; ... SACKED Home Secretary Charles Clarke launched a scathing attack onhis successor John Reid, suggesting that many of the serious issuesfor which the Home Office was now under fire were his fault. In one of a series of interviews, he spoke out publicly againstTony Blair, accusing the ...
Big day for our veterans
Jun 27, 2006 ... THE first Veterans Day to celebrate the achievement of militaryservicemen and women was being held today. The national event, to be held every June 27, celebrates thecontribution and achievements made by military veterans of all agesand experiences. It recognises all armed ...
Threat of post strike
Jun 27, 2006 ... THE threat of the first national postal strike for a decade came astep closer today when union leaders decided to ballot 130,000workers for industrial action in a bitter row over pay. The Communication Workers ...
German feast for beer lovers
Jun 27, 2006 ... PROST! Bavaria is coming to Brum in a huge boozy corporateshindig. Following the tradition of the world-famous Munich Oktoberfest,Birmingham is set to launch its very own Bierfest in September atMillennium Point. City-based event organiser Big Cat Group has detailed plans ...
Karren Brady
Jun 27, 2006 ... Wimbledon has got it ...
Fury at hospital emergency axe HEALTH: 'Efficiency cuts' mean longer journey for critical patients
Jun 27, 2006; ... CASH-STRAPPED health bosses have revealed controversial plans tocut emergency services at a Birmingham casualty department. Emergency surgery will be axed at City Hospital under theproposals, with patients driven miles out of Birmingham to SandwellHospital, in West Bromwich, ...
Plea over body in road riddle
Jun 27, 2006 ... A MAN whose body was discovered on the Redditch ring road wasnamed today as Anthony Chambers. Police are currently treating his death as "unexplained" and apost mortem was being carried out today. Police said the body of Mr Chambers, aged 45, of St ...
Boundaries 'difficult' for Labour
Jun 27, 2006 ... BOUNDARY changes will make it much more difficult for Labour towin an overall majority in the next general election, Birmingham MPGisela Stuart has warned. She was speaking after a new study claimed changes to boundariesmade a hung Parliament more likely. The findings were ...
Packing in a lot of fun
Jun 27, 2006 ... A FUN taste of holidays of yesteryear is on view at WalsallMuseum's Suitcases Unpacked exhibition. The show traces the history of what people would have packed intoa suitcase to go on their holidays. Claire Dolman, Walsall Council visitor assistant, said: "It's achance to ...
Hair help
Jun 27, 2006 ... A BIRMINGHAM hair salon is backing an initiative to help women whohave lost their hair through cancer treatment. The Umberto Giannini salon in Brindleyplace is involved withTrevor Sorbie's ...
Daredevil Terry in the fast lane MAX POWER LIVE Max Power Live returns to the NEC this weekend, and with it comes British stuntman supremo Terry Grant. Mailman LEE KENNY caught up with him to enjoy life in the fast lane.
Jun 27, 2006; ... EVEN if you don't remember the show, you're likely remember thetheme tune - The Unknown Stuntman. The toe-tapping country ballad accompanied the opening credits of80s TV hit The Fall Guy. The bittersweet song was perfect for the unsung heroes ofHollywood, the fearless ...
Funds plea to recreate 007 stunt
Jun 27, 2006 ... IN 1974, as Roger Moore prepared for his latest adventure as JamesBond, film makers hit on the idea of staging the greatest stunt ofall time. The classic scene when 007 escapes by jumping across a brokenbridge, flipping the car in the process in Live and Let Die is one ofthe ...
Clinging on - half terrified, half exhilarated - I looked across to see Grant, cool as you like MAX POWER LIVE
Jun 27, 2006 ... FOR as long as I can remember, I wanted to be a stuntman. But sitting behind the wheel of Terry Grant's high poweredVauxhall Vectra I was driving as if I'd borrowed my nan's car for theweekend. The problem was too many good habits and as I practised myhandbrake turns I was ...
Puppets to perform at lights show
Jun 27, 2006 ... A NATIONALLY-acclaimed puppeteer has been signed-up to perform ata Midland festival. Ultra violet puppets are set to star in their very own fun miniplay, UV Bugtastic, at the Walsall Arboretum Illuminations. Cannock-based ultra violet light puppeteer John Dempsey, whoseGlow ...
Scrabble club
Jun 27, 2006 ... BOARD games fans are being invited to join a scrabble club atSheldon Library. The club is held at the ...
Speed show set for Max Power MAX POWER LIVE
Jun 27, 2006 ... MAX Power Live rolls into the NEC from Friday to Sunday. New features for 2006 include Max Power's new 'Speed Arena', afree 45-minute show for ticket holders which ...
Village wins bypass fight CAMPAIGN: Delight as green belt road plan is axed
Jun 27, 2006; ... VILLAGERS who fought against plans to build a bypass close totheir homes were celebrating today after being told the route of theroad was going to be changed. Proposals for a bypass round Brownhills in Walsall led to acampaign by villagers living in Stonnall, amid fears the road ...
Probe after pair die in house fire
Jun 27, 2006 ... MYSTERY today surrounded the death of two people whose bodies werediscovered in a blaze at a Midland house. Firefighters were called to Loxley Close, in the Church Hill Southarea of Redditch, shortly after 9.50am yesterday. As they tackled the blaze, which had broken out in ...
Wonderwall! WORLD CUP 2006 Signwriters are scaling new heights
Jun 27, 2006; ... THE writing could be on the wall for Portugal if the signwritersbehind what is believed to be the world's biggest World Cup wallchartin Birmingham have anything to do with it. Mike Turner and Matt Parish, from Tyseley-based Hollywood Signs,have the job of scaling great heights ...
MORE OF YOUR PICTURES BACKING OUR BOYS IN GERMANY WORLD CUP 2006
Jun 27, 2006 ... SIX-year-old Jack Zammit hopes to be the next Frank Lampard, saidhis proud mum Faye. The 35-year-old Land Rover worker, from WestHeath, said: "He loves the World Cup and England as well as being aVilla fan and playing for Longbridge Colts." FOR soccer-mad dad Steve Tumulty a pair ...
OurSay
Jun 27, 2006 ... BY THEIR nature paedophiles are secretive, living in a shadowyworld hidden from decent people. And their victims, their anonymity protected by law, seldom revealhow their lives have been affected. But Letitia Bennett, now aged 19, has bravely waived that rightand has ...
OurSay: At the heart of your community
Jun 27, 2006 ... The Birmingham Mailhas served the city and surrounding towns as ...
Letter: YourSay - Sending a mixed massage
Jun 27, 2006; ... MASSAGE parlours are one of the biggest service providers in thecity and there's little chance of them being asset stripped and sentto China. But isn't this self confessed madam right? These are council licensed premises ...
Letter: YourSay - I WAS so relieved
Jun 27, 2006; ... I WAS so relieved to read the article revealing the shocking truthabout massage parlours and personal services in Birmingham. I had always assumed that the columns and columns ofadvertisements appearing in the Mail were offering spiritual guidanceand personal growth counselling ....
Letter: YourSay - YOUR paper reports
Jun 27, 2006; ... YOUR paper reports an important issue regarding the numbers ofbrothels in Birmingham. The situation that led to this headline was my objection at alicensing committee to the granting of a massage licence to anexisting brothel in Stirchley. The reason they applied for such a ...
Letter: YourSay - Adrian will be missed
Jun 27, 2006; ... I WAS disappointed to read the article in the Birmingham Mailstating that Adrian Goldberg was leaving Radio WM to pursue otherthings in the media. I will miss his interesting early morning sharp-witted points withwhich he makes ...
Letter: YourSay - Road wrinklies
Jun 27, 2006; ... I WOULD assume from the tone of his letter that A Jones is ayounger driver. Eyesight defects are a consideration at any age, not just forelderly drivers, and regular checks should be mandatory for all ages. As for reaction times, I am 63 years old. Earlier this year ...
Letter: YourSay - Malthouse display
Jun 27, 2006; ... IN RESPONSE to the letter from G Elcock regarding information onMalthouse Farm, there is a display at Kings Heath library ...
Letter: YourSay - Preserve murals
Jun 27, 2006; ... HOW nice to see your photo of Oliver Budd in front of the Kennedymosaic. Oliver has for many years been responsible for maintaining themurals which his father Kenneth created in the 60s. Sadly most ofthem have now gone and the destruction of the GWR and the Kennedyappears ...
Write to us and win a digital camera
Jun 27, 2006 ... WE KNOW our readers love airing their views on the BirminghamMail's famous letters page - and now we're giving them the chance towin a fabulous camera, too! Once a week we'll choose a Star Letter which, thanks to the memoryexperts at Crucial Technology, will win a 7.2 megapixel ...
RememberWhen? 1997
Jun 27, 2006 ... SUMMER - a time for open air rock festivals. But Glastonbury in 1997 was more a mud-fest rather than a music-fest. Downpours caused such flooding that some of the 100,000 revellerswere left suffering from trench-foot. Afterwards pounds 35,000 was spent on improving ...
TheBigQuestion
Jun 27, 2006 ... We asked yesterday if the Human Rights Act should be scrapped. 97% YES 3% NO Today: has Tony Blair lost direction? (Calls from BT lines ...
Letter: YourSay - A very smart Girl
Jun 27, 2006; ... WHAT an excellent letter from Chris Jones supporting NatashaBrown ....
Letter: YourSay - Self loathing
Jun 27, 2006; ... WITHOUT doubt the worst designed building in Birmingham isSelfridges. I feel a great sorrow to ...
Letter: YourSay - Waiting times
Jun 27, 2006; ... I WORKED on the buses 30 years ago and, yes, I do think ...
Letter: YourSay - Waiting times
Jun 27, 2006; ... CAN somebody from Travel West Midlands tell me why a short busjourney now seems to take nearly two hours? I regularly travel on the buses and they should be every tenminutes but I've waited 20 minutes and ...
Letter: YourSay - Music memories
Jun 27, 2006; ... IN 1976 when I was 19 I managed to get tickets for Top of the Popsand threw a sickie from college. When I arrived at the studios with my friend the DJ was JimmySaville. During the warm-up he approached me and said he was going tomake me a star. Consequently, I appeared by his side ...
Introduction to the house of the future THIS is the energy efficient home of the future.
Jun 27, 2006 ... Instead of relying solely on commercially produced fuel forheating, lighting and powering appliances, it would also harness thepower of the earth, wind and sun. It would mean a house where fuel bills were only a fraction ofwhat they are today - and many of the products are already ...
Website honour in Gemma's memory MEMORIAL: Family set up scheme to showcase fund to help future schoolchildren
Jun 27, 2006; ... THE anguished family of high-flying graduate Gemma Newman who waskilled by her ex-fiance have set up a website in her honour. The website has been designed to be a living journal documentingher life and the work of a memorial fund set up by her family to helpfuture schoolchildren ....
Airline set for Brum expansion
Jun 27, 2006 ... HIGH-flying airline Monarch is to offer a bumper 600,000 seatsfrom Birmingham next summer - a 50 per cent increase - to cope withthe rush for the sun from Midland holidaymakers. The scheduled low fares airline, which launched its Midlandoperation just 14 months ago with two ...
Allotment fun
Jun 27, 2006 ... KIND-hearted members of an allotment society are set to stage afund-raising open day. Enthusiasts at the Borneo Street allotments in Wal sal l arestaging the event ...
Play National Lottery games at the click of your mouse
Jun 27, 2006 ... WHAT does lucky lady Ms W, from West Midlands, who won pounds102,606.00 on Lotto, and Warwickshire gent Mr H, who won pounds359,803.20 on EuroMillions, have in common? Apart from a run of lottery luck, a healthy bank balance and astack of luxury holiday brochures that is ....