AN idea to make Bromsgrove a borough had been floated. The Messenger reflected that while many were in love with the idea of the higher status it would bring, the cost of a mayor, alderman and other officials would turn folk off the idea. It went on to say in Edward I's reign Bromsgrove was sufficiently important to be able to have two MPs but the cost - £5 per day - was too much.

THE council warned it would not hesitate to prosecute after an unprecedented number of townsfolk complained of finding foreign bodies in foodstuffs. Among recent findings were cockroaches, pan scourers and a child's tooth. The body of a toad had also been found in a pint of milk.

BROMSGROVE Rovers were knocked out of the FA Cup by Kidderminster Harriers for the second year running. The Greens lost 2-1 in front of 1,665 fans - Agborough's largest gate this season.

HIGH Gaitskell, the Chancellor the Exchequer in the last Labour government, spoke on nationalisation and education at Avoncroft College in Bromsgrove. In a question and answer session which followed, Labour district councillor Bill Kings voiced his concern over local state schools having classes of 50 pupils, whereas some of the prep schools now springing up had only ten or 12.

THERE was dismay in some quarters that Bromsgrove's Horse Show and Gymkhana, which had been held since 1943, was to stop. A lack of public support was given as an official reason. However, many said the venue, the cricket ground in New Road, was too far from the town centre.