SIR Barrie Heath, chairman of engineering giant GKN, paid a flying visit to its Garringtons factory in Bromsgrove. The 63-year-old boss, who was about to retire, dropped in by helicopter to tour the world-renowned works and say goodbye to staff.

THE retiring head at Waseley Hills High School, George McCleverty, spelt out a few home truths in his report at his last speech day. He said many of the classrooms were now suffering from being built with cheap materials and were shoddy. Since 1970 he said there had been few days when contractors had not been there carrying out repairs.

BBC ENGINEERS were working flat out to get Radio 4 back on air after a 700-ft transmission aerial at Wychbold was blown down in a gale, leaving it a mass of tangled steel. The work had to be delayed until the wind dropped sufficiently for the repairs to begin.

TEACHERS in Bromsgrove were prepared to strike if the county council carried out its threat to axe up to 350 teaching jobs. Worcestershire was the second county to consider the move, brought about by budget cuts forced on local authorities by the government.