COMPLAINTS from nearby residents about organised ball games, particularly football, being played in Crown Close could lead to the town getting its first official recreation ground. Bromsgrove's town council was to explore the possibility of allowing building on land in Market Street in return for use of land at the rear as a public open space. The vicar, particularly, was upset at the damage caused to his garden and greenhouse by balls being kicked into his vicarage garden.

BROMSGROVE Fire Brigade was to install the latest electric alarm system in the homes of the firemen. It would replace the old fashioned manually rung bell which had been in use for many years to summon the men to the station. The Messenger was, however, wary that the "push" device to operate the alarm, although behind glass, might become a target for naughty children to press and then run away.

THE newspaper the Sunday Companion recognised Mr R Duffill's 50 years' of devoted service to religion in Bromsgrove by presenting him with a distinguished service medal and a roll of honour. Mr Duffill was superintendent of the parish church's Sunday school and for 30 years had occupied the same role at Worcester Street Baptist Chapel.

VAGRANT William Darbill, who had been previously sentenced at Bromsgrove Petty Sessions to Worcester Jail for seven days, had been found by a warder hanging by a piece of string in his cell. The coroner at the inquest questioned the wisdom of the authorities using twine to tie up the bundles of oakum which was given to prisoners to pick.

STOKE Prior cricket club ended the season with a friendly against a combined 2nd and veterans XI two of whom had wooden legs. Many of the "granddads" showed surprising agility while those spotted smoking on the outfield swiftly put their pipes aside when the ball came their way. The veterans scored 106 runs, one more than their opponents.