RUBERY was a "forgotten village" as far as Bromsgrove District Council was concerned, Jack Troth, chairman of the Chamber of Trade, complained. Rubery always had to make do with second best regarding amenities, cash allocation, transport and even Christmas lights, he said.

BROMSGROVE Cricket Club was preparing to entertain Bangladesh at St Godwald's over the Whitsun holidays. The Bangladesh squad was in Britain as one of 14 associated members of the International Cricket Conference taking part in a qualifying competition before next month's World Cup.

GREEN woodpeckers had wreaked havoc with beehives in the district during the harsh months of last winter, it emerged. Arthur Higgins, of Bromsgrove, who had 45 in various parts of the town, said the hungry birds with their dagger-like bills had damaged his hives to get to the bees, which, being in a sleepy state, would not sting them.

THE recently-refurbished Cock Pit Theatre at Avoncroft Museum, Stoke Heath, was officially opened. It had been rescued from Bridgnorth, where it had been used to stage plays after the barbaric sport was outlawed in 1830. The building had been refurbished at a cost of £20,000, using 30,000 reclaimed bricks and 2,000 old tiles.

ANGRY Barnt Green residents took to the streets armed with barrows and brooms, claiming the village was filthy and had not been swept for over a year. They quickly collected heaps of litter and horse manure from the highway and footpaths.

BROMSGROVE'S recently-opened new western relief road was likened to Le Mans race track by pedestrians, who took their lives in their own hands by trying to dodge the traffic when they attempted to cross it. Police had been called upon to stop speeding drivers to allow shoppers marooned on Market Street car park, to cross to High Street. Eventually two pelican crossings, one by Key Markets another near St John Street, would go someway to removing the risk.