THE sales were in full swing with many shops in Bromsgrove taking large adverts in the Messenger. John Justin in High Street had men's suits on offer at £17.99 and shirts for just £2.59. Avalon three-piece suites at £244 were selling well at Baylis furnishers also in High Street. Among the many holiday ads Universal Travel had Laker air trips to New York for £89.

CHRISTMAS had been celebrated in traditional style in Bromsgrove's hospitals. At Barnsley Hall 400 patients sat down to dinner with all the trimmings after which they watched TV and films. At the General, the 300 patients received a visit from the chairman of Bromsgrove District Council Cllr Maurice Broomfield and town MP Hal Miller. The 24 patients at the Cottage, unable to go home for the holidays, spent a quiet time in front of the TV. Choirs and dancers entertained the 40 or so patients at the Forelands.

THE new pavilion extension at St Godwald's Park, Aston Fields, the headquarters of the town cricket, hockey and tennis clubs was opened by president Norman Hedges.

THERE was good news for the 100 scouts in the Barnt Green group. They had been given the land on which their headquarters had stood since 1934 thanks to a generous gesture by Blackwell residents Mrs Marion Cadbury and Harry Riley.

A CENTURY of service to Garringtons factory in Bromsgrove was celebrated by four Smart brothers. Reg this week received his watch and certificate after clocking up 25 years' service with the Aston Fields firm. His brothers George, Sid and Dennis having already achieved their quarter centuries ahead of him.