DR Alan Nunn May, 41, a former lecturer and member of a Barnt Green family, who had been sentenced to ten years' jail in 1946 for communicating information about atomic research was released from Wakefield prison very early on Monday. He did however, manage to dodge the 30 or so pressmen waiting by the gate.

THE Minister of Supply Mr Duncan Sandys was to visit Garringtons in Bromsgrove and the Austin Motor Work next week as part of a "get to know you" exercise with bosses and see the problems besetting the engineering industry for himself.

DESCRIBED as one of Bromsgrove's "elder statesmen" John Ashfield from Sidemoor died, aged 85 on Boxing Day. A man of many talents who had a strong faith he had been a district councillor and chapel organist for many years as well as a leading light in the Oddfellows organisation. He had also run Sidemoor Post Office for many years.

A COMPETITION to find the best cinema foyer in the Midlands was won by the Regal in Worcester Road, Bromsgrove, with its Disney theme.

THE Messenger looked back on 1952, particularly the changes involving new housing estates and then completion of the new Charford council homes scheme. Looking ahead, Labour could snatch control of the district council in the spring and the Coronation celebrations were eagerly anticipated. The paper urged townsfolk to support these but feared competition from TV pictures beamed live from London may mean that local festivities would be better held when the television went off air.