A FREAK flash of lightning struck a barn at Burcot Farm near Bromsgrove causing damage to the gable end and tiles. The flash literally came out of the blue as it was cloudless at the time and not raining and with no sign of tempest. It was followed by the loudest clap of thunder ever heard in the village. The owner of the property was Councillor Roland Fletcher, whose wife was in the garden and who, despite being badly shaken, was not hurt.

GARRINGTONS was forced to lay off 580 of its 3,500 workforce at its Aston Fields Newton Works plant. The recession and industrial trouble at the BMC car factory at Longbridge was said to be the reason.

THE old saying about rain falling on St Swithun's day resulting in it not stopping for 40 days and nights appeared to have come true this year. Lashing storms and cold nights had laid flat acres of standing corn making it almost impossible for farmers to gather.

A QUICK look at some of the adverts in the Messenger of half a century ago showed new freehold, three bedroomed homes were on sale in rural Newlands Road in Droitwich for £2,575. British Rail was running a cheap trip to Worcester races from the Spa for a fare of 1/4 (6.5p). And for 5/ (25p) a good night could be had at a dance at The Plymouth Ballroom in Tardebigge where coaches would convey revellers to and from most areas. Meanwhile Fess Parker, as Davy Crockett, was thrilling audiences at the Regal Cinema in Bromsgrove.