'I HAVE no excuse' was the reason stated by Arthur Hobbis, of Gibb Lane, Catshill, when he was hauled before the bench for cycling at night without his lights on. Temporary sergeant Griffen in Meadow Lane, Catshill, caught the 30-year-old man on his bike in Meadow Lane, Catshill, on September 7 at 11.10pm. He was ordered to pay £1.

RAYMOND Kendall, of Lyttleton Avenue, Charford, was summoned for not paying his fines after being convicted of owing £21 5s 9d (£21.29) in National Insurance contributions. The 87-year-old man said he had to give up his job at The Foundry in Austin Road ten days before to care for his sick wife and had no employment since. The case was adjourned for two weeks to give Mr Kendall the opportunity to find work.

THE Friends of Bromsgrove Hospitals raised more than £600 in their first year, it was announced at a packed meeting at the Council House. The group was set up to help buy amenities, which could not be provided by the state for The Cottage, All Saints, Hill Top and Blackwell hospitals. So far, they had set aside £187 15s 11d (£187.79) for Christmas presents. They had also bought a television, electric blanket and chairs and there were plans to build a children's room at Hill Top.

MIDLAND Red bus station in Bromsgrove was urgently looking for new drivers, and both male and female conductors. Residents were being enticed to the positions with a range of tempting conditions including good wages, free uniform, off duty travel concessions and up to 18 days holiday per year.

THE members of The Upper Parsonage Drive Coronation Group of Cofton Hackett enjoyed a trip to Southend Illuminations and London. It was organised by Mr S Williams, of Parsonage Drive.

A GRAND dance was to be held at LG Harris Brushworks that night. The Dave Webb dance orchestra was to provide the music between 8pm and midnight. Midland Red laid on free transport from Rubery, Fairfield, Redditch and Droitwich.