A TOTAL of 555 people were on the dole in Bromsgrove, 385 men and 170 women. The figures did not include young people or students.

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THIS year's Bromsgrove Music Festival, considered to be one of Bromsgrove's jewels, could be the last. Fears for its future were voiced when cash strapped Bromsgrove District Council announced that from next year it proposed to halve the amount of grants it gave to organisations in the district.

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WASELEY Hills teacher Reg Armitt, from Spadesbourne Road, Lickey End, had retired three times in the last four months. The first was at Christmas, but he went back when a replacement could not be found. Then his second departure date was delayed after he had said his farewells, but last week he finally made it. In his 44 years at Waseley he had never been late or absent.

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BROMSGROVE was to celebrate the silver jubilee with a carnival parade through the streets, the first for many years. Other events planned for the Queen's big day included a barbecue and a bonfire.

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THE boss of a Bromsgrove coach firm was angry at being blackmailed by the powerful Transport and General Workers Union. Officials said if he persisted in conveying people to the Night Out club in Birmingham they would starve him of fuel for his fleet of vehicles. The union was in dispute with the night spot over the sacking of a waitress.