THE Bromsgrove Charities board was seeking a married couple to fill a vacancy in a town almshouse. An advert in the Bromsgrove Messenger said the applicants must be poor, of good character, have lived in the parish of All Saints for three years and be aged 60-plus.

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A MAN who never once slept away from his home in a Bromsgrove village died at the ripe old age of 84. Belbroughton born and bred William Ruston was described as "the last of a band of links with the past". He lived just yards from the cottage where he was born and was reported to have never missed a good night's sleep in the parish - maintaining a tradition set by his mother.

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VILLAGERS from Rubery met in the Rose and Crown pub in New Road, to organise plans for the Coronation festival. Committee members collected a sum of money from residents and planned to give each child a medal and host a day of sports and amusements in the village.

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THE old custom of beating the bounds was revived in Barnt Green, Rubery and Rednal. A morning service was held at Lickey Church, where many residents prayed for a plentiful harvest. They then used carriages, motors and bicycles to travel around the boundaries of the parish.