SCENES reminiscent of wartime were on view in Bromsgrove as houswives queued all day to buy bread when bakery workers employed by the national firms went on strike. Independent family firms Robinsons and Godsells were working flat out to meet the increased demand.

CHRIS Tarrant star of Tiswas and ATV Today opened Rubery village fete. His arrival in the main arena in a horse drawn wagon accompanied by carnival queen Beverley Peters, caused much amusement when the animal refused to budge and had to be manhandled to come in front of the rostrum.

IT was a triumphant day for the ladies at Dodford Gardening Club and Women's Institute joint show held in the Memorial Hall. They took all eight trophies from among the huge 420 entries. Top winner was Edith Morgan who went home happy clutching three cups.

GREAT secrecy surrounded Bromsgrove Council's plans for a major development on the town's former cattle market site. Meetings were held behind closed doors and the section of the Council House where the plans were on display was sealed off even to councillors who had to get special permission to enter the room from deputy surveyor. John Sowdon.