EDWARD Griffin, aged 25, whose parents lived in Mayfield House, Catshill, died in hospital shortly after being injured in a scrum while playing rugby for Kings Heath at the weekend. Mr Griffin had been a last minute replacement for a teammate who had dropped out. An inquest decided his death had been accidental.

THE Messenger published an account of the strange case of recluse John Tallis, from Burcot, Bromsgrove, who died, age 80, in 1755. He could not bear to come into contact with fresh air and the small glass panes in his solitary window were three times the normal thickness. His shirt was made from quilted swanskin and he covered his head with 100 yards of flannel. He had stoppers in his nostrils, kept a piece of ivory in his mouth and covered his face with a piece of woollen cloth at all times.

BATTLE of Britain Week was marked in Bromsgrove by a number of events including a fishing contest. However, the number of people attending the service in the parish church was fewer than usual.

JOSEPH Watterson, a former newsagent, council chairman, JP, chorister for 50 years and keen sportsman from West Road, Bromsgrove, died aged 73. Described as a 'John Bull' type, he had been in business in Stourbridge Street and in the early days had carried his papers to sell in Catshill and Belbroughton.