THE dry weather was responsible for Bromsgrove firefighters being called out to 14 grass fires over the Easter holidays. A further four calls were to chimney fires. Wednesday's rain was welcomed not only by gardeners, but the fire brigade as well.

COUNTY medical officers were delighted with the take up by parents of the offer of polio jabs for their children. And doctors in Bromsgrove and elsewhere in the county were pleased to have received advice from the government about the vaccine in order to be able to answer questions put to them by concerned parents.

ST John's parish church in Bromsgrove was celebrating having had 422 communicants on Easter Day - the highest number for 25 years. However the vicar, the Rev Shepherd, said that while he was pleased he believed more should have attended the services. The collection was £77.

A BRIEF look at some of the prices realised at Bromsgrove's Tuesday produce market showed potatoes went for 24/- (£1.20) a hundredweight, tomato plants 5/6 (27.5p) a half dozen, radishes 3/3 (16p) a dozen bunches and budgerigars 7/- (35p) apiece.

THE death at the age of 64 of Jack Gibbs, of Little Intall Farm, Stoke Prior, came as a shock to the many who knew him. A member of an old established Stoke farming family, he had played a leading role in local agricultural and community activities and in his youth had played rugby for Bromsgrove.