THE splendid weather over Easter brought visitors flocking to the Lickey Hills in their thousands. Seldom had the numbers been equalled, the Messenger observed. As usual most had come from Birmingham where 3,326 tickets to Barnt Green railway station had been sold from New Street station.

VILLAGERS in Belbroughton were grateful to Mr Noel, who had donated nearly an acre of land at the west end of the church to extend the churchyard. It was so crowded it was not possible to dig a new grave without disturbing a previous one. Relatives of former residents were often upset when told a loved one could not be buried in the village. Mr Noel made the generous gesture to mark his golden wedding anniversary.

THE Worcestershire Hunt held its annual point-to-point in glorious weather at Crowle on Thursday where the Lady Dudley Cup was as usual the feature event. At one stage part of the huge crowd formed a crush around the luncheon tent resulting in a 12- year-old boy slipping over and breaking a leg.

DODFORD was to get its own ecclesiastical parish with a church, vicar and vicarage. The news, which would delight villagers, was revealed at an Easter vestry meeting at St John's church in Bromsgrove.