VISCOUNTESS Cobham, wife of the chairman of the Governors of Bromsgrove School, opened a fete held at the playing field at The Broom House in Old Station Road. The event was organised to raise money for the recently announced £70,000 scheme for a new preparatory school. Stalls at the fete featured a wide selection of goods, including lampshades, trays, basket work and book racks. Around £700 was raised.

JACQUELINE Goodby, aged ten, of Linthurst Primary School, was awarded junior first prize for Worcestershire in a handwriting and art competition, promoted by a tea firm. She received £3 5s worth of National Savings and a first prize certificate for her success.

BARNT Green Horticultural Society held its monthly meeting and show at St Andrew's Hall. Mr A Fox gave an instructive lecture on how to exhibit flowers, fruits and vegetables. He also judged the exhibits and awarded prizes. Miss E Holden was awarded first prize for best broad beans, while Mrs A Chapman won the best peas category. F Jones won the best blackcurrants and Mr E Norton was rewarded for his gooseberries.

BROMSGROVE Cricket Club suffered a 169-run thrashing at the hands of Sutton Coldfield. Their inability to hold on to catches early on put them in a difficult situation and, after a hesitant start, Sutton Coldfield reached 230 for 5 - the highest score anyone had achieved against Bromsgrove this season. Bromsgrove's innings soon became a nightmare with seven batsmen giving catches off spin bowlers, to make the score 25 for 7. They were eventually all-out for 61.