ON the eve of Lickey Church's centenary year it was announced repairs to the stonework, costing £1,000, were necessary. It was hoped the money would be raised before the end of the year. The land on which the church had been built had been donated by the Plymouth family from Hewell.

BRYANTS the builders had successfully tendered for £131,000/5/9 (£131,000.29p) to build 96 flats and maisonettes at Charford for Bromsgrove District Council. Two plots had also been identified on which to build a church. But the chief postmaster at Birmingham had turned down proposals for a post office on the estate as there was one already at Rock Hill less than a mile away. But with 1,000 homes eventually planned for the estate the council hoped he would change his mind.

FEW people living in country areas around Bromsgrove had shown any interest in a scheme to buy their council houses. The rural district council had sent out 433 circulars outlining the scheme and offered help with purchases. 108 householders had replied, but only four people at Barnt Green, Penmanor, Hopwood and Alvechurch had shown any real interest.

GARRINGTON'S forgings factory at Aston Fields had scooped small tools orders worth £60,000 after exhibiting at the Leipzig trade fair. The firm's Kestrel wrenches and Jackdaw spanners were in demand from customers in many European countries, including West Germany where equivalent tools were 15 per cent cheaper. But the Bromsgrove-made products were of a better quality.

A PLAN to build a housing estate on Finstall Park in Bromsgrove was thrown out by the rural district council. It said such a development would create an unnecessary and substantial extension to the town in what was a pleasant rural area.