A FIRE destroyed the Jehovah's Witnesses' Kingdom Hall, in York Road, Sidemoor, during the early hours of Sunday causing £40,000 worth of damage. Some nearby residents were evacuated as firemen from Bromsgrove and Redditch fought to control the blaze. Police were seeking witnesses.

CHARFORD First School in Bromsgrove had remove swimming lessons from its curriculum and more schools were expected to follow. The reason was the cash-strapped county council had axed financial support for conveying pupils to and from the baths.

ANGRY golfers at Lickey Hills municipal course were protesting against a proposed 85 per cent rise in fees. Members planned to picket the course urging others not to pay the increase which would have put up the charge for a round to £2.50.

THE first issue of Behind the Times, South Bromsgrove High School's newspaper rolled off the presses this week and was warmly received. 130 copies were sold within 30 minutes and all profits were to be ploughed back into the venture.