IN spite of recent unseasonable weather several species of birds, who spend the summer in Britain, had already arrived. These included garganey ducks, lesser black backed gulls at Westwood Park, in Droitwich, and meadow pipits at Frankley.

PLANS for an impressive new Cofton Hackett parish hall to be built at the quarry site in Rednal were unveiled. It would be approached by paths through laid out, formal gardens. Now all that was required was to find the £5,000 to pay for the building.

PATRICIA Rushton, from Phepson Manor, near Droitwich, continued to underline her skill as one of the country's leading female point-to-point riders when partnering her horse, Episil, to another victory, this time at the West Warwickshire Farmers' event at Alcester Heath.

THE death occurred of Catshill's oldest resident and Methodist stalwart Frank Wilkes, from Golden Cross Lane. He was 88. He was born into a nailing family and began making nails at the tender age of seven, only going to school part time until he was 11. Rebelling against poor pay and conditions he emigrated to Canada where he managed a paper mill. He later returned to Catshill and worked at the Austin works for 30 years.

WORCESTERSHIRE police were seeking fit, honest, well educated young men, minimum height 5ft 10ins in Bromsgrove, to join the force. Starting pay was £440 a year rising to £550.