BROMSGROVE Cottage Hospital made a loss of £247 last year, the first for many years. This was due mainly to a rise in the nurses' wage bill of £619, repairs of £161 and £163 for foodstuffs. But despite the shortfall patient fees were still to be kept at pre-war prices.

INCE Brothers, farmers at Fairfield House Farm opposite the Parsonage, had an 18-ton wheat rick, worth £163, destroyed by fire. Members of Bromsgrove National Fire Service spent 12 hours tackling the blaze but failed to save it. It was believed children were to blame. It was a second major blow for the brothers as last July one of their barns burned down.

DESPITE many problems caused by the war, Bromsgrove County High School had enjoyed one of its most successful years ever, according to Dr Baron the headmaster in his speech at the annual prize-giving ceremony. He said pupils had helped the war effort by working on local farms and at the post office at Christmas, as well as amassing savings of £10,000. The school had, however, suffered from staff shortages. Some pupils were being forced to travel to Worcester to have physics lessons.

AMONG the popular handy hints for housewives featured in The Messenger and issued by the Ministry of Food was a timely message about damp and lumpy sugar rations. It appeared sugar had been hoarded in warehouses in great quantities as a safeguard against air attacks but was now being distributed to shops. The Government wanted to make it clear the valuable commodity was still safe to eat.