THE standard of the Bromsgrove branch of the Burma Star Association was carried with pride by 73-year-old Stan Wright at the funeral of Earl Mountbatten. The town was one of a hundred or so represented from all over Britain at the funeral. Mr Wright was secretary of the local branch.

PLANS were in the pipeline to reopen the famous Droitwich Brine Baths as a remedial treatment centre. There was also a possibility that a private hospital would be built along with a new superstore on Covercroft. However, the Spa's Labour group was opposed to the hospital plan maintaining it would do nothing for the Spa.

BROMSGROVE Rovers were hoping to appoint a new manager ahead of their FA Cup tie against Dudley following the shock resignation of Roy Martin. The club's chairman would not be drawn on rumours that new player, the ex-West Bromwich Albion star Bobby Hope, would be taking over.

A SEVEN year dream came true this week for Dodford residents when the new village hall was used for a function for the first time. The idea of replacing the 116-year-old Memorial Hall had been aired seven years before and was now a reality. The construction work had almost entirely been carried out by volunteers. The village WI and gardening club show was to be the first function in the new premises.

THE poor quality of food served up to patients at Bromsgrove General Hospital prompted nurses to get up a petition demanding it be improved. They claimed it was unhealthy and badly cooked. The bosses put the blame on a shortage of kitchen staff.