THERE was mounting concern in educational circles over the type of material school children in the district were reading. It followed the discovery that an American comic was doing the rounds in local schools.

THE newly-released census returns for 1951 made interesting reading. Worcestershire had the lowest divorce rate in the UK of 1.7 in every 1,000 marriages failing, compared with some other areas which had a rate as high as six in every 1,000. The county's population since 1931 up to 1951 had risen by more than 100,000. The population of the urban district of Bromsgrove during that time had risen by 6,453 to 27,918 and there were 1,000 more women than men.

A GROUP of a dozen or so young worshippers at St Andrew's Church, Barnt Green, had spent many thousands of hours at nights and weekends rebuilding and refurbishing the organ which dated from 1926. The work had improved its tone and scope and more than £1,000 had been saved in the process.

THE Friends of Bromsgrove Hospitals staged their third fete to raise cash for patient care. It was opened by urban district council chairman Cllr Henry Webley and was well supported by many dignitaries and influential townsfolk. Dr Mundy won the treasure hunt and Mr Phillips repeated his feat of two years ago by successfully bowling for a pig. The event raised the magnificent sum of £200.