PLANS for what was expected to become Bromsgrove's Education Centre were published in The Messenger. A college of further education and four schools were earmarked for the 60-acre plot of land between Well Lane and Alcester Road. Final details were still to be finalised but work on a three form entry grammar school to accommodate 600 pupils, to replace the school at Parkside, was expected to begin this year.

AN infestation of death watch beetles in the timbers above the nave and Vernon aisle in Hanbury church would mean a big and costly repair job would have to be carried out very soon.

A MEMORIAL to the uncrowned king of showmen, funfair proprietor Alderman Pat Collins of Walsall, would take the form of a large clock to be erected in Bloxwich, his headquarters. For generations the name Pat Collins had been synonymous with Bromsgrove's midsummer fair on June 24.

ROMANCE seemed to be in short supply in Bromsgrove. The Post Office reported handling only a slight increase in mail on St Valentine's Day. However, the number of telegrams sent increased by about 60.

THE number of people out of work in Bromsgrove continued to fall. Figures for January showed there were 34 on the dole, 23 men and 11 women. In mid-December the Labour Exchange had 100 jobs on offer.