A CANARY owned by Mr Sandles, of Stoney Hill, which had attained the incredible age of 22 had died. His family had acquired it when it was 12 months old.

MANY farmers in Bromsgrove and Droitwich Spa were pinning their hopes of staying in business, on having a good grain harvest.

Last year's had been a disaster and due to the incessant rain, many had not been able to complete the task until November. But with the wet weather continuing, almost unabated since the prospects for this year looked equally grim. The land was too sodden to plant.

THE famous walker "Dr" Deighton, 61, was given a warm welcome by townsfolk in Bromsgrove on Tuesday evening as he made the 959-mile trek from Land's End to John O'Groats.

He had started his journey on February 29 and expected to finish on March 26. He stayed overnight at the Coach and Horses Hotel in High Street and was handed a sprig of acacia by a well-wisher as he set off the next morning.

THE last minute cancellation of a match between Bromsgrove Hockey Club and Stourbridge caused an upset.

Stourbridge's secretary had called it off because there was a covering of snow which he assumed, without first checking, was affecting the pitch at Bromsgrove.

However, The Messenger's sports correspondent said he had seldom seen the Bromsgrove pitch in better condition.

The paper said similar incidents used to happen in cricket but that changed when fines were imposed on clubs that failed to turn up.

THE vicar of Bromsgrove Parish Church, the Rev E Vine Hall, was to take the chair at a meeting organised by the Central Association for Stopping the Sale of Intoxicating Liquors on Sundays. It was to be held in the Institute in New Road.