A LARGE gathering of people, who turned up to watch the netting of fish in the vastly overstocked Big Bittell Reservoir at Cofton Hackett, were treated to some comic capers. Despite the efforts of the onlookers and two strong horses, the 100-yard sea net could not be budged, the rope eventually snapped. It was feared the net was fouling the submerged yacht Mermaid which had sunk some years before in a storm. About 3,000 fish were caught and transferred in four water carts to a pool in Birmingham.

LUCY Spiers from Cock Lane, Rubery, appeared before Bromsgrove magistrates charged with being drunk in Gannow Green Lane. Pc Poyner declared she was found lying in the road and in danger of being run over but had been picked up by two men and moved to a nearby field to sober up. She was given the option of a 2/6 (12.5p) fine or 14 days' hard labour.

A SENSATION was caused in Bromsgrove on Saturday when the horse belonging to the town's cricket club harnessed to a 1.5 ton roller bolted from Recreation Ground in Parkside. The roller was just two inches narrower than the gateway through which it careered. The crazed animal negotiated the corner by Wilson's, galloped down High Street, St John Street, Hanover Street and Worcester Street before being pulled up as it began a second circuit. Three days later it again bolted. This time the new mower to which it was attached was extensively damaged.

THERE was confusion over the name of the road leading to Stoke Heath from Bromsgrove Station. It was known as Stoke Road and Charford Road. Now, on the recommendation of Stoke Prior Parish Council, the county council planned to erect boards indicating the residents' preferred choice, Stoke Road.

A TEAM of crack shots with airguns from the Barley Mow pub in Droitwich travelled to Bromsgrove to challenge the top guns from the Mitre, the result was a draw. Later a successful smoking concert was enjoyed by both teams.