AT a ceremony thought to be unique in Britain an outdoor alter was dedicated at the scouts camping ground at Cofton Hackett by the Rector of Northfield. It was in memory of William Middleton, a scoutmaster, who died in 1952, and had been associated with the movement for 30 years.

MEMBERS of Bromsgrove's Blue Circle Hoe-Down Square Dance Club held a fete in the grounds of the White House, in Burcot Lane, to raise cash for the General Hospital. Last year's event raised enough to buy a TV set for a ward. The £20 from this year's fete would pay for a trip to Weston for elderly patients.

HANBURY WI entertained a party of 50 visitors from France who were staying at Avoncroft College, in Bromsgrove. The trip had been organised by a French Roman Catholic agricultural newspaper to foster a better relationship between the peoples of the two countries. The visit prompted Hanbury rector, the Rev Birch, to recall the welcome he had received after landing on the Normandy beaches ten years before.

DROITWICH Rural District councillor, Mr L Hyde, was awarded the MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.

TRADERS in Bromsgrove were disappointed when the district council chose to ignore a petition they had submitted calling for parking fees in the town to be scrapped. They said customers were being driven away. Receipts from car parks in the town last month had been £81.