THE new Rubery residents association committed itself to fight for a better deal for members. Cockhill Residents Association, covering nearly 1,000 homes, was determined to change the image of the area when over 100 people attended a meeting chaired by resident Brian France. He said: "People are angered by the lack of interest shown by the council. Some of the problems maybe of our own making but the area has suffered years of neglect."

PUBLIC opinion was going to be sought before plans were finalised for a temporary medium secure unit at Barnsley Hall Hospital. Bromsgrove and Redditch Community Health Council heard it would only be a temporary unit until a larger 100-bed unit was completed at Rubery Hill. It was suggested the district management team, which intended to seek the views of the public, should call on the community health council to look at the proposals in depth, as it was feared the unit would need a high staff-patient ratio and would be expensive to run.

A SPECIAL concert was held at Bournville Concert Hall in memory of a Marlbrook ex-serviceman who spent all his spare time fund raising for St Dunstons Guide Dogs for the blind. Doug Cashmore was remembered at the concert, which included West Midlands Police choir and singers from Bromsgrove School of Music. Doug also helped with the poppy appeal fund.