THE clocks were turned back when 300 people enjoyed an evening of pure nostalgia, writes Pete Lammas.

Now it is hoped that cash from the evening will help Bromsgrove get a second town sign, similar to the one erected in Stratford Road a year ago.

Encouraged by the positive response to the first sign, which was funded by the Bromsgrove Society, members organised a sing-along Roll Out the Barrel concert to raise cash for a second.

It was held at the Spadesbourne Suite and raised around £2,500.

Lydiate Ash-based artists Sussie Arvesen and Terry Bradford, who together form The Famous Music Company, have delighted audiences all over Britain with their two-hour concerts of songs from days gone by.

Bromsgrove Society has yet to firm up plans for the new sign and where it will be sited. The sign on the crest of Stratford Road was erected to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee and depicts High Street as painted by well-known Worcester artist David Birtwhistle.

Before the evening got underway, society chairman Desmond Clarke presented David Slade, chairman of the St John's Landmark Appeal, with a cheque for £5,000.

The cash is the society's contribution to the £1m appeal to repair Bromsgrove's ancient parish church. Graham Reddie, president of the society, said: "The gift of the concert to the society by the artists was totally unexpected and very generous."