THE former vicar of St Godwald's, Finstall in Bromsgrove, the Rev Leslie Dicker, died while on holiday in Australia. He was 64. He had been at Finstall from 1955 until his retirement three years ago.

BELBROUGHTON was suffering a living death, an inquiry heard. It was held because Bromsgrove council had refused to allow 18 new homes to be built on a breaker's yard in the village. Campaigners claimed the village was in desperate need of new blood and the number of pupils presently on the school's register was less than 30

BROMSGROVE'S first 'Leisure and Sport for All the Family' fun day in Sanders Park was a big success, despite the rather damp weather. Around 6,000 people enjoyed demonstrations by various sports organisations, as well as a skateboard display, It's a Knockout competition and folk dancing.

PREPARATIONS were well in hand for Rubery carnival which was taking place at the weekend and being opened by ATV personality Peter Tomlinson. Former Colmers Farm schoolgirl Suzanne Werrett, the carnival queen, would lead the parade of floats.

TIGHT security was in place at Garrington's factory in Bromsgrove for the visit of the Duke of Kent. He arrived by helicopter as part of whistle stop tour of several GKN factories in the Midlands area. During his stay he briefly met his former batman, Eddie Cairns, who was one of the 2,200 employees at the Aston Fields plant.