A ten-year-old collie dog called Dusty got into a spot of bother when he got wedged 10ft down behind a 14ft wall in his garden. Bromsgrove firefighters were called and intrepid fireman Dave Craig climbed down and pulled Dusty out. Looking a little dustier than before, the collie was pulled out two hours later to be reunited with his grateful owners John and Janet Cave, of Warren Lane, Rednal.

Garringtons received a Queen's award for technological achievement. The award went to the powder forging division. The new powder forging technique was the result of a decade of research and development in Bromsgrove.

The smallest computer in the world arrived in Bromsgrove. It was manufactured by Tandy, in America, and retailed for about £500. It came complete with a keyboard, video display and cassette player and could be used for almost anything, including games.

The bells at St John's Church, which had for sometime been silent due to a shortage of ringers, would soon be heard again, it was hoped. Ringers from the Worcestershire and District Ringing Association, which was formed at the church in 1882, were meeting to discuss the revival of bell ringing for the Sunday services.