CARPENTER Dennis Grubb, of Dragoon Fields, Aston Fields, Bromsgrove, celebrated having notched up 50 years membership of the Union of Construction and Allied Trades Technicians. He had learned his trade at the Bromsgrove Guild and later worked for wood carvers Pancheri and Hack. To mark the occasion, the union presented him with life membership and a silver medal at a party held at the Dragoon Hotel.

ALFIE Workman, aged 83, a regular at the Victoria Inn, Barnt Green, had occupied the same seat since 1912 on his daily visits to enjoy a pint.

THE revised marriage service could not be introduced soon enough for the Rev Barry Gilbert, priest-in-charge at All Saints' Church in Bromsgrove. Writing in the parish magazine he said he "winced" when conducting part of the service, especially that regarding procreation, on which he claimed there was more emphasis put than on a couple's love for each other.

JUNE Pinches, aged 18, of Woodrow, Catshill, had landed a four year apprenticeship as a compositor in the mainly male-dominated printing trade with Bromsgrove printer H and S Workman. She had applied for a different job but had been persuaded to learn the craft instead.