THE Rev J Crofts was given a cordial welcome by parishioners at All Saints Church in Bromsgrove when he was installed as the new vicar, the second in 18 months. In the congregation was his father who had been rector of Romsley from 1935-41.

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A FIVE-TON bullet proof Mercedes tourer, which had belonged to Herman Goering - Hitler's right hand man during World War II, was on show in the Drill Hall, in Bromsgrove. It had been bought by an ex-servicemen's charity to raise cash after being captured by the Allies. So far £12,000 had been raised from its tour of the country.

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BROMSGROVE'S Evergreen Scouts were to be heard on the BBC radio programme Children's Hour. Peggy Bacon, from the BBC, took a recording van to visit the lads at their headquarters at Whitford Hall to hear stories of life under canvas and tape their camp fire songs.

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THERE was a welcome return of stalls selling those traditional old favourites, brandy snaps and cocoa nuts, when Bromsgrove staged its ancient Midsummer fair. The horse fair was held in a field off Well Lane where a notable absentee was town auctioneer Arthur Chappell, who was missing from his rostrum for the first time in 50 years.

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A PARTY of 18 pupils from Colmers Farm School, Rubery, were given a warm welcome by their German hosts at the start of a three-week visit to Alfeld and Hildesheim. After a civic reception by the mayor of Alfeld and other dignitaries, the party travelled to Mariensburg where they were greeted by a Duchess, who was a relative of Queen Mary.