JOAN Breakwell's 30 year dream came true when radio star 'cheeky' Charlie Chester, through his column in the Daily Star newspaper, reunited her with her brother who she had last seen way back in 1951. The siblings had lost track of each other after being evacuated from their home in London during the war. It transpired that Joan, from Flavell Road, Charford, lived only 30 miles from her brother, who had made his home in Ledbury, Herefordshire.

THE lack of suitable premises in Bromsgrove in which to stage plays and concerts had been solved albeit only on a temporary basis. Nick Earle, the headmaster at Bromsgrove School, had generously offered the use of Routh Hall for use by local arts groups. Bromsgrove Methodists were to be the first to use the facility with their production of Pirates of Penzance.

THERE was criticism that Bromsgrove had more than its fair share of building societies after it was revealed that The Anglia was about to open a branch in High Street. It would be the street's 11th building society.

THE heroes of the silver screen were set to return to Bromsgrove. Despite several previous failures to bring cinema back to the town an enterprising Stourbridge businessman planned to stage film shows at the Dolphin Suite until December.