THE winter show of Bromsgrove Chrysanthemum Society was held at the Parish Church Hall. There were 372 blooms to show from 19 growers. The display included 114 vases of blooms, whereas at a previous event there had only been 78.

BROMSGROVE Town Band was invited to play on the promenade at Rhyl next summer, an honour which had never come its way before in the 80 odd years since the band had been formed. At the band's annual dinner the chairman, Fred Smith, made an appeal for funds to equip the players with lightweight tunics suited to hot weather. He said the heavy dress now worn could be a discomfort when the men were playing their instruments for two hours without a pause.

THE speech day at Bromsgrove High School was a very significant occasion - the 50th anniversary of the inauguration of this important feature. When it was opened the school was know as a Secondary School and Pupil Teacher's Centre and there were those among the first intake who smoked pipes of tobacco between lessons. In 1930 it changed to the County High School and then to the High School. The Messenger said that at the end of 50 years the school was looking forward to greater increased facilities. It said if the progress made there only equalled what had already been accomplished, young Bromsgrovians were very fortunate.

A SILVER jubilee party was held for Blackwell Women's Institute. A tea and birthday cake was provided for the event. The singing of a choir of old age pensioners was a special feature.