FOOD rationing was finally set to end this weekend and the final meeting of the Bromsgrove control committee was held at the Council House. Tributes were paid to the 50 committee members who had carried out the government's orders during, what at times had been difficult periods, and to housewives in the district who had generally coped very well with the hardships rationing had placed on them.

VALERIE Stokes, aged 19, a shorthand typist from Catshill, was chosen from 17 other hopefuls as Redditch's new Carnival Queen.

BROMSGROVE College of Further Education hoped to build on the success its short courses had enjoyed last year by expanding them into the community. Plans were being made to hold classes at Cofton, Wychbold, Fairfield and Barnt Green for students unable to travel to Bromsgrove.

THE problems brought about by the sea of thick yellow mud which flowed over the playground at Colmers Farm Junior School when it rained was raised in the House of Commons by Northfield's MP Donald Chapman. It came from the tops of nearby World War II air raid shelters, which the government had decreed could not be touched or disturbed. However, the headteacher had raised a 1,000 name petition calling for them to be dismantled.

BELL ringers from Bromsgrove, Hanbury and Dodderhill enjoyed their annual day out, which this year saw them visit several churches in Gloucestershire. Lunch and tea was taken in Cheltenham and some time was allowed for shopping before the party set off to visit Tewkesbury Abbey.