REDDITCH and Bromsgrove Olympic Gymnastic Club which had the shadow of closure hanging over it had been given a new lease of life. It had been given financial backing to take over the former Church of England School in Crown Close. But the first task was to refurbished the building which had been badly vandalised since standing empty.

BROMSGROVE District Council was to vigorously oppose any move by neighbouring Redditch Borough to encompass Beoley and Alvechurch into its boundary. Bromsgrove's Cllr Margaret Taylor said such a move was nothing short of "asset stripping" by Redditch and few villagers wanted to change.

THE lack of a public meeting place prompted a call for a village hall to be built in Rubery. District councillor Nick Psirides, who was also chairman of Rubery Conservative Association, called for a public-spirited generous effort from residents. But, he warned he and fellow councillors could only help in an advisory capacity.

POLICE were investigating an unusual theft from the Forest pub at Lickey End. It appeared thieves had walked out with a table worth £40.