JEAN Alexander, the actress who achieved nationwide fame for her role as Hilda Ogden in Coronation Street, was at Bromsgrove’s Grafton Manor Hotel where she spent three days filming for an episode of the Central Television series Boon, her first television work since leaving Coronation Street. Hotel owner John Morris wouldn’t discuss what her favourite food was, but he said: “She just had the normal Grafton Manor menu and enjoyed it immensely. She didn’t expect extra special treatment.”

A FORMER pupil of Bromsgrove County High School, now Parkside Middle School, was being commended for his part in rescuing a Korean crew after an Iranian attack in the Gulf.Royal Navy helicopter pilot Lieutenant Keith Bayliss, aged 32, was a helicopter pilot on board the British warship HMS Scylla when a Mayday call was received from a Korean frei-ghter under attack by Iranian gunboats. He rescued all 20 members of the freighter’s crew.

TRADERS in Barnt Green were planning a vigorous campaign against proposals to extend Birmingham’s boundaries which they said would ruin their village’s shopping centre. Secretary of Barnt Green chamber of trade Brian Williams, who owned the Savoir Faire clothes shop in the High Street, warned that high rates levied by Birmingham City Council could lead to a run down of small shops.