BROMSGROVE was leading Britain as international hockey star Ian Taylor proudly carried the Union flag at the Olympic opening ceremony.

Billions of television viewers worldwide saw Ian, of Stoke Heath, lead the national team into a packed stadium in Seoul.

Also watching were Ian's family, wife Julie, and mum and dad Frieda and Leslie Taylor.

Julie said: “It all came as a complete surprise to us. I thought that one of the big names would carry the flag.”

 FUNDRAISERS with time on their hands had launched a public appeal to help buy a town clock.

A civic reception at Bromsgrove council house was set to get the campaign to raise £8,000 underway, and a whole series of events were planned to help gather the money.

Bromsgrove Clockwatch Committee was the driving force behind plans to put up a clock featuring a moving figure of a nailmaker in the High Street outside Boots.

 DROITWICH civic leaders were hoping for an improved train service for the Spa.

Civic Society chairman Wilf Ridgewell said he understood there was a chance of a new shuttle service between Worcester and Barnt Green via Bromsgrove and Droitwich, beginning the following May.

British Rail spokesman Keith Lumley said no definite changes had been agreed yet, but the new shuttle service was being considered by transport officials.

 Memory Lane is compiled from the papers dating back to the Messenger's first edition in 1860. The papers are free to view at Bromsgrove Library, in Stratford Road.

For more information call the library on 01905 822722.