Viv, who lived at The Broadway in Walsall, took over from Elna Phillips and was handed her chain of office at the County Hotel in Walsall. The British Heart Foundation is mentioned.

The photograph shows ouotgoing Mayor Councillor Kenneth Henwood (left) helping Alderman Allport with his chain of office, with their wives Muriel Allport and Ruth Henwood alongside.

Mr Allen was inducted as the president of the town’s Rotary Club. The photograph shows him receiving the chain of office from retiring president Mr C. J. BEddow with Mr G. A. Jevins in the centre. A later article marks his retirement from the Council.

A call was made for more women to be elected as chairs of the council, after Councillor Sylvia Sutton’s nomination of Councillor Sue Poole failed following a vote. The Democrats, Councillor Gordon Alcott, Chadsmoor, Stars News Shoops, Ann Allen, the Armen

The photograph shows Councillor Alcott getting help with his chain of office from retiring chairman Roy Bagguley. A later article relates that Councillor Alcott had undergone heart surgery at Stafford District General Hospital before being transferred to

The shire horses Bounce and Bob, owned by Mr R. Evans, were among a few still at work in the country. The photograph shows Bill Griffiths ploughing with a chain harrow.

Roy Nock of Powke Lane made chains for naval vessels, mooring and oil rig moors.

Chainmaker Laurence Harris had carried on his family’s tradition by working at the firm for 61 years, for which he was rewarded with a television set.

The photograph shows Councillor Lucy Hingley with a group of children rehearsing for the custom of ringing the anvil at the May Day parade. Frank Billingham of the Black Country Chainmakers Society is mentioned.