BROMSGROVE was to have comedies and tragedies to look forward to as a theatrical licence was granted for Viola Jennings to stage plays in a temporary building in Crown Close for two months from October 1. Chairman of the magistrates' bench, Mr Hobson, said Miss Jenning's theatre had been coming to Bromsgrove for 50 years and its conduct had always been of the highest character.

TWO boys appeared at Bromsgrove petty sessions charged with damaging a fruit tree. William Wilkes, aged 11, of Catshill, and George Brighton, aged 11, of Staple Hill, were charged with throwing stones at a pear tree and damaging fruit worth 2s (10p), at Burcot Farm. Police constable Viceridge saw the boys throwing the stones but as he went towards them they ran away. Mr Taylor said: "Since the Lickey End schools had reopened he had been much bothered by children who come in droves and damaged the fruit trees." He had no desire to be hard on the lads but said they must be made an example of. The bench fined the defendants 1s(5p) and 5s(25p) costs each and the chairman advised the parents to give them a good 'licking' to keep them in order in the future.

Crane and Sons hygienic steam bakery in Bromsgrove were celebrating their top position in the baking world after having been awarded first place for white bread in the national awards. The well-known bakers were also given a diploma of honour for their tasty loaves.

BROMSGROVE Rovers held their annual meeting at the Roebuck Inn. They reflected on their poor performance over the last season in which they played 26 league matches, winning four, losing 16 and drawing six. The team was playing in the Birmingham Junior league, which Councillor Leadbetter described as a 'severe' league to compete in. However he said things were looking up because they had bought several players who he hoped would be of good service. One issue causing concern to the committee was the bad language used by supporters particularly when the Rovers were losing. Mr Weston admitted that when the ball missed the net he, himself, used terms that were not parliamentary but that there was a difference between that and the language used by one or two of the supporters.

THE local gossip column in the Messenger reported that this year's harvest was considerably better than last year's. In 1903 acres of crops had been damaged by almost daily torrential storms which caused havoc for farmers. This year the weather had been so fine the harvestmen would have nothing to do in another week.