AN extensive area of undergrowth, including some young trees, were destroyed in a blaze which swept over Gorse Hill on the Lickeys. Two labourers, Mark Warman, from Catshill, and George Ballard, 21, from Staple Hill, were arrested in connection with the incident and were in jail awaiting trial at the next assizes. The damage had been estimated at between £5 and £6.

WORKERS employed by builder George Law, who were putting the finishing touches to the new reservoir at Chadwich, were treated to a capital dinner by their employer at the new Rose and Crown Hotel in Rubery. Stone for the reservoir had been hewn from Rubery Quarries. The evening concluded with the singing of the National Anthem.

PLANS were being made to bring some festive cheer to the inmates at Bromsgrove Workhouse. The ruling guardians had agreed to extra fare, snuff and beer rations and to the spending of £1 to buy a tree for the pauper children.

THE annual two-day sale of work held at the National Schools in Crown Close was traditionally one of the parish church's main fundraising events. The first day was a huge success when £70 was raised.

BROMSGROVE was one of the few towns which still tolled a curfew bell, the Messenger observed - a tradition which went back to the Conquest. However, while the 8pm bell was sounded the one at 4am was now discontinued.