February 17, 1900

100 years ago

February 17, 1900

CECIL Harmsworth, mid-Worcestershire's Liberal candidate in the forthcoming General Election, spoke to supporters at a rally in Aston Fields, Bromsgrove. He was introduced to his audience as a gentleman who, if elected, would not forget the constituency.

BROMSGROVE Council was hoping neighbouring authorities and outlying villages would chip in towards the cost of buying a steam fire engine as had happened elsewhere in the county. Councillors reasoned that as residents living on the outskirts of the town automatically turned to Bromsgrove's firemen for help it was in their interests to help buy a modern appliance. Councillors were also to decide whether to buy a steam roller to repair district roads.

DESPITE the wintry weather, it took just nine minutes for 14 of Bromsgrove's complement of 16 firemen to turn out to a blazing hayrick in Well Lane. A few willing helpers braved the elements to pump water from a nearby stream. The blaze, said to be the work of arsonists, was the fifth at the same spot in the last nine months.

SARA Collins, a domestic servant living in High Street, Droitwich Spa, successfully brought a breach of promise action against Walsall brewer George Thomas, at the Sheriff's Court, in Birmingham. Thomas's promise to marry her had been sealed with a ring and a kiss.

His promise of marriage led to him seducing her which resulted in her having a baby. The jury was told that at the age of 32, and with a child, the prospect of marriage now seemed remote. She was awarded damages of £50.

BROMSGROVE had just experienced its worst influenza epidemic since January 1892 when 55 people died. The latest outbreak had started in December and ended abruptly in mid-January. There had been 43 deaths, 33 of them within the first two weeks.

50 years ago

February 18, 1950

AFTER two weeks of intensive campaigning, the three candidates for the new Bromsgrove constituency in the General Election were busily arranging last minute meetings before Thursday's poll. Michael Higgs was the Tory choice, Donald Chesworth was standing for Labour and Robert Hill for the Liberals. Film star Richard Attenborough, a friend of Mr Chesworth from the time they were both in the RAF, had sent him a good luck telegram.

FOR the fourth year in succession there had been no convictions for drunkenness in the area covered by Droitwich Rural District Council, the Spa's annual brewster sessions heard. With a population of 4,113, it had 117 licensed premises.

CONTRALTO Sylvia Troth, from Melbourne Road, Sidemoor, Bromsgrove, a pupil of Madam Creese, won a prestigious singing competition in Birmingham. Her prize was a seat on the first BEAC plane shortly to fly from Birmingham to Belfast.

THIRSTY farm workers in the Bromsgrove area were hopeful of being able to get a drink in their local pubs after long hours toiling in the fields. The town's Licensed Victuallers' Association had applied to the courts asking for closing time to be put back 30 minutes to 10.30pm. This would give labourers working overtime at busy periods the chance to get a well-earned pint.

PLANS for an fun park in Lickey Road, Rednal, were considered anything but amusing by Bromsgrove's planners who were opposed to the scheme. But neighbouring Birmingham City Council was in favour saying the many day-trippers who flocked to the Lickey Hills would welcome it.

A similar scheme had been proposed and turned down in 1936.

25 years ago

February 14, 1975

MISS Alfreda Austin, of Finstall Road, Bromsgrove, the sole surviving sister of the late Lord Austin, died, aged 92.

ANGRY residents were upset at plans to build 110 houses and garages at Grayshott Close, on Cherry Orchard Estate, Sidemoor, Bromsgrove. There were also fears that land alongside Crabtree Lane was earmarked for development. They feared schools in the area would not be able to cope with an influx of new youngsters.

MEMBERS of Bromsgrove Swimming Club had a harrowing experience when they got caught up in a mob of soccer supporters while on their way to a gala in Nottingham on Saturday. Fans leaving the Derby County v Leeds Utd match believed they too were supporters and stoned their coach. Several swimmers were treated for cuts. Damage to the vehicle, supplied by Rover of Aston Fields, was put at £100.

THE hunt for the 'Black Panther' who, it was believed, had kidnapped the 17-year-old heiress Lesley Whittle had extended to the countryside around Bromsgrove. Police said he had killed three times before.

TRAFFIC congestion in Bromsgrove's High Street was the worst in the West Midlands according to Cllr Henry Webley, leader of the Labour group on Bromsgrove District Council.