March 10, 1900

100 years ago

March 10, 1900

FREDERICK Rutter, of Bournheath, was charged on a warrant for being in arrears for £1 4s 6d (£1.22.5p) in regard to an order made by the bench calling on him to pay 3s 6d (17.5p) a week towards the support of a child of Amelia Griffin. The defendant said he had paid 14s (70p) out of 24s 6d (£1.22.5p) and only owed for three weeks which he would pay as soon as he got work. He was ordered to pay 10s 6d (52.5p) within a fortnight or otherwise he would face 14 days in prison.

BROMSGROVE residents were urged to sell their old or disused false teeth. Messers RD and JB Fraser, of Ipswich, bought false teeth and people were told if they sent theirs to them they would receive money by return of post.

HENRY Bedford, of Hanover Street, was charged with being drunk in High Street. PC Underwood told Bromsgrove Petty Sessions that at about 8.50pm he saw the defendant very drunk and he fell down by the town hall. The defendant, who had a record of previous convictions, was fined 10s (50p) and 5s 6d costs (27.5p).

STOKE Prior Cricket Club held its annual meeting at the Boat Inn. Howard Dickinson was voted to the chair. It was decided to offer a bat for the best batting average in the second eleven to encourage younger members of the club to take more interest in the game.

50 years ago

March 11, 1950

COFTON Hackett ratepayers filled Rednal Gospel Mission Room when they flocked to protest about the proposal to establish a fairground between the tram terminus and Beech Tree Farm -- close to the junction of Lickey Road and Groveley Lane. The residents passed a unanimous resolution objecting to the second pleasure park on the slopes of the Lickey hills. During the evening it was said Birmingham City Council was now in support of Bromsgrove Rural District Council's refusal to grant permission. A petition had also been circulated around the parish and the parish council had done all it could to oppose the proposal.

BROMSGROVE man Henry Partridge, of Stourbridge Road, who was employed as a works policeman by Austin Motor Company, Longbridge, was commended by the Birmingham Stipendiary for his pluckiness. Partridge had detained a van driver at the works but the man drove away. Partridge jumped on the running board of the van and despite efforts by the driver to shake him off remained there until the vehicle was stopped by police in Harborne, several miles away. The driver, from Blackpool, admitted stealing an axe, two springs and a car wheel and tyre from the company. He was sentenced to one month in prison.

25 years ago

March 7, 1975

DAVID Hewston, aged 30, received a diploma for being one of the eight finalists in the producer section of the European Egg Marketing Competition in 1974. At Bumble Hole Farm, Fockbury, Mr Hewston had built up a business with 35,000 laying hens producing about 25,000 eggs a day. At the marketing award at the Savoy Hotel, London, he was complimented on his presentation which stressed the importance of high quality eggs, efficient production and close personal contact with his outlets.

TORY MP Hal Miller 'disgusted' an anti-blood sport campaigner by disputing claims that hare-coursing was cruel. In refusing to support a call for an end to the sport he said he was informed the death was usually instantaneous from the first stroke. Redditch resident Dave Smith had written to Mr Miller asking for support. He said he was disgusted at the letter and felt there was a certain amount of cruelty involved in hares being chased, whether they were killed or not.

GREEN-FINGERED Rose Bird grew an 8ft cabbage. The massive plant stood in her garden, in Salwarpe Road, Charford, like a beanstalk. Miss Bird picked up the plant the summer before when she was out walking. It had been dropped by someone carrying a bundle of plants. Seventy-seven-year-old Miss Bird said the cabbage began sprouting up and it became evident it would become a giant.