THE parents of Pt William Dyers, who lived in Stourbridge Road, Bromsgrove, learned this week of his death from dysentery while serving with the 2nd Worcesters fighting the Boers in Bloemfontein.

100 years ago

June 2, 1900

THE parents of Pt William Dyers, who lived in Stourbridge Road, Bromsgrove, learned this week of his death from dysentery while serving with the 2nd Worcesters fighting the Boers in Bloemfontein. In a recent letter home he told how he had been at the side of Pt Lammas, from Sidemoor, when he was killed at Rensberg and how he had seen Pt Wheeler, from Stourbridge Road, meet his end.

ST Chad's school, in Rubery, had been forced to close until after Whitsuntide due to an outbreak of measles.

AN auction was held at the Golden Cross Hotel, in Bromsgrove, of plots of land fronting College Road and Stoney Hill. Prices ranged from 1s 3d (6p) to 2s 6d (12.5p) a square yard.

RESIDENTS in Aston Fields would still have to find ways of disposing of their own rubbish after a plea to Bromsgrove Rural Council to be included in its collection service was turned down. Councillors said it would place an unfair burden on other ratepayers in country areas who did not enjoy such a service. The Messenger remarked that development of the little rural community surrounding the railway station might compel a union with Bromsgrove in years to come.

HARRY Farley, aged 26, a groom at Bentley Manor, was recovering in Bromsgrove Cottage Hospital after being kicked in the face by a horse. He was said to be "going on nicely."

COST conscious guardians at Droitwich workhouse had persuaded the matron to learn to play the harmonium. It would save them the cost of employing someone to play at services. Mr Guise had agreed to teach her and play on Sundays for three months until she got the hang of it for a fee of 30s. (£1.50p).

50 years ago

June 3, 1950

BROMSGROVE was about to get its very first one-way street. A plan had been proposed which would allow traffic to merge from Market Street into Stourbridge Road but not to enter it. The proposal was part of a plan for buses to park on Market Street car park and ultimately re-site The Queen's Head pub.

RESIDENTS in Bromsgrove and Droitwich Spa had two pleasurable surprises over the Whitsuntide weekend. On Friday news came over the wireless that petrol would no longer be rationed and the chilly storms that had dominated the week gave way to warm sunshine. Petrol was now three times the price it had been before rationing began in 1939, but many motorists thought it a small price to pay in order to say to an attendant once again "fill it up."

ERIC Pillon, who operated coach services from Bromsgrove and Droitwich Spa, had a plan to run regular trips to Paris turned down because of opposition from, among others, the railways board and Midland Red buses. The cost of a return ticket, to include a courier to assist passengers with port formalities, first class boat travel and an overnight stay in an hotel would have cost passengers £10 10s (£10.50p) a head.

SPEEDY cycle road racer Nancy Lamb, from Bromsgrove, clipped almost 13 minutes off the record when she rode from Droitwich Spa to Tewkesbury and back, a distance of 44 miles, in 2hrs 2mins 6secs at the weekend. Her feat was even more remarkable because it was achieved in the teeth of a gale.

PIGS for auction in Bromsgrove cattle market could enjoy a relatively short spell of comfort from now on. A new asbestos roof had been built over the pens to protect the animal from the rain and sun.

25 years ago

May 30, 1975

A ROW was brewing between Bromsgrove District Council and the Redditch authority over the siting of the new general hospital. Bromsgrove councillors had accused Redditch of "big brother" tactics and of using Bromsgrove's own statistics in the preparation of their case for the hospital to be built in the borough. It was thought the issue might have to be settled by the government ombudsman.

RESIDENTS living near Bromsgrove's Unionist Club, in Kidderminster Road, were up in arms over plans by the local Tory association to build a single-storey office suite at the back of the premises. They claimed their view of the trees would be spoiled.

A NEW 'one-stop' information centre opened in Worcester Road, Bromsgrove. In future residents could get advice on such diverse matters as rent rebates and marriage problems six days a week all under one roof.

TEA lady Irene Owen was chosen to press the button to blow up an 180ft tall chimney at the former Stoke salt works. The redundant site had been acquired by Birmingham firm Canberra Developments from ICI last year.

AFTER putting in creditable bowling and fielding performances Bromsgrove School's poor batting let them down in their match against the MCC. The school lost by 67 runs.