THE sitting Member of Parliament for East Worcestershire was returned to the House of Commons after standing unopposed.

100 years ago

October 6, 1900

THE sitting Member of Parliament for East Worcestershire was returned to the House of Commons after standing unopposed. Austen Chamberlain, of the Liberal Unionist party, had to wait two hours at Bromsgrove Town Hall, according to parliamentary rules, to see if anyone opposed him or objected.

A MAN whose wife died while travelling through Droitwich Spa had the 5s (25p) found on her body returned to him. He was also given a good meal and his fare back to Birmingham by the town's guardians. They also agreed to pay for the burial of his wife who had fallen on the platform at the railway station and died from her injuries.

FREDERICK Mitchell, from Bournheath, was fined 2s 6d (12.5p) and 5s 6d (28.5p) costs for drunkenness by Bromsgrove magistrates. He was found drunk and tumbling down by PC Bull, in Stourbridge Road, Catshill.

JOSIAH Dyers, from Sidemoor, was sentenced to seven days imprisonment for not sending his daughter to school by Bromsgrove magistrates. The Attendance Officer said she had not turned up for months. The magistrates had originally ordered a fine of 5s, (25p) but Mrs Dyers, appearing on her husband's behalf, said he would not pay.

TRAMPS William Hill and James Sinnier were sentenced to seven days hard labour for refusing to work. Workhouse labour master Charles Edwards said they would not perform their allotted tasks.

PRIVATE W Dyers, who was reported dead from dysentery in Bloemfontein on May 28, was found to be alive and well. Private Dyers, whose parents lived in Stourbridge Street, was fighting for the 2nd Worcestershire Regiment in the Boer War.

50 years ago

October 7, 1950

A NEW vicar with an exotic past was welcomed at All Saint's Church, Bromsgrove. Rev Samuel Harry Morris had spent seven years in Central Africa working as a missionary. Wolverhampton-born Mr Morris had previously been vicar at St Stephen's, in Willenhall.

A YOUNG Rednal boy died after falling 40ft into a quarry in Leach Green Lane, Rubery. Four-year-old David Goodman had fallen after playing on nearby ground which was used by children for football and other games. He was taken to Selly Oak Hospital where he died from a fractured skull.

Birmingham coroner, Dr W H Davison, condemned the "cockeyed legislation" that meant the quarry had to be protected when in use but not when there was no one around to give warnings.

DROITWICH Spa Town Council considered proposals to put a stop to the "constant accidents" occurring at the junction of High Street and the main road. Mrs J L Hatchett said a stop sign was needed to control the traffic which sometimes travelled at 40 or 50mph.

On Saturday night another car had collided with the pelican crossing beacon. Rev Gideon Davis suggested a 10 or 20mph speed limit through the town centre.

BROMSGROVE Technical School was hailed a success by the town's urban council. Principal Michael Ross thanked his enthusiastic supporters in the town and promised more expansion. He hoped to train 1,000 boys by Christmas. Vice-chairman Mr W Howarth praised the principal's "faith in youth."

25 years ago

October 3, 1975

A ROW between Bromsgrove and Whitehall flared up as the Transport Minister was accused of dithering and leaving the town strangled by traffic.

After the M5 was closed when a worker died, the town became blocked by nose-to-tail traffic. Bromsgrove District Council highways and planning committee chairman Walter Ragatt said the minister should not leave the eastern bypass scheme tied up in red tape and should decide straight away.

BROMSGROVE District Council was criticised for a huge rise in the charge for burying cremated remains. Cllr Trevor Porter complained the council had hiked the price from 50p to £6.50. Cllr Cathy Mole said that in these days of land shortage the council should be encouraging cremation.

UPSET Bromsgrove and Redditch MP Hal Miller was forced to sell his home because his parliamentary salary was not enough. He said he was "most unhappy" to be selling the £37,000 six-bedroom, two-bathroom property near Redditch. He was also selling his house in Chelsea.