December 8, 1900

100 years ago

December 8, 1900

THE name Housman, already distinguished in various forms of literature, had appeared again on a new volume by another member of the talented family. The Rev H Housman had recently published a new book, Ano and Other Poems.

OPINION among governors was divided on whether to introduce gardening into the curriculum at Stoke Works School. Some believed boys learned the skills from watching their fathers tend their allotments while others thought it was a good idea.

NORTH Bromsgrove District Council had set its Hackney carriage fares. They would be 1/- (5p) per mile or if exceeding that distance 1/- for the first mile then 6d (2.5p) for each half mile or part thereof.

THE latest addition to St Godwald's Church, in Bromsgrove, was a beautifully carved pulpit. It was a gift from the Misses Blick in memory of the late Dr Swinson, a Finstall centenarian who worshipped at the church for many years.

50 years ago

December 9, 1950

PAST and present pupils at Bromsgrove High School gathered in the hall on Friday to say farewell to their very own Mr Chipps, George Appleby. He had retired in August after serving 44 years as senior master. He had been the first master to join headmaster Mr Hibbin's staff after what was known as the Secondary School had amalgamated with the Art School in 1903.

THERE was good news for motorists in Droitwich Spa where the town council had designated certain roads where they could park their cars at the kerbside.

THE new vicar at All Saints' Church, in Bromsgrove, the Rev Morris said he almost wished he hadn't come to the parish such were the poor attendances at services. He said he had been warned things were bad, but he had not realised just how bad, and hinted the truth had been hidden from him when he had applied for the post. Most Sundays, only 30 people attended services.

SNOW, frost, ice and fog accounted for scores of accidents in and around Bromsgrove this week. Lucy Claydon, a postwoman, from Dodford, was nursing a broken shoulder after slipping while delivering mail at Clent.

AN articulated lorry carrying a mechanical shovel skidded on Finstall Hill, Bromsgrove, on Monday. The road was blocked for 14 hours until the vehicle could be removed.

DROITWICH Borough Council reminded Spa residents of the bylaw requiring them to keep the frontages of their premises free of snow.

25 years ago

December 5, 1975

A NEW chairman's badge of office was presented to Bromsgrove District Council by Mr Baldrey, the chairman of Garringtons, who had a factory in Aston Fields. Presenting the gift, he said the firm, one of the district's largest employers, had always had a "soft spot" for Bromsgrove. Chairman Cllr Henry Chattin said he was honoured to be the first person to wear it.

THE approach into Bromsgrove along Worcester Road was said to be an eyesore and likely to give visitors a false impressions of the town. Next year, the district council proposed to set up a study group to see what improvements could be made.

ONLY emergency cases were being admitted to Bromsgrove General Hospital where junior doctors were involved in an overtime dispute. Casualty patients were being treated by town GPs.

JACK Jones, general secretary of the Transport and General Workers, Union would be the guest speaker at the Nye Bevan Memorial Lecture to be given to members of Bromsgrove and Redditch Constituency Labour Party, at Redditch College of Further Education.

THERE were calls for traffic lights to be installed at both ends of Finstall in an attempt to make the village a safer place to live. Stoke Prior parish council, which covered the village, was not happy about plans to increase the present 30mph limit to a 40mph limit in Finstall Road.

ST Michael's Church, Stoke Prior, had undergone a £3,500 facelift to help it withstand the rigours of the English weather. At one stage it had been thought it would be cheaper to demolish the spire, but that would have cost almost as much as repairing it.