GEORGE Phillips, from Sidemoor, was brought in front of Bromsgrove magistrates charged with using foul language in his own home, but within earshot of the general public.

100 years ago

March 2, 1901

GEORGE Phillips, from Sidemoor, was brought in front of Bromsgrove magistrates charged with using foul language in his own home, but within earshot of the general public. In his defence, Phillips said he had lost his temper when his mother was taken to his home drunk instead of going to her own house. He was fined 2/6 (12.5p) including costs.

RECRUITMENT for the Bromsgrove volunteer company of the Worcestershire Regiment was at an all-time high. A few years ago the company numbered 70 or 80 now it boasted 170. The town had sent 14 volunteers to the war in South Africa a year ago, although only seven now remained and their whereabouts were unknown. A second detachment of Worcestershire men was about to leave these shores, among them were four volunteers from Bromsgrove.

MARKET gardeners in Bromsgrove's traditional strawberry growing areas of Dodford and Catshill could only look on with mouth-watering envy at prices forced fruit was realising. In some areas they were selling for the astonishing sum of 12/- to 14/- (60p to 70p) a pound or 9d to 1/6 an ounce (4p to 7.5p).

BLACKWELL Sanatorium showed a deficit of £39 last year, the annual meeting was told. Patient numbers continued to rise especially in the first and last four months of the year when the weather was colder. Presently, there were 1,298 patients undergoing treatment, compared to 1,271 in 1898.

BROMSGROVE was gripped by election fever in the run-up to this week's county council polls. The Messenger said such excitement was usually only reserved for parliamentary elections. The two candidates contesting the Bromsgrove division were Job Leadbetter, builder, auctioneer and valuer, from Station Street, and Robert Routh, a master at Bromsgrove School. Electors would vote at the Town Hall or the National School, in Crown Close, depending on the first letter of their surnames.

50 years ago

March 3, 1951

ast year had exceeded income by £191. The vicar, the Rev J Trimingham, calling for his flock to be more generous, said: "The threepenny bit is no longer considered to be an ecclesiastical coin."

DR Julius Beilby, son of the late Dr J Beilby, of Perry Hall, Bromsgrove, gave first aid to the injured pilot of a Wellington bomber which crashed near Bedale, in Yorkshire. The doctor was out hunting when he saw the aircraft crash some way off and he immediately responded by galloping at full speed across rough country to help.

ALDERMAN Edgar Fabricius, "Faby" to his friends, died at his home, Sunrays, a boarding house in Droitwich Spa. He was involved in the social life of the town, but it was his prowess at ball games, especially cricket, that had earned him the respect of many.

LABOUR Party membership in Bromsgrove had jumped by 50 per cent since 1950, the branch's annual meeting was told. A Constituency Federation of Labour Women had also been launched in view of renewed interest in party affairs.

A QUICK look at the Messenger's advertisement columns showed the Midland Red were running trips to the Cheltenham National Hunt Festival, from Sidemoor, at a return fare of 5/9 (29p). And the lucky girl who would be Droitwich's Festival of Britain beauty queen was being chosen at a dance at the Spa's Winter Gardens. Meanwhile, housewives could learn how to cook simnel cake and "Easter dainties" at a cookery demonstration at Bromsgrove's gas showroom.

25 years ago

February 27, 1976

BROMSGROVE Cricket Club made a profit of £200 compared with a loss of £117 in 1974, treasurer John Sanders told the annual meeting. However, it was not sufficient to prevent subscriptions having to go up. Members were told new blood was needed to strengthen the playing side especially now Alan Pidgeon had left.

AN area of land equivalent to three houses was to be set aside on which to build a community centre on the new Charford estate, in Bromsgrove. Councillors were also set to decide on the type of shops which should be built. A general store and chip shop were being considered.

BROMSGROVE and Redditch Community Health Council voted to ban smoking at its meetings to set a good example to others. But member Trevor Porter, from Bromsgrove, said he did not agree with a blanket band and suggested it should be left to the individual.