THOMAS Monkton, a boy living in Worcester Street, was brought before Bromsgrove magistrates charged with using a catapult in the road near his home. He was fined 2/6 (12.5p) including costs.

100 years ago

March 23, 1901

THOMAS Monkton, a boy living in Worcester Street, was brought before Bromsgrove magistrates charged with using a catapult in the road near his home. He was fined 2/6 (12.5p) including costs.

THERE had been a sharp decrease in the number of tramps seeking relief at Bromsgrove workhouse. It was unclear why, but the ruling guardians believed it was because vagrants were now compelled to do an allotted task in return for a night's lodgings. Able-bodied paupers were currently required to break 13 hundredweight of stones, chop wood or do a stint on the institution's farm.

THE experimental garden at Droitwich Spa, run by Worcestershire County Council, published its fifth annual report which revealed crop yields had improved on the previous year. Presently, the garden had 76 varieties of apples, 47 of plums, 35 pears plus numerous soft fruits. The council also had similar gardens at Aston Fields, in Bromsgrove, and elsewhere in the county.

BROMSGROVE auctioneers Cotton and Chappell held a successful sale of properties and shares at the town's Bell Inn. A block of business premises in The Crescent, at the top of High Street, went for £474 and two new brick cottages at Lowes Hill were knocked down for £385. One hundred shares in the Bromsgrove Messenger Company realised £57 to £60 each.

A SCHEME to construct a light railway from Bromsgrove's train station, at Aston Fields, to Lickey End was given the green light by the authorities. The company which would run the railway would lay the rails, build all necessary buildings and generate the electric power. However, the conditions stipulated it could, if it wished, use conventional horsepower to haul the railcars.

50 years ago

March 24, 1951

MEMBERS of Burcot Village Hall planted ornamental trees in the grounds to mark the Festival of Britain. One, a Catalpa or Indian Bean, had large exotic blooms.

THOUSANDS of car owners in Bromsgrove and Droitwich Spa were expected to take to the roads this week at the start of the first Easter holidays since 1930 when petrol rationing would not be in force.

QUICK-THINKING James Fletcher used a rope and pulley to rescue Birmingham boy Patrick Hollis, aged 14, when he fell into the quarry in Cofton Park. Mr Fletcher, from Barnt Green Road, spotted the boy tumbling in while attempting to retrieve his shopping bag. Fortunately, a ledge prevented him plunging 40ft to the bottom.

A ROW was brewing in Stoke Prior over a plan to convert Field View House, in Brickhouse Lane, into a hostel for boys leaving the Grove Children's Home, in Bromsgrove. Villagers, many of whom were desperate for a roof over their heads, said their needs should come first.

25 years ago

March 19, 1976

FEARS that a hot summer would lead to a water crisis for folk living in north Bromsgrove who depended on the land for a living were expressed at a meeting between farmers, growers, the town's MP, Hal Miller, and water authority officials. It appeared the water table flanking Battlefield Brook had fallen dramatically due to three dry winters and over extraction.

THE long-running controversy surrounding the new hospital to serve Bromsgrove and Redditch took another twist when it was revealed this week there might be a ten-year delay in it being built.

UPROAR from the public benches brought a meeting of Bromsgrove District Council to an abrupt halt. Chairman Henry Chattin adjourned proceedings to let people cool down during a debate on alleged time wasting over re-letting council houses.