A DODFORD woman was fined 40s (£2) by Birmingham Police Court for harassing a passenger on a train from Birmingham to Selly Oak.

100 years ago

July 20, 1901

A DODFORD woman was fined 40s (£2) by Birmingham Police Court for harassing a passenger on a train from Birmingham to Selly Oak. Emily Thompson, aged 30, said to fellow passenger Thomas Patsea: "If you don't give me some money I will make it hot for you." When he left the carriage, she cried out that he had stolen her purse. After her arrest, she said she had been drunk.

THE owner of a temperance hotel in the Lickey Hills was declared bankrupt. Former clerk George Stokes bought the alcohol-free establishment with a £3,500 loan from Mrs Siddons, but made a loss in the first year. The bankrupt man said he only bought the hotel at Mrs Siddons's urging and his solicitor asked the court to be sympathetic. The judge said: "He is entitled to as much sympathy as an extremely foolish man."

DROITWICH Conservatives offended by Tory MP R Martin unanimously passed a motion saying they would not support him if he was nominated again. They complained of "ungracious treatment" and "his ingratitude to the Conservatives of this constituency."

BROMSGROVE Rovers were in financial trouble and their annual meeting was postponed because of low attendance. The Messenger said even Aston Villa had trouble generating enthusiasm in summer.

50 years ago

July 21, 1951

PARISH councillors in Stoke Prior were raising a stink over sewage disposal in the village. A system of pails was to be brought in after an inspection by the medical health officer. District councillor E Gittus said there were areas worse off even than Stoke Prior. Chairman W Salcumbe said: "If conditions in some places are worse than in parts of Stoke Prior then God help those who live there."

A NEW assembly plant opened at the Austin works, in Longbridge, and a Rednal woman was presented with the ribbon. Minister of Supply G Strauss cut the ribbon to the hi-tech plant and gave it to Angelina Bayley, from Rockley Grove, who worked in the receiving and dispatch department. The new plant would produce 800 vehicles a day and was described as the finest in the world.

A BROMSGROVE man was pictured in the Messenger fighting in Korea with the 170th Independent Mortar Artillery. Just after the photo of 20-year-old Fred Ballard was taken, the commander shouted across the map table: "You've got a burnt-out village to your credit, boys." The Staple Hill man had been in Korea since November.

25 years ago

July 16, 1976

A BLACK Christmas was on the cards after Bromsgrove District Council voted to axe the festive lights to meet Government spending targets. The move would save them £2,035. Philip Southall said: "The Christian spirit lies in our hearts and not in the lights." But George Lord said the council would appear "Scrooge-like" to withdraw the popular displays in Bromsgrove and Rubery.

THE BBC feared that shoppers at a controversial Sunday market in Wychbold would be able to spy on their TV transmitter in a nearby field. Dodderhill parish councillors said the market created traffic chaos, noise and rubbish. Chairman William Tatlow said: "The BBC is very concerned about security."

NEARLY half of Charford residents did not know what social services were for or where to find them in Bromsgrove, according to a survey. They commonly confused the work of social services with social security. The report was carried out by six social workers. They recommended an "eye-catching" publicity campaign.