THE living of Hanbury had been offered and accepted by the Rev Reginald Harvey of Bristol. The living was the gift of Sir Harry Vernon, Bart. of Hanbury Hall.

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A SECOND case of smallpox had been reported in Droitwich. The victim was a tramp who had been employed whitewashing walls in the workhouse. The three-year-old child who had been diagnosed with the disease last week was now recovering. This had come at an unfortunate time for the Spa it was felt, just at the beginning of the Brine Baths season and visitors could be put off from coming. The authorities, playing down the dangers, said many towns had sporadic outbreaks but in London an epidemic was raging.

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THE Vicar of Bromsgrove, the Rev E Vine Hall, had accepted an invitation to sing in the choir at Westminster Abbey at the forthcoming Coronation service.

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MARY Ward, of Catshill, pleaded guilty at Bromsgrove Petty Sessions to stealing 1/- (5p) worth of meat from the shop of village butcher Charles Wilson while his back was turned. Riddled with guilt she had later returned to confess to him. Magistrates took this into account but still fined her £1, the equivalent of half the average weekly wage of a Bromsgrove nailer and made her promise not to steal again.

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PREPARATIONS for celebrations to mark the Coronation in villages around Bromsgrove were now mostly complete. At Belbroughton male parishioners aged 60 and over were to be given a free dinner but others who were younger would have to pay 1/- (5p).