June 29, 1901

100 years ago

June 29, 1901

HANNAH Guise, of Lloyds Yard, Worcester Street, Bromsgrove, appeared before town magistrates charged with using foul language in her own home to the annoyance of her neighbours. Magistrates heard she had yet to pay a fine for a similar offence and ordered her to pay 1/- (5p) with 7/6 (37.5p) costs or, in default, she would be jailed for seven days.

BROMSGROVE'S ancient Coach and Horses Inn once again experienced the noise and bustle which had been prevalent during its heyday as a coaching inn. The occasion was a sale of horses brought in by farmers from far and wide who hoped to sell them to the military. Small animals were knocked down for £26, larger ones for £43.

BROMSGROVE'S annual midsummer fair, in Market Street, continued to attract the usual large number of visitors from the Black Country and farther afield making Monday's attendance one of the largest on record. But some popular attractions including the world's fattest lady were missing this year. However, the purveyors of ices, strawberries, hot potatoes and plates of sausages and peas all did a brisk trade.

TOURISM in Bromsgrove was beginning to take off. For the first time an excursion train from Birmingham brought visitors to Stoke Works for a day trip to Dodderhill Common.

THE guardians at Droitwich Spa workhouse asked the borough council to supply them with harder rocks for tramps to break in return for a night's board and breakfast. The authority said no.

50 years ago

June 30, 1951

THE Messenger remarked on the sharp increase in the cost of rides at Bromsgrove's midsummer fair. Last year a ride on the midgets -- small wooden horses, cars and boats -- had cost 3d (1p) but this year the cost had doubled to 6d (2.5p). This year was also noticeable for the absence of a freak show, but there was a circus.

BROMSGROVE'S ambulance would not be equipped with a radio. The present system was said to be working well and the additional cost of installing sets in the vehicles, equipping a transmitting station and taking on extra staff could not be justified.

ANGRY parents and children met at Stoke Works School to protest at a decision by the managers to stop a youth club meeting there. Matters had come to a head when the club's paid warden was dismissed. There had been accusations of damage being caused.

AN exhibition of valuable church artefacts went on show at Hanbury rectory. It included pictures and a rare copy of an account of the Gunpowder Plot printed in 1676. On show too was a parish register in Latin for the period 1577 to 1715.

CATSHILL silver band delighted large audiences during concerts on the village recreation ground and at Rubery. It was the first time the bandsmen had worn their new uniforms of navy blue, piped with red, and military style caps.

25 years ago

June 25, 1976

RETIRED bus driver Bill Day, from Orchard Road, Bromsgrove, had a shock when wealthy American banker Vince Bellew, who was on holiday in the town, stopped him to ask directions to his former base at All Saints, now the General Hospital. The pair had been firm friends when Vince, a GI, was stationed in the town before the D-Day landings. Bill had tried to contact his old friend after the landings but gave up fearing he had died on the Normandy beaches. Now, after 32 years, the pair vowed to keep in touch.

A COMPETITION to find the new Miss Hospital 1976 had proved very popular. So far 70 entrants from hospitals around the district had signed up to take part in the event which carried a first prize of £100.

MAGIC spongeman Maurice Dean, Bromsgrove Rovers' loyal and dedicated trainer for the past 25 years, was presented with numerous gifts at a farewell evening held at the club. They included a silver ice bucket, silver goblets, a cigarette lighter and cigars.

CHRIS Tarrant, of ATV's Tiswas, was to open a Town and Country Fair organised by Bromsgrove Round Table at Slideslow Farm. Members had set themselves a target to raise £1,000 to buy a junior iron lung for Bromsgrove General Hospital.