June 9, 1900

100 years ago

June 9, 1900

THE sudden death of William Llewellyn, from Elmshurst, a Bromsgrove worthy in the true sense, saddened many townsfolk. A grocer by trade, he had been Court Leet Bailiff, a school manager, a member of the workhouse board and churchwarden at both the parish church and All Saints'. He died, aged 71, soon after arriving in Weston-Super-Mare where he usually spent the summer.

AS usual the Lickey Hills were the focus for thousands of trippers from Birmingham over the Whitsuntide holidays. They arrived in special trains at Barnt Green station. Unusually, there were no major disturbances, but one woman was the victim of a serious accident.

While attempting to cycle down the dangerous Kendall End Hill she lost control and was thrown violently to the ground.

NEWS that British troops had taken the Boer capital, Pretoria, was greeted with scenes of 'mild uproar' in Bromsgrove and Droitwich Spa.

Flags and bunting were hastily put out in the streets and in Bromsgrove a procession led by two bands, set out from Crown Close to process through the town.

At night, boys from Bromsgrove School built a large bonfire in the street opposite the Golden Cross Hotel to the delight of the huge crowd gathered in front of the Town Hall.

In Droitwich, many buildings sprouted bunting and Chinese lanterns adorned the outside of the Raven Hotel. The town band thrilled the crowds thronging the streets with patriotic music.

FOUR Sidemoor youths, Thomas Duffill, Henry Webley, Len Porter and Joseph Lammas, found themselves before Bromsgrove magistrates charged with causing 6d (2.5p) worth of damage to a hedge at Red Cross when they broke through it to play cards in a field of growing oats. The bench took a very dim view that the incident had happened on a Sunday and fined each lad 2s 6d (12.5p).

50 years ago

June 10, 1950

THE 4,200 acre Westwood estate, in Droitwich Spa was sold for an undisclosed sum to Messrs Gavin, Hugh and John Astor, sons of Col, the Hon J J Astor. The property comprised a 16th century manor house, 16 farms, 97 cottages, a smallholding and woodland.

J R HUGH Sumner handed over his former 25-roomed residence, Rashwood Court, Wychbold, as a home for distressed gentlefolk. Mr Sumner had many other benefactions to his credit.

BROMSGROVE was to get a royal visit, its first since 1945. The Duke of Gloucester was arriving in the town in ten days' time to inspect the BYO headquarters, in New Road. Five years ago, the Princess Royal had visited Barnsley Hall.

POLICE officers in Bromsgrove were seen in their new style uniforms for the first time this week, which was just as well as the temperature reached the 80 degree mark.

The old uniforms, which buttoned up to the neck and fastened by hooks, had been replaced by lighter open-necked tunics, blue shirts and black ties. Some people, however, complained officers had now lost their former 'official' appearance.

TV VIEWERS in the Witton area of Droitwich Spa were experiencing 'snowy' images on their screens. It was being caused by transmitters at the War Office wireless station which broadcasted worldwide 24 hours a day.

25 years ago

June 6, 1975

LONG-STAY patients at Barnsley Hall Mental Hospital, in Bromsgrove, could now benefit from a clothes and footwear shop which had opened in a part of the building. It was said it would be beneficial to their recovery by giving them choice and encouraging then to be smartly dressed.

A LARGE crowd turned out to greet the Duke of Edinburgh when he arrived by helicopter at Bromsgrove's BYO Ground, in New Road. He was in the county to see activities carried out in connection with his award scheme.

A LAY-BY on the new Bromsgrove to Redditch highway was said to pose a security risk for Finstall village post office just 50 yards away.

The post master was also complaining that lorry drivers parked there while using his back garden as a toilet.

VILLAGE Farm, at Upton Warren, was sold by auction at the Raven Hotel, Droitwich Spa, for £39,000. It comprised a Georgian house, a range of outbuildings and just over 14 acres of land near the M5 motorway.

THE end of the Malvern to Rednal stage of the Milk Race saw a large crowd gather to see the riders cross the line. They were greeted by Birmingham's Lady Mayoress, Gladys Jackson.