June 23, 1900

100 years ago

June 23, 1900

CHARLES Gibbs, aged 31, a baker by profession, appeared in the dock at the Worcester Quarter Sessions charged with stealing various items, including clothing, from his employer, Charles Taplid, of Upton Warren. The jury found him guilty and he was sentenced to six months' hard labour.

A PUBLIC meeting was held at Finstall to decide what form the victory celebrations should take when peace came in South Africa. A large committee was formed and it was agreed all children, aged under 15, in the parish should be entertained and if funds allowed all the old people as well.

PRIVATE Clissett, of the 2nd King's Royal Rifles, who had been through the siege of Ladysmith, had been invalided back to his parents' home, in Stourbridge Street, Bromsgrove. He spoke of the harsh conditions he and his comrades had been forced to endure. His Christmas dinner had consisted of a biscuit and some horseflesh. Fuel being in short supply, he was not able to boil the putrid drinking water, so he had to shut his eyes and gulp it down quickly.

LITTLE Bessie Pugh, of Albert Street, Droitwich, was hauled before Spa magistrates charged with causing 3d (1p) worth of damage to a hedge, in Chawson Lane, belonging to Mr Terry. He told magistrates he didn't want her treated harshly, but wanted an example made of her to deter others. She was ordered to pay 3d compensation plus 5s 6d (27.5p) costs.

AS Bromsgrove's annual Midsummer fair day fell on a Sunday this year, the celebrations would take place on Monday. The usual large number of visitors from the Midlands and the Black Country were expected, but it was hoped the present dismal weather would improve.

JOSEPH Crump, from Lickey End, appeared at Bromsgrove Police Court charged with stealing one and a half pints of whisky worth 4s (20p) from the town's Nag's Head pub. Magistrates committed him to the next county Quarter Sessions.

50 years ago

June 24, 1950

GEORGE Appleby, senior assistant master at Bromsgrove County High School, was to retire at the end of the summer term. A keen sportsman, he had also been an officer in the school's cadet corps until it was disbanded.

THE first official day of summer on Wednesday was one of the wettest of many rainy days this month. Half an inch had been recorded at a local waterworks pumping station.

THE principle guest at Bromsgrove School's commemoration Festival on Friday was Lord Ismay. He was military advisor to the war cabinet and his father had been an old Bromsgrovian.

BROMSGROVE Rovers held its annual general meeting at The Roebuck pub, in High Street.

After what was considered to be their best season, the activities of the club's two teams showed an overall loss of £5. 5.9. (£5.29) compared to £228 the previous year.

THE Bromsgrove Youth Organisation headquarters, in New Road, had a Royal visitor this week. The Duke of Gloucester, who was the president of the National Association of Boys' Clubs, called in as part of his tour of similar organisations in the Midlands. He was surprised by the excellent facilities and declared it was the best he had seen on his trip.

TWO electricians on the maintenance staff at John Garrington and Sons, in Aston Fields, Bromsgrove, died, it was thought, after being overcome by gas at the factory. They were Clifford Pound, aged 39, from Finstall Road, and George Broomfield, 30, from Barley Mow Lane, Catshill.

25 years ago

June 20, 1975

THE sharp rise in the number of jobless school-leavers in Bromsgrove was giving the town's education committee cause for concern. Mr Saul, headmaster at Gannow School, in Rubery, said he feared there would be a rise in vandalism as a result of young people having time on their hands. It had been suggested youth clubs in the district be asked to open during the daytime to keep youngsters off the streets.

THE BISHOP of Worcester, the Rt Rev Robin Woods, preached at Bromsgrove United Reformed Church's 303rd anniversary service on Sunday.

BROMSGROVE'S first Sports Advisory Council was formed. It would represent some 50 clubs and organisations in the district and would come under the control of Bromsgrove District Council.

ENTRIES for Catshill Music Festival's dance section on Saturday had been so large the venue had to be moved to North Bromsgrove High School.