THE sad news, less than two days before it was set to take place, that the Coronation would have to be postponed because of the King's grave illness was met with disbelief in Bromsgrove at first. Organisers of the many celebratory events in the town and surrounding villages hastily met to make alternative arrangements. In most cases it was decided to go ahead with planned teas and lunches for the old and young but to postpone other events. Bunting and other forms of decoration would be scaled down until more details of the illness were known. The Messenger kept residents informed about the King's condition by posting regular bulletins from Buckingham Palace in its office windows.

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IN Droitwich the gravity of the situation, led to all coronation events being postponed and all flags and bunting removed from view. But all was not lost. Because of the hot weather the beasts which were to have been slaughtered for the feasting had not yet been slaughtered and had won a short reprieve. However, the 700 pounds of cake would be distributed to schoolchildren in the Spa and the hundreds of plum puddings put in cold storage until a later date.

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A SERIOUS accident befell Frederick Wheeler, aged 18, from Crab Tree Lane, Sidemoor. While enjoying a ride in a boat on a steam driven merry-go-round at Bromsgrove's annual Midsummer pleasure fair in Market Street, his hat blew off, and while attempting to retrieve it, he was struck forcibly behind the ear by a following boat. He was taken to the Cottage Hospital where he was treated by Dr Coaker for concussion.

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SAMUEL Middleton knew his fate when the judge at the County Assizes donned the black cap before sentencing him to death for murdering his wife Hannah whose charred remains had been found in their cottage at Foxlydiate. Middleton, aged 46, a hay trusser, had pleaded guilty to the crime.