100 years ago November 9, 1901

100 years ago

November 9, 1901

A DRUNKEN sailor was found lying helplessly on a railway embankment in Barnt Green after falling from a train travelling from Hull to Bridgnorth. Bromsgrove Magistrates' Court ordered James Hobbes to pay 5s (25p) plus costs or carry out seven days' hard labour.

ENOCH Court, of Lickey End, was charged at Bromsgrove Magistrates' Court with using obscene language towards his wife in public. He was heard causing a disturbance in Birmingham Road, Marlbrook, by PC Price. He was fined 5s (25p) and 7s 6d (37.5p) costs.

TOWN council elections were held in Droitwich Spa. Voters chose four councillors from six candidates. Poll booths opened at 8am at two locations. Out of the 837 electors, 681 cast their votes.

AN employee of the salt union at the Evercroft Works, in Droit-wich Spa, suffered cuts and bruises when he fell from a ladder. Alfred Harns fell 15 feet onto rails beneath him. Doctors Jones and Fould attended to him immediately. No bones were broken but he was badly bruised.

A SIDEMOOR man was convicted for the 50th time of being drunk and disorderly. PC Howes found George Butler in Cemetery Lane and took him home. The defendant said he'd only had a drop and could still walk. He was fined 5s (25p) with 5s 6d (27.5p) costs.

EDWARD Buckley, of the Eachway, was charged at Bromsgrove Magistrates' Court with allowing a donkey to stray in Beacon Lane. The defendant claimed the donkey had only been out for half an hour and was being supervised. He was fined 1s (5p) with 5s 6d (27.5p) costs.

50 years ago

November 10, 1951

COMPLAINTS of vandalism by children and teenagers in Rubery were made at a Citizens' Association meeting. Public conveniences in New Road had been damaged, including new liquid soap dispensers. It was recommended at the meeting the lavatories should be locked at dusk to avoid trouble.

EDITOR of The Scout journal F Haydn Dimmock visited Bromsgrove. He had worked on the magazine for 33 years and was guest of honour at a dinner organised by the B P Guild of Old Scouts at the Golden Cross Hotel, in High Street. Mr Dimmock, who had been Scouting since 1909, also visited Cubs at Barnt Green.

THE Court Leet appointed a new bailiff at its autumn meeting. For the first time, the reeve from the previous year was not promoted to the position. Ex-reeve S G Challingsworth wrote a letter saying he was leaving Bromsgrove and was no longer a freeholder of the manor so he wished to retire. The Rev FG Shepherd was appointed bailiff.

25 years ago

November 5, 1976

CHARFORD people angry at high rents being paid by residents in flats on the Bromsgrove estate took their first steps to set up a tenants' association. David Clewlow was elected as chairman and was the only man on the committee of six. The first official meeting was to be held at Charford Primary School.

BROMSGROVE Trade Council and the local Chamber of Trade joined forces to launch an urgent appeal for £2,000 to cover the cost of providing the town's main street with Christmas lights. The district council could not afford to fund the seasonal decorations following drastic cuts in expenditure. A letter was submitted to The Messenger asking for financial support from residents and companies.

WORK began on repairing the rail bridge at Blackwell. British Rail expected the job to last three weeks. Explosives demolished the old arch bridge in Station Road and a temporary bridge was put in place. The line was left open although speed restrictions would be in place.

A QUICK look at the adverts showed Wilson's wine shop, in High Street, was selling Lanson's Black champagne at £3.29 per bottle.

HILL Top Hospital held a reunion for staff past and present. Matron Mrs A Mulvey organised the event and around 200 people who worked at the hospital over the last 25 years attended.

RESIDENTS on the new Horsecourse estate in Catshill called for a public meeting with Bromsgrove's district council because they were not satisfied with the authority's attitude over recent flooding. Homes in Green Lane were flooded at the end of September causing hundreds of pounds worth of damage.