LABOURER Samuel Ellis, aged 16, pleaded guilty to maliciously setting fire to a stack of straw at Stoke Prior Farm Reformatory School. The remorseful teenager apologised to the court for trying to implicate another boy, called Faber, who was innocent. He was sentenced to three month's hard labour.

100 years ago

November 19, 1898

LABOURER Samuel Ellis, aged 16, pleaded guilty to maliciously setting fire to a stack of straw at Stoke Prior Farm Reformatory School. The remorseful teenager apologised to the court for trying to implicate another boy, called Faber, who was innocent. He was sentenced to three month's hard labour.

CATSHILL men Nehemiah Holmes and Geoffrey Ward appeared in court and were cleared of stealing 63 yards of elastic webbing belonging to the Midland Railway Company, in Northfield.

TOWNSFOLK were shocked to hear of the death of popular Bromsgrovian George William Gibson. The 77-year-old banker had been a prominent figure within the town during his life.

DROITWICH woman Ellen Bourne, of Back Lane, was charged with using obscene and vile language against her neighbour Sarah Bourne. She was fined 1s (5p) and 9s (45p) costs, or if she preferred, seven day's hard labour.

50 years ago

November 20, 1948

POLICE were investigating a number of hoax fire calls in the Bournheath and Catshill area. The latest being a caller claiming a house in Gibb Lane, Catshill, was on fire.

BROMSGROVE district education committee discussed ambitious plans for a new school at Cofton Hackett for 560 pupils.

FRUSTRATED householders were up in arms following the nuisance caused by factory smoke near Aerlec Aluminium Company's premises, at Stoke Wharf. Many residents complained they were unable to keep windows open due to the thick smoke bellowing out of the factory.

SIDEMOOR man Robert Judson and his mother-in-law, Lucy Turner, had a lucky escape after they both fell from a moving bus. Mrs Turner had stepped off the bus by mistake when it was still moving and Judson jumped off to go to her assistance. In doing so he fell heavily onto the footpath and suffered head injuries. Both were taken to Bromsgrove Cottage Hospital.

PARTS of Rednal were due to be lit up following the erection of 50 new street lights. Resident Mr Fairweather said the whole village was looking forward to the new lights.

25 years ago

November 16, 1973

BARNT Green man Charles Lea called for a tunnel to be built which would protect the environment and scenery against the proposed M42 motorway. The 1.7m long M42 tunnel, the longest in England, would go underneath the Lickey Hills. The road, expected to cost up to £60m, would start at the A38 interchange at Lydiate Ash and then form a tunnel under the hills.

A MEASLES epidemic was reported in Bromsgrove with more than five times as many sufferers as the previous year.

BROMSGROVE'S newest school, Millfields Primary School, in Swift Close, opened for lessons. Headteacher Mrs L Simmons moved staff and children to the new £90,000 block from the old premises, in Church Lane, after the recent half-term.

ANOTHER new addition to Bromsgrove were the town's new £36,000 toilets opened in Market Street, much to the relief of High Street shoppers.

CHARTERED surveyor and builder Roger Weaver became the fourth member of his family to hold the prestigious title of Bailiff of Bromsgrove Court Leet. He took over from Mr P R Amphlett.

BROMSGROVE ambulance drivers decided to delay strike action for the present time. Members of Hereford and Worcestershire Ambulance Service were due to protest against the Government's refusal to give the go-ahead for a revised pay structure.