NORTH Bromsgrove Urban District Council received a report from the medical officer of health, Dr Cameron Kidd, about the town's very own modern Robinson Crusoe.

It said that Dr Kidd had inspected the Woodcote-based hut of pedlar Clark, who lived in a tent-like house with wooden flooring and a tarpaulin covered roof.

100 years ago

February 11, 1899

NORTH Bromsgrove Urban District Council received a report from the medical officer of health, Dr Cameron Kidd, about the town's very own modern Robinson Crusoe.

It said that Dr Kidd had inspected the Woodcote-based hut of pedlar Clark, who lived in a tent-like house with wooden flooring and a tarpaulin covered roof.

He stated that it was well warmed by a stove and that Clark had been living a sort of Robinson Crusoe existence for more than three years. It was not interfering with nearby neighbours, he concluded, and therefore saw no reason to intervene.

BROMSGROVE School Board Elections were being contested with great keenness, as usual. Public meetings and numerous other methods of kindling public enthusiasm had been resorted to by both sides. The Messenger reported how the electors of Bromsgrove and North Bromsgrove were ready and willing, as ever, to exercise their voting power.

INMATES of the Bromsgrove Workhouse were treated to an annual tea and entertainment by Miss Taylor, of Blackwell, and Mrs Frank Smith. More than 180 people enjoyed a tea of bread with butter and jam and two kinds of cake. The inmates also enjoyed a magic lantern show.

A HEAVY storm of rain and hail, accompanied by lightning, passed over Belbroughton. Most of the residents were woken by the noise of the hurricane which threatened to force in windows. Further heavy rain fell during the day and the brooks became surging torrents. Damage was done in several places.

50 years ago

February 12, 1949

ROUND 70 members of staff from the Central Naval Armaments Depot, at Cofton Hackett, and a dozen children, enjoyed a party held at the village hall, West Heath. There was a festive tea, after which novelties were distributed and the fun continued for more than five hours with games and dancing. At the close they all sang ''Auld Lang Syne'' and ''For They Are Jolly Good Fellows'' in honour of the organisers.

A ROMANCE which began between a Bromsgrove soldier and a German girl when he was serving with the Rhine Army, culminated in their marriage at All Saints Church, Bromsgrove. Former Austin works employee Arthur Faulkner, only son of Mr and Mrs R Faulkner, of Perryfields Lane, Sidemoor, had been serving in the Army Catering Corps at Bad Oeynhausen.

His bride, Ursula Salewski, was the nursemaid to the children of a British Army officer.

25 years ago

February 8, 1974#

FORMER Rubery youth leader Thomas Page was ''absolutely furious'' over a book which fourth formers at North Bromsgrove High School were reading as part of their curriculum. He said the book, A Kestrel For A Knave, by Barry Hines, contained obscene and very crude passages.

THE Messenger reported that Bromsgrove magistrates were becoming increasingly concerned at the number of cases involving young people, which were the result of excessive drinking.

ONE of the United States' largest diesel engine producers -- Cummins Engines Inc -- placed a record order with Garringtons Ltd. It was worth $1m in 1974 and $2.5m in 1975.

MASS redundancies were forecast by directors of town companies who hit out at union-led industrial disputes.

Clements' Brothers Displays, of Kidderminster Road, issued a statement alleging a Communist conspiracy aimed at debasing democracy.