SHAMED Marcus Liddell, a brakeman with the Midland Railway living at Blackwell, spoiled an unblemished 33 years' service record when he appeared before Bromsgrove magistrates.

100 years ago

February 18, 1899

SHAMED Marcus Liddell, a brakeman with the Midland Railway living at Blackwell, spoiled an unblemished 33 years' service record when he appeared before Bromsgrove magistrates. He was charged with stealing 28lbs of chocolate worth 19s 4d (96.5p), the property of Cadbury's from a goods train. He was fined £5 or in default one month's jail. His defence said it was one of the saddest cases ever to come before the court.

THERE was good news for housewives living in the Bromsgrove area this week. Bromsgrove Gaslight and Coke Company announced its near record profits meant bills would be reduced from this summer. The firm could also now afford new pipes which would give consumers living near All Saint's Church improved pressure.

A HEARTBREAKING story emerged from Bradley Green this week. John Harris, 42, a labourer died on Sunday after being thrown from a trap at Woodgate while travelling to Stoke Works station to pick up his mother-in-law 24-hours earlier. His wife had died the previous day while giving birth. The baby died on Monday. Members of the inquest jury sitting at the Red Lion pub donated their fees to the six children aged three to 16 left as orphans.

WYCHBOLD was to get lit up. Plans were in hand for two lamps to be installed in the village, one opposite the police station, the other by Back Alley. The corner near the police station was said to be very dangerous after dark as it was busy with conveyances making for Elmbridge.

50 years ago

February 19, 1949

FIREMEN from Bromsgrove were called to rescue a cat which had climbed an electricity pole at Catshill and was stuck on an arm carrying a cable. Leading fireman Wheeler donned rubber gloves and scaling the 30ft ladder got it down. But the cat was not appreciative of his efforts to save one of its nine lives. It vented its fury on the unfortunate fireman and almost knocked him off the ladder.

MEMBERS of the Droitwich branch of Evesham Conservative Association said farewell to MP Rupert de la Bere at a gathering at the Spa's Winter Gardens. New boundary changes meant Droitwich in future would become part of Worcester constituency.

THE tenants of the Bentley estate gathered at the Foxlydiate Hotel for the annual rent audit dinner hosted by the squire Major Gray-Cheape. The event had been revived by him after a lapse of 35 years.

MRS Stratford amazed her fellow Rubery WI members when she managed to cram 215 different objects into a matchbox to win a competition.

25 years ago

February 15, 1974

ROSEMARY Ford from Lower Goose Hill Farm, Hanbury, was picked by young farmers in the area to be Bromsgrove's new Dairymaid of the year.

THE redevelopment of Bromsgrove was going on apace. This week ancient buildings in Crown Close at the rear of Hardy's furnishers and Scott's jewellers were demolished to make a car park.

TIGER Feet by Mud was the best selling single record in Bromsgrove this week with the Wombling Song coming a close second, according to the Top Ten chart in the Messenger. Mantelpieces by Clifford T Ward, a former North Bromsgrove High School teacher, was in at number nine in the LP chart.

STUDENTS at Shenstone College in Bromsgrove staged a one day strike in support of larger grants.

BATTLE lines were being drawn up in Bromsgrove for the forthcoming General Election at the end of the month. It looked like being a two horse race between sitting Labour MP Terry Davis and Hal Miller for the Conservatives. The last time Bromsgrove went to the polls Davis took the seat with a 1,868 majority.