100 years ago March 11, 1899

100 years ago

March 11, 1899

A CHILD pauper at Bromsgrove workhouse had been given ten strokes of the birch rod for wilful disobedience and kicking the children's attendant.

SANGER'S Circus claimed the £5 rent charged by Bromsgrove Urban Council to pitch its big top in Crown Close was too expensive and had found an alternative site. And Mr Collingham, proprietor of the travelling Pavilion Theatre, which also used Crown Close, complained business was so bad he could not afford the 30s (£1.50) per week rent and wanted a 10s (50p) reduction. The council refused.

THE health of residents in rural Bromsgrove was improving, according to the medical officer, Dr Kidd.

But infant deaths, running at two or three in every ten births in poorer parts of Catshill and Bournheath, were a major concern.

Babies left in the care of siblings while their mothers toiled in the nail shop, washhouse or fields, plus unsuitable foods, such as oatmeal and bread, were the chief causes he said.

CATSHILL residents sent a deputation to Bromsgrove Urban Council urging it to open Woodrow Lane through to Birmingham Road, remove the two dangerous gates which presently crossed it and make it a public highway.

The council said it would be more disposed to agree to their wishes if they were prepared to dip into their own pockets to help foot the bill.

50 years ago

March 12, 1949

SATURDAY'S heavy snowstorm turned a match at the Victoria Ground into a farce. The referee and players had difficulty remaining upright and the ball was frequently lost from view. The referee abandoned it with ten minutes to go when the flakes got larger and Rovers were beating Stourbridge 2-1.

MUCH interest was caused on Thursday when a Garratt 2-8-8-2 locomotive from Eastern region was spotted banking trains up the Lickey Incline from Bromsgrove to Northfield. The engine was on trial with a view to it possibly replacing 'Big Bertha' which had performed sterling service on the incline for the past 28 years.

FINSTALL WI members, at the county federation meeting in Worcester, proposed the age at which children could buy fireworks should be raised from 13 to 16 years.

THE poor condition of the fabric of Tardebigge Church was a cause for concern. It was said around £1,000 was needed to repair stonework and the steeple.

A FOOTPATH, running from a point near Wychbold Church to Rashwood, was said to be unsafe in parts. Rabbits burrowing beneath it had caused severe subsidence.

WORK on building a new church hall on the corner of Cliff Rock Road and Edgewood Road, in Rednal, was expected to start in June. Parishioners had raised £800 towards the cost.

25 years ago

March 8, 1974

SCENES of unprecedented chaos accompanied the declaration of the General Election result in Bromsgrove. Labour supporters issued a barrage of abuse when they heard Tory Hal Miller had snatched the seat from their man, the sitting MP, Terry Davis.

BUSINESS was booming for Stoke Prior brush firm L G Harris. Pressure on space in the main factory had forced the firm to build a new stores and despatch department in the grounds. Presently, 25 per cent of the firm's goods were exported.

VOLUNTEER groups in Bromsgrove were asked to nominate representatives to sit on the district's, soon to be launched, community health council.

A COMPETITION, organised by the newly-created Bromsgrove District Council, asking people to come up with designs for its official crest had attracted 25 entries.

The lucky winner of the £20 prize would see the design incorporated in the chairman's chain of office.

DOWNSWAY supermarket, which had traded in Bromsgrove's High Street for less than three years, was to close. No reason was given but it was thought lack of car parking was to blame.

Key Markets in Mill Lane was said to be doing brisk business.