A MESSENGER editorial reflected on the choice of Bromsgrove's Barnsley Hall estate as the location for the new county lunatic asylum.

100 years ago

June 3, 1899

A MESSENGER editorial reflected on the choice of Bromsgrove's Barnsley Hall estate as the location for the new county lunatic asylum. The paper said the town's working classes and tradesmen would benefit from more job opportunities and increased business. On the other hand it went on, some people didn't take kindly to living near large numbers of mentally-ill patients. But, elsewhere, where asylums had been built, few residents had complained.

A SCATHING letter condemning the cruelty that went on in Bromsgrove cattle market signed 'Humanitarian', appeared in the paper's correspondence columns.

The writer said the common practice of carrying fowls head down was cruel and a recent incident he had witnessed, involving a bunch of calves being driven in High Street, had disgusted him.

THE weather was a major talking point in the district right now. At the end of last week the temperature was lower than at Christmas, but, a few days later, people were basking in tropical heat. However, three nights of severe frost last week had seriously harmed early crops of potatoes, beans and strawberries.

RESIDENTS in Droitwich Spa were celebrating the opening of the long-awaited new railway station. The land on which it had been built had been donated by John Corbett. He performed the official opening ceremony and later entertained some high profile guests to lunch at Salters' Hall.

ANNE Raybould, licensee of the Cock Inn, Rubery, was fined a hefty £5, plus costs, by Kings Norton magistrates for allowing drunkenness on her premises. Sgt Burford and PC Turner told magistrates they had found nine navvies the worst for drink in the tap room. Raybould claimed they wouldn't leave when she had asked them to.

50 years ago

June 5, 1949

HOPES were high that the recent very wet spell would relent in time for the Whitsun holidays. There was much to keep stay-at-home holidaymakers amused. A gymkhana was planned for Westwood Park in Droitwich, while an athletics event was set to take place at the new BYO stadium in New Road, Bromsgrove.

RESIDENTS in Dodford were fed up with missing the last bus home in the evening after waiting for hours to see their GP. Since the ''free for all'' NHS had come into being doctors had become very busy.

A suggestion by villagers that doctors should hold weekly surgeries in outlying areas was not practical the Messenger said.

BUDDING author Graham Whitehouse, of Delville, Wildmoor, Bromsgrove, was to have his story, 'The soldier who went for a sail', broadcast on BBC Children's Hour.

A LARGE crowd braved the rain to enjoy Bromsgrove County High School's annual sports day and PE display.

25 years ago

May 31, 1974

CAPTAIN Keith Ball was presented with the player of the year award at Bromsgrove Rovers' dinner held at Perry Hall Hotel.

POLICE patrolmen were astonished when they caught sight of two naked youths in their headlights while driving near Norton Farm, in Birmingham Road, Bromsgrove's Juvenile Court heard. They found one hiding in buildings but the other escaped. The 16-year-old's father told magistrates his son had been suffering from exam pressure and had streaked for ''a laugh.'' The lad was given 12 months conditional discharge for insulting behaviour.

RICHARD Kenchington, aged 22, from College Road, Bromsgrove, had been selected for the Great Britain rifle shooting team to tour Canada in August.

THE Cholstrey barn, the latest exhibit at Avoncroft Museum, in Bromsgrove, had been erected and was waiting to be thatched.