THOMAS Crowther and John Priddey, two boys from The Vines in Droitwich, appeared before Spa magistrates charged with being naked while bathing in the canal in Ricketts Lane, contrary to a bye-law. Magistrate Mr Hobson appeared to side with the lads and was heard to remark the provision of a proper pool in the town was many years away. The case was dismissed.

THE new electric fire alarm, which had been installed in the brigade captain's home to summon firefighters to report to the Bromsgrove station, was working well. In the space of four and a half minutes, nine firemen and two police offices had arrived for duty after reports of a blaze in Stourbridge Road had been received. But when it was discovered it was nothing more than a blazing small tump of hay only three men were dispatched to deal with it. A public fund was later opened to compensate the owner Mr Hands, from Sidemoor, who was uninsured.

A CEREMONY was held to mark the handing over of a new gas holder to the management of Bromsgrove's Gas Works. The 85ft diameter by 25ft high structure employed the 'spiral guide' system within a steel tank, which eliminated the need for huge support pillars. The demand for gas locally was increasing as more people were starting to live in new homes in areas such as Barnt Green and Blackwell.

WALTER Loat, aged 40, a labourer of Worcester Street, Bromsgrove, and a renowned drunkard, was hauled before the town's petty session charged with being drunk and disorderly near his home. Magistrates fined him 10/- (50p) plus 6/6 (32.5p) costs or seven days' hard labour. He was on the point of paying the fine, but then opted for jail whereupon magistrates, who had heard he had 24/- in his pocket when arrested, insisted he paid up. He was made to pay an extra 2/- (10p) for the trouble he had caused.