WITH the holiday season nearly upon us and mixed bathing now accepted in most popular watering holes, the advice in the Messenger's women's column was timely. It said now there was a need to be smart. Out had gone unfashionable old blue sack bathing gowns in favour of smart knee-length pleated skirts and "sailor" type blouses. However, a thin corset would still be worn beneath.

JOSEPH Weston, a member of the Bromsgrove Board of Guardians, met with a serious accident while haymaking on his land at Cradley Heath. A train had startled one of the horses causing it to bolt and in an attempt to stop it he had been knocked down and suffered head injuries. However, he was said to be going on nicely.

BROMSGROVE magistrates handed Thomas James, of Penny Pot, Catshill, the stiffest penalty possible for repeatedly refusing to send his son Arthur to school. The lad's mother had told the inspector he was wanted to work on the family allotment and the authorities could do as they wished. He was fined £1 plus costs.

JUNE had been the driest in the district for 30 years, resulting in problems for farmers. Crops of cereals and roots had been severely affected but surprisingly the hay crop had been one of the best on record. However, the strawberry crop on which many growers relied to pay their rent, had suffered badly as the dry weather had caused the fruit to fall off the plants before it had a chance to ripen.

AN inquest at the Duke of York pub in Sidemoor, Bromsgrove, decided nailer Joseph Maskell, aged 40, had committed suicide by hanging himself from the banisters at his home in Providence Square. The coroner was told he had been depressed since his wife had died leaving him to bring up his six children on a wage of not much more than 10/- (50p) per week.