100 Years Ago, January 25, 1908

2:04pm Thursday 17th January 2008

THERE was disquiet in the Bromsgrove village of Catshill about the 30 or so men who, clad in dirty clothes and using filthy language, regularly congregated on certain roads to the annoyance and embarrassment of young women and children. Despite a new working men's club having been established and facilities set up for further education, it appeared the loafers were simply not interested.

THE changeable weather was again a big talking point in Bromsgrove. The green yule had been followed by Arctic-like conditions during which Bromsgrove's Spadesbourne Brook had frozen over. The weather then turned spring-like briefly, before once again becoming icy. This was followed by thick fog, which brought chaos to road and rail systems.

THOMAS Prescott, a labourer from Cooksey, appeared at Bromsgrove police court charged with failing to send his son, Frank, to school regularly. The bench heard that he had attended just 85 times from a possible 116. Magistrates warned Prescott that if the situation did not improve they would have no hesitation in sending the boy away to an industrial school to be educated. He was fined 2/6 with 5/6 costs or in default seven days' jail. Prescott was allowed a fortnight to pay.

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