50 Years Ago, February 1, 1958

9:23am Tuesday 29th January 2008

THE Squire of Bentley, Lt Col LG Gray-Cheape, was host at the annual Rent Audit dinner for his 40 tenants, at The Golden Cross Hotel in Bromsgrove. The dinner was an occasion for setting the rents and for the squire to update tenants about his plans for the vast estate. In his speech he said estate management was becoming a business, but he hoped to be able to continue to foster a family feeling' between himself and them. After the meal, the diners were entertained by can can girls and other female dance troupes, including one calling themselves The Glamourettes.

ONE hundred members of Belbroughton Cricket Club enjoyed their annual dinner in the Church Hall. Later an engraved silver salver was presented to club chairman Lt Col Mayhew in recognition of his services to the club. The members heard that the club had been founded prior to 1871, but the precise date was unknown. At around this time the membership include The Marquis of Queensbury and Will Newman, a member of the England team which made the first ever tour of Australia.

A PROLIFERATION of moles in the vicinity of Harris Brushworks at Stoke Prior was occupying the minds of correspondents to The Messenger. Mr G Chance, from the company, wrote to say that there were some 60 or 70 mole hills just on one corner of their playing field. This may have accounted for the presence of a large grey owl' with a wingspan said to be up to four feet wide which was regularly seen in broad daylight patrolling the area in the hope of snatching a tasty meal.

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