Memory Lane

ON page six the Messenger reported that Europe was now at war.

The paper included a summary of worrying events of the past week.

Germany had declared war upon Russia, and troops had entered Luxemburg and crossed the French frontier in Lorraine without any declaration at all.

The Messenger commented: “the great European struggle which the nations have so long struggled to avert has begun”.

Sir Edward Grey had told the House of Commons that as the result of Cabinet meetings the attitude the Government was adopting had been devised. He informed the Commons that the country "must be and are" prepared for all the consequences of having to use all the strength to defend ourselves and take part.

The Government had then declared a state of war now existed between Great Britain and Germany.

The Messenger also reported that the Prime Minister, with the pressures of other duties, had been compelled to give up the office of Secretary of State for War.

The King had approved of the appointment of Lord Kitchener as his successor.

50 years ago. August 7, 1964.

THERE had been further changes to Bromsgrove’s High Street as another gap in the Georgian facade had appeared.

The former seed shop, where in the 1860s the Messenger was first produced, was now being demolished.

The property has also once been the Bromsgrove Mechanics Institute.

BROMSGROVE Rovers were to have a pre-season match against Walsall, it had been announced.

The match was being held at the Victoria Ground on August 17, the final game before the start of the new season.

It was expected the Saddlers would not be sending their best side, but many of their league players would be taking part.

BARNT Green village had literally found itself turned into a car park when thousands of motorists descended on the village for the annual flower show over the Bank Holiday weekend.

The president’s cup, awarded to the exhibitor with the most points, had been awarded to Arthur Finch.

The attendance had exceeded more than 6,000.

A TWO-day match had been arranged for the first time at Barnt Green Cricket Club to mark 75 years of cricket.

The club was hoping for a bumper crowd, especially as the club were facing their old rivals Bromsgrove.

A buffet and social event had also been arranged to celebrate the anniversary.

25 years ago. August 10, 1989.

HUNDREDS of customers of a Bromsgrove pub had been denied an open air pop concert following a complaint it could get out of hand.

The Ewe and Lamb, in Stoke Prior, was to be the venue for the concert when soul band Zoot and the Roots were to take the stage in a field behind the pub.

But Bromsgrove police said the concert could not go ahead because the pub did not have an entertainments license.

Licensee Roger Cox said the main objection that had been made was things could get out of hand and turn into an “acid house party”.

Acting Chief Inspector David Harris denied this suggestion had been made, but stressed a public entertainments license was needed for a pub to hold an out of doors event.

WORRIED villagers were calling for the brakes to be put on speeding vehicles.

Residents of Cofton Hackett have renewed their campaign for a lower speed limit, more road signs, and double yellow lines after a spate of incidents at an accident blackspot at the junction of Reservoir Road and Barnt Green.

Chairman of Cofton Hackett Parish Council, Mike Gallagher, claimed that it seemed to take a certain number of accidents before action was taken.

AN application for a 130 acre golf course on agricultural lane in Ombersley had been submitted.

John Dowty Ltd had applied for the planning permission, and was expecting it to cost £1 million.

The site had been chosen as the site was elevated and offered extensive panoramic views.

If Wychavon planners approved the scheme it was hoped the golf course would be ready for 1992.

Memory Lane is compiled from the papers dating back to the Messenger's first edition in 1860. The papers are free to view at Bromsgrove Library, in Stratford Road.

For more information call the library on 01905 822722.