Memory Lane

THE latest Worcestershire and the War section reported on meetings held in the region.

A meeting at the Parish Club in Hanbury included a lecture given by Bowater Vernon.

The lecture was on the war, its cause, progress, and possible consequences.

The chairman said he thought it was necessary so that everyone understood why they were at war.

He urged employers to do all they could to persuade their men, over whom they had influence, to enlist.

A meeting in Droitwich was also called, being held at the Salters’ Hall.

The mayor presided and proposed that an account be opened on behalf of the Prince of Wales’ war fund at local banks, with generous donations invited.

Willis Bund, of the Corbett Trustees, said they wanted residents to be no worse for the war, but not any better.

In a stirring speech Colonel Hickman said that men had got to go, otherwise they are not to be men.

THE Messenger was also now carrying the latest war telegrams, by special service from the Press Association, received just before deadline.

Among the telegrams were that: Russia had captured Lemburg and Helicz, the Russians had suffered defeat in Prussia, and the Italian Government had announced it was determined the country remain neutral.

50 years ago. September 4, 1964.

THE battle against the proposed closure of Bromsgrove, Blackwell and Stoke Works railway stations was gathering momentum after the calling of a public meeting.

A notice of the meeting had been handed out to passengers at the stations, the note also asking them to write in protest to the Minister of Transport and Bromsgrove MP James Dance.

Bromsgrove’s constituency Labour Party had voted to call upon the Minister of Transport to instruct British Railways to withdraw the plan.

A petition, which had been organised by resident Ronald Swift – who had also arranged the meeting - had attracted 560 signatures in just four days.

MORE than 1,000 visitors attended Bromsgrove Court Leet’s garden party at Bumblehole Cottage, Fockbury – home of that year’s bailiff Godfrey Baseley.

The centre of attraction in the garden was a water garden that included a bold display of 200 plants of Grenadia.

Members of the court leet were kept busy with various stalls and competitions – skittles providing one of the main attractions.

25 years ago. September 7, 1989.

SUCCESSFUL film producers could begin learning their trade at the Bromsgrove campus of North East Worcestershire College.

The college had opened a brand new television studio.

The studio had been converted and equipped at a cost of £37,000, and was being opened by Manuel Alverdao – head of education of the British film industry.

A BROMSGROVE swimmer had his sights set on a record breaking cross Channel swim. Alan Turk had competed against 30 other long distance swimmers in Windermere. He managed to win the 10-and-a-half mile breast stroke race, across the Lake District’s famous water.

It was his fourth win in a row, giving him an extra incentive to attempt a 21-mile crossing from England to France.

Alan, who trained at the Dolphin Centre, wanted to become the first man to cross the Channel using the butterfly stroke.

A CHARFORD woman was urging residents to join a campaign fighting the Poll Tax.

Sue Hazelwood had been spurred into action, and called a meeting, after hearing a quarter of Scottish taxpayers had not paid.

Mass non-payment was the aim of the Anti- Poll Tax Union, which was campaigning ahead of the introduction of the Government legislation in 1990.

Sue said: “There is adverse feeling in the community against the Poll Tax.

“Working class people are going to suffer.”

A SCHEME to provide a second platform at Bromsgrove Railway Station was under scrutiny by county transport chiefs.

Bromsgrove District Council heralded the project as an opportunity to radically improve the railway service in Bromsgrove, and also called for extra car parking spaces.

County councillor Howard Banner said he was strongly backing the plan, saying it was about time Bromsgrove had benefits towns like Redditch had received.

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.