100 years ago. September 19, 1914.

 

IN the Worcestershire and the War section, the Messenger reported on "stirring scenes" when a recruiting parade was held in Bromsgrove.

A crowd of around 5,000 attended the event that took place at Market Place.

A procession formed that included the Bromsgrove town band, the police force, the Bromsgrove Company of the National Reserve, the fire brigade and scouts.

Among the streets paraded were Worcester Street, High Street, Strand, Birmingham Road, All Saints Road, and Stourbridge Road.

A platform was erected and speeches then took place.

The meeting concluded with the singing of the hymn Eternal Father, Strong to Save, the playing of the Marseillaise and the singing of the National Anthem.

A procession of intending recruits formed and marched to the Territorial headquarters, where 70 young men volunteered to join the army.

 

AT Bromsgrove Petty Session a Sidemoor boy, Bertie Ward, aged 14, was charged with carrying a gun without a license.

Mr Neate, prosecuting, said the defendant had taken an air gun without the permission of his father, and had shot another boy three times.

The defendant was fined 15s including costs.

Ward said he had no money, and when told he had a week to pay or he faced seven days in prison, he appeared unconcerned and replied he could “go and do it”.

Superintendent Chare told him not to be cheeky.

 

50 years ago. September 18, 1964.

 

IN a traditional ceremony a white flag was flying over the site of the new Bromsgrove Labour Club.

The roof of the new premises at The Shrubbery site had been completed and one of the traditions of the building trade was to fly a white flag in celebration of this achievement.

Two members of the Labour committee with Bob Pinfield, the party agent, visited and supplied the employees of Weavers of Bromsgrove, carrying out the work, with drink.

IN a letter to Bromsgrove MP James Dance the Minister of Transport, Ernest Marples, said he understood the concern over the proposed closure of the railway stations at Bromsgrove, Barnt Green, Blackwell and Stoke Prior.

But he emphasised he had not reached any decision.

The Minister said he understood it was a matter of importance and “the most careful consideration will be given to all aspects” before he made any decision.

 

DROITWICH town councillors were “in for a shock” when they would come to make the rates for 1965 because of overspending by the authority’s committees.

That was the view of chairman of the finance committee Councillor Jolliffe, who added he would have much more to say on the matter at the next meeting.

 

25 years ago. September 21, 1989.

 

POLICE had launched a campaign asking residents to get their houses in order to save lives.

Police wanted everyone to number their homes clearly to help the emergency services.

The month long campaign in Bromsgrove, Rubery and Droitwich, had been launched as police believed some homes were inadequately identified.

Inspector David Wornham said this could have serious consequences especially for emergency services working at night.

VISITORS to a Lickey church had hit out at the dreadful state of the graveyard.

Rona Dix and Rita Pedmore had been visiting the cemetery at Holy Trinity Church for years, but they said no one cut the grass, which had now become a danger to visitors.

Leader of Bromsgrove District Council Margaret Taylor said the church had made an application to the authority’s finance committee for a grant to tidy up the cemetery, but this had been refused.

 

COUNCILLORS on Bromsgrove’s Policy and Resources Committee had given the go-ahead for a scheme to install surveillance cameras in High Street.

It was hoped the cameras, which would be fitted with infra red lenses for use in the dark, would help reduce the amount of vandalism and litter in the area.

The equipment was set to cost £1,200.

 

 

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.