Memory Lane

THE Bromsgrove Messenger published a roll of honour – a list of the sailors and soldiers from Bromsgrove and Droitwich fighting in the First World War. The list was a comprehensive one taking up three pages of the edition.

At the end of the list were a killed, wounded and missing columns. There were eight names in the killed column, 16 in the wounded, and three in the missing.

The Messenger asked readers to notify them of changes so that the list could again be published in the future.

AT Droitwich county petty sessions the Reverend Edmund Young, of The Old Vicarage in Hanbury, was charged with riding a bicycle in Bromsgrove Road, Hanbury, without a light.

PC Hopewell proved the case and the defendant was ordered to pay 5s costs.

FUNDRAISERS were being organised for Belgium refugees who had been forced to flee due to the war.

A patriotic flower show was being held at the Assembly Rooms, which had been organised by the Bromsgrove Gardeners’ Association. A benefit concert was also being held at the rooms. Money raised at both were being donated to relief funds.

THE war telegrams reported on a naval battle in the Pacific, and a battle on the triangle of Dixmude, Roulers and Ypres. With the assistance of the French, British troops had succeeded in retaining possession of Ypres.

The fighting was described as most desperate, and although losses were heavy, “a heavier toll was taken from the enemy”.

50 years ago. November 6, 1964.

A BROMSGROVE man had struck it lucky on the football pools as he and his wife shared in a family syndicate that won more than £20,000.

Frederick Faulkner of Barnfield Road Shrubbery had previously only ever managed to win a total of 7s on the pools.

With the winnings Frederick said he planned to buy a new car because that was what he had always wanted.

AN attempt to persuade Bromsgrove and District Trades Council that widespread Guy Fawkes’ displays no longer served a useful purpose fizzed out like a damp squid at a meeting.

Mr Abel argued the occasion was now simply feathing the pockets of firework manufacturers, and he reminded delegates of the numerous accidents caused to children playing with fireworks.

Several members protested at his remarks, one arguing he was strongly in favour of back garden displays as long as councils showed youngsters how to avoid accidents.

It was agreed to take no action.

THE Minister of Housing and Local Government had rejected an appeal for the conversion of Davenal House, The Strand, into an area of shops and houses.

The owner Mrs Jameson appealed to the minister after Bromsgrove Urban District Council refused the application.

The minister had refused the plan because of a scheme to create a one-way traffic arrangement for the centre of Bromsgrove.

25 years ago. November 9, 1989.

DISABLED people in Bromsgrove were celebrating after winning their fight for a £3,000 swimming pool hoist at the Dolphin Centre.

Councillors agreed to reverse their decision after reading comments in the Advertiser while investigating the grievances of local people.

The Recreation and Amenities Committee had also announced further good news with the introduction of free swimming for the disabled, easier access from changing rooms to the pool, and courses for attendants educating them on the needs of the disabled.

DECORATING specialists Fads, which had only been based in Bromsgrove for two-and-a-half years, had announced it would be closing.

But Mel Priestley, divisional director, said the closure would lead to no job losses as jobs would transfer to sister company Payless still operating in Bromsgrove.

A FRESH appeal for businesses to help buy a showpiece clock, which would be a tribute to the nailmaking industry that made Bromsgrove once famous - had been made.

Norman James, Bromsgrove Society chairman, said two years ago a committee had previously been established to look into the possibility of the clock for the High Street.

The society was £4,000 short of the £9,000 needed.

An artists impression had been released of the clock which would feature a nailer seen to strike the hours on his anvil.

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.