Memory Lane

THE Worcestershire and the War section reported that Mr Kettle of Worcester Street had been notified his son, Sergeant D Kettle, had been killed in action.

Private Dennis Corbett, of South Road, Aston Fields, a member of the King’s Royal Rifles – who had been called up at the start of the war – had been reported missing.

In the latest war telegrams it was reported that the total number of casualties of the war now numbered 57,000.

It was not known the losses of other allied powers, or those of the enemy.

It was reported that 160 German officers refused to go to the front, saying they had been misled.

The Kaiser was said to have personally restored discipline, with an unconfirmed rumour that some officers were shot.

DR Beilby wrote to Bromsgrove Urban Distict Council giving the authority the opportunity to accept his resignation.

Dr Beilby said his military duty was interfering with his work as a member of the council, and more particularly as a representative of the council on the hospital committee.

The chairman said it was hard to accept the resignation but while he was doing his duty, he felt it best to fill the vacancy on the committee.

AT Bromsgrove Petty Sessions William Troth, a chimney sweep, was charged with allowing the chimney of his house to be on fire.

Police Sergeant Pheysey proved the case. The defendant, who admitted the offence, said the fire was caused by a frying pan failing.

The chimney had been swept a fortnight previous, he argued.

Defendant was fined 4s, including costs. It was joked that the defendant should change his sweep.

50 years ago. November 13, 1964.

SEVERE damage had been carried out to public property in the last month.

Bromsgrove Urban District Council reported Rubery was the scene of the worst vandalism, with toilets in the village particularly targeted. A flushing system had been torn from the wall and smashed, and copper pipes stolen.

On four of the local football grounds, goalposts had been broken.

The council decided, in view of the extent of the damage, that the toilets would be closed at night.

FOLLOWING a suggestion put to the council, it was agreed to provide a barrier at the bottom of the 48 steps that led from St John Street to the churchyard.

A question on whether to include a handrail on the wall on one of the sides of the steps was to be considered, when rate estimates were prepared.

THE name Greendale Close had been chosen for a new estate road that had been put down off Barley Mow Lane in Catshill.

25 years ago. November 16, 1989.

JUST 90 minutes stood between Bromsgrove Rovers and a place in the FA Cup second round.

Up to 500 supporters were expected to travel to Hampshire for the tie against Basingstoke Town, making up a crowd of 2,000.

Club officials hoped the club could get through, and have a money spinning clash against a league club in the next round.

PRINCESS Anne was set to receive a royal welcome from Bromsgrove folk.

The Princess was arriving by helicopter after visiting schools in Droitwich and Worcester.

She was to officially open North East Worcestershire College, marking the joining together of the Bromsgrove and Redditch site to form the college.

A CAMPAIGN to crackdown on acid house parties had been strongly supported by Bromsgrove District Council.

The council was backing Government proposals to take legal action as a matter of urgency, if an unlicensed event was discovered.

Councillors agreed applications for acid house parties could be made at short notice, when conditions could be attached to ensure safety.

A DROITWICH councillor hoped a proposal for a large adventure playground would get the go-ahead.

Councillor Peter Pinfield said the playground would be modelled on a successful one in Evesham, which included a dirt track and adventure play facilities.

But Don Lawley, Droitwich’s mayor, said the town council did not own a suitable area of land and the district and county councils were tasked with finding a possible site.

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.