Memory Lane

THE Worcestershire and war section reported the deaths of William Martin, of Alvechurch, and Sergeant Donald Kettle, of Worcester Street.

Private A Hardurst, of the 2nd Worcesters, was believed to be a prisoner of war in Germany.

Bromsgrove soldier Gunner J Garfield of the 43rd Battery had written to his father and mother at Stourbridge Road, from France.

The letter, that was shared with the Messenger, reported he was in good health and strength.

He said: “I feel certain that it (the war) is not going to last much longer.

“They (the Germans) seem hungry and tired, and willing to give up for food.”

THE Bromsgrove Horticultural Society and Gardeners’ Association had held an autumn flower show at the Assembly Rooms.

With the outbreak of the war it was decided to hold a patriotic flower show instead, with the usual money prizes for competitors abandoned.

Instead, proceeds were being given to local funds for the relief of Belgium refugees.

AT Bromsgrove Petty Sessions, Leslie Whitmore, of Birmingham Road, was ordered to pay 7s 6d costs for driving a motor car without a rear light in New Road.

Also at the sessions Albert Llewellyn was fined for driving his motor tri-cycle at a speed dangerous to the public.

Llewellyn was estimated to be driving at the bottom of Finstall hill at 35mph. Llewellyn argued he didn’t believe he was going at a speed dangerous to anyone.

50 years ago. November 20, 1964.

WHILE British Legion branches in the district reported increased proceeds from the annual Poppy Day collections, Bromsgrove’s total of £443 6s 1d fell short of £20 on the previous year’s record.

The sale of poppies in High Street on the Saturday before Remembrance Sunday had managed to raise £82, but this was lower than the £125 raised the previous year, on the same day.

One of the reasons suggested for the fall was the decrease, by a third, of street collectors.

THE president of the Friends of Bromsgrove Hospitals had addressed its annual meeting.

John Weaver, of Worcester, formerly of Stoke Prior, after being re-elected, said that although they did not know what the future held for hospital life, there will always be a need for the Friends to supplement what Governments did in the care of the sick.

SIDEMOOR Youth Club, that had opened only three months earlier, was reporting that around 250 youngsters were in some way benefitting from its activities.

The youth club ran club nights, and dance nights.

A final appeal had been made to raise the £470 needed for a building project for the club.

25 years ago. November 23, 1989.

YOUNG Afghan victims, horrifically injured in their country’s war, were to be treated at a Bromsgrove hospital.

The first group, of six children, were being flown into Britain to undergo surgery at the National Hospital of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in Tardebigge.

This was the first major initiative to be launched by the Bright Eyes charity, providing support and treatment for disfigured youngsters.

BROMSGROVE Tory councillors were accused of not having the courage to carry out a referendum on the opting out of the Alexandra Hospital.

Residents in Redditch had taken part in a ballot vote on whether or not they thought the Alex should become a self-governing body, but Bromsgrove residents had not been given a say.

The leader of Redditch Borough Council, Albert Wharrad, said he found it disgraceful the Bromsgrove controlling group should deny townsfolk the opportunity to have their say.

Bromsgrove District councillor Joy Bushby responded by saying consultations with various groups and the public would take place, and added she felt the leader of Redditch was not in any position to speak for Bromsgrove.

A MEETING aimed at launching a society devoted to Bromsgrove’s world famous Lickey Incline was being organised.

The society was the brainchild of town resident Neville Billington.

Neville said as 1990 would see the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the railway in Bromsgrove, it would be a good time to launch the society.

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.