Memory Lane

IN the Worcestershire and the War section, a letter from Private Frank Williams that had been sent to a Bromsgrove resident was published.

The writer, who was in France, said he was still in the land of the living which was "saying a lot".

He wrote: “We cannot get very downhearted out here, as we get some very lively times now and again.

“The King and the Prince of Wales came to see us in the trenches the other day.

“I was pleased to see them amongst us as it gives a man heart to see his King and his Prince out here helping to defend his country’s name.”

In the war telegrams it was reported that great masses of German troops from the Russian front had passed through Aux la Chapelle, travelling in the direction of Northern France.

THERE had been a double tragedy on the railway in Blackwell.

A man and woman, believed to be Walter and Clara Taylor of Smethwick, had been standing on a platform at the station when the express train from Bristol to Birmingham passed through.

The man was said to have jumped, and the woman followed him. They were both killed.

There was confusion as to why the woman jumped, some speculating it was suicide while others guessed she had jumped to save the man.

AT Bromsgrove Petty Sessions Alfred Baylis of Hollies Farm, Hunnington, was charged with being drunk in charge of a horse and cart in High Street.

On the evidence of PC Taylor, Baylis was fined 10s and 6s 6d costs.

50 years ago. December 25, 1964.

THE sub-post office and general store near Marlbrook cross roads had been the scene of a daring raid.

In the early hours of December 23, the Birmingham Road premises were raided with 12,390 cigarettes, and a safe and its contents of £2,701 stolen.

The raid had been carried out without the Postmaster, his wife, and two dogs being disturbed.

Two men had been arrested and were remanded in custody.

A CHEQUE for Bromsgrove’s contribution to the Freedom from Hunger Campaign had been presented to the fund at a council meeting.

During 14 months of fundraising, £1,288 and 10s was raised in the district for the fund, which worked to increase food production around the world.

THE state Wychbold Recreation Ground had been left in after the bonfire night celebrations was criticised at a meeting of Dodderhill Parish Council.

Organisers of the event were criticised for not clearing up afterwards, and that they had not sought permission to hold the event from the council, in the first place.

Members of the council said if there were not satisfactory arrangements put in place for the next bonfire night, they would be reluctant to grant permission.

25 years ago. December 28, 1989.

A MAJOR appeal launched by the Bromsgrove Advertiser/Messenger has raised thousands for charity.

A staggering £25,000 had been raised for the Flying Doctor Service, which had been launched in February.

Editor John Butterworth said: “Despite the ever increasing demand for money for other equally worthwhile charities, this figure reflects the gratitude felt by local people for the work the doctors do.”

FOUR pups left to die in a rubbish skip just before Christmas had been saved.

Andrew Middleton, a partner in his father’s Hanbury skip hire firm, had found the shivering pups in a cardboard box in the skip near Harris brushworks.

He was now trying to find homes for the pups and was appealing for Advertiser/Messenger readers to get come forward.

HERITAGE Way in Droitwich town centre was to keep its name, despite the Spa’s heritage centre no longer being based there.

The request to change the name went before Droitwich’s planning committee after the town museum was moved to a different location at St Richard’s House.

Councillors turned the request down saying the name was well established after being used for many years.

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.