Memory Lane

IN the Worcestershire and the war section the longest list so far of those killed in action from across the county was published.

The list included those who had been wounded, those who died later of their wounds, and of those missing.

A recruiting advert was also published which read “the great resolution for the new year: ‘I will be a man and enlist today’. God Save the King”.

AT Bromsgrove Petty Sessions Ernest Banner of Wildmoor Lane was charged with being drunk and incapable in Golden Cross Lane, Marlbrook.

The defendant, a cyclist, did not appear, as it was stated he was engaged with making shells for the army.

PC Hayes said he had found the defendant helplessly drunk lying on the ground, with his bike on top of him.

Banner was fined 2s 6d and 5s 6d costs.

BROMSGROVE Rovers had suffered a humiliating defeat to local rivals on Boxing Day.

Bromsgrove lost 5-2 to Redditch away from home, in front of a crowd of 1,500.

The Messenger reported the result was not a surprise, as Redditch were top and Bromsgrove were bottom of the league.

A SEVERE snowstorm and gales hit the town just after Christmas.

Three inches of snow fell and the gales, accompanied by the weight of the snow, caused considerable damage to telephone wires.

A chimney at Bromsgrove Post Office gave way with brickwork falling into the High Street.

January 1, 1965.

A LAMB was born on Christmas Day at Astwood Farm, Stoke Works, but on Boxing Day it had been found dead with bloodstained marks.

It was speculated that the lamb had been the victim of a badger.

An expert, Fred Fincher, said it was “most unusual” for a badger to kill a lamb, although he had heard of it happening before when badgers were hungry.

EXTENSIONS were to be built at the Teachers’ Training College in Burcot Lane.

It would allow the college to increase the number of students to 450.

An estimated £54,800 would be spent on the scheme, which had been approved by the Department of Education and Science.

THE Messenger reported that when a new school in Stoke Prior – expected to be erected on a site off Ryefields Road and Shaw Lane - was built, the present school and school house at Stoke Works would be sold to Bromsgrove Rural District Council.

January 4, 1990.

BROMSGROVE businesses were facing a bleak start to the new year and the new decade after learning that soaring rateable values, up to eight times their value amount, were to be revealed.

According to a spokesman from Bromsgrove District Council most businesses would be paying more.

Tony Turpin, Bromsgrove Chamber of Trade chairman, predicted a rise in unemployment and the closure of some businesses when the new system was introduced.

FOUR pups who were dumped in a skip in Stoke Prior had all been found new homes after a fantastic response from Advertiser/Messenger readers.

Andrew Middleton, who had saved the pups, said he was delighted they had been able to find the pups homes with the help of the paper.

A FORMER Bromsgrove schoolboy was awarded an MBE in the New Years honours.

Inspector Bob Mills was head of crime prevention and community affairs for the West Mercia Constabulary.

He said he was delighted to receive the award "on behalf of the force and the police of this country".

AVONCROFT Museum was looking forward to an exciting period with the opening of a new Guesten Hall.

Curator Simon Penn said the hall would be a major conference centre and provide a base for the community.

“I hope for extra expansion in the next 10 years,” he added.