Memory Lane

IN the Worcestershire and the War section it was reported that several members of the Worcestershire Regiment were among those to receive a distinguished service medal from the King.

The Messenger also reported that the Bromsgrove Voluntary Training Corps needed members. The movement was recognised by Government, and should there be an invasion, the corps would be part of the national defence.

So far the corps had 80 members, but it was felt in a town the size of Bromsgrove, there should 250.

The Messenger commented: “This is a movement which should appeal to men of all classes who are eligible, but not in a position to join the army at present.”

AT Bromsgrove Petty Sessions William Henry, of Hanover Street, was charged with driving a horse and a vehicle at Rock Hill without a light.

PC Mason stated the defendant had no light when he checked, and also found he was asleep.

The chairman of the bench commented on the danger to traffic caused by such conduct.

Mason was fined 1s and 7s 6d costs.

BROMSGROVE Rovers' dismal campaign continued, as they lost 9-0 to the Bloxwich Strollers.

Rovers were bottom of their league, having won just two games, lost 12, and conceded 56 goals.

January 8, 1965.

A DISPUTE involving night shift workers at the Austin Motor Works was set to reach a crucial stage.

Between 2,000 and 3,000 workers had refused to work a four hour shift on a Friday, following the introduction of a 41-hour agreement in December 1964.

It was felt long night shift work increased the risk of accident due to fatigue, and a possible deterioration in production.

Ahead of the next Friday night shift, management were unsure whether night staff workers would report for work.

MEMBERS of the Bromsgrove branch of the Electrical Trades Union were accusing Bromsgrove Urban District Council of choosing to use non-union members to carry out electrical work.

Secretary of Bromsgrove Trades Council, Mr Morgan, told the council’s annual meeting that he felt it was regrettable that the urban district council had not stipulated trades union memberships should be taken into account when contractors were used.

BROMSGROVE MP James Dance had voted against the abolition of the death penalty.

In a speech in Wythall he said he was most disturbed that a bill to end the death penalty had received a second reading commenting it seemed an act of folly to remove the remove the one remaining deterrent.

The MP said: “In the future it appears life imprisonment will really mean life.

“What sanction, what deterrent will there be for a prisoner under life imprisonment to prevent him murdering police or wardens?”

January 11, 1990.

TEACHERS’ jobs in Bromsgrove faced the axe under proposed Government legislation – despite a £7 million cash injection bid by county councillors.

Under new rules the number of teachers allocated to a school will depend on the number of pupils, rather than the needs of each school.

It was thought Waseley Hills High School could be worst hit as it suffered from a low pupil-teacher ratio.

A REVOLUTIONARY competition to make youngsters aware of the dangers of alcohol was being offered in Bromsgrove and Rubery.

The competition, known as The Booze Game, was aimed at young people aged 11 to 25-years-old, and was designed to encourage sensible drinking.

Youngsters had a choice of making their own board game or enter by answering five drink related questions.

A SOLUTION seemed to be in sight to ensure Bromsgrove middle schools pupils could again enjoy their weekly swim.

Hereford and Worcester County Council and Bromsgrove District Council had debated for four months a decision that prevented some students from swimming.

However it appeared the county council was now backing down, and youngsters missing out would be able to swim again.

SENIOR figures from around Bromsgrove commented on their hopes for the 1990s.

Among the hopes were increased tourism for the town, an abolishment of the Poll Tax, and predicted improvements to the Worcester Road end of Bromsgrove High Street.

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.