Memory Lane

AT Bromsgrove Rural District Council it was reported that during January 1915 there had been 27 births, 18 deaths.

There were two infant deaths caused by pneumonia, while two deaths were due to tuberculosis.

Four cases of diphtheria and two of scarlet fever had also been reported to Dr Coaker, the medical officer of health.

A rumour had been circulating around the town that the Belgium refugees who were now living in Bromsgrove had introduced a bad type of measles.

Medical office of health Dr Cameron Kidd made a statement saying there was no truth in this suspicion – in fact it was reported not one of the Belgiums had had the measles.

IN the Worcestershire and the War section it was reported a Bromsgrove man had been honoured with a mention in Sir John French’s despatch publication.

Corporal RH Holyoake of Royal Engineers, the son of Frank Holyoake of College Road, was serving as a motorcycle despatch rider and appeared in Sir John’s list.

BROMSGROVE Rovers' terrible run in the Birmingham Combination had continued when they conceded what the Messenger described as an “avalanche of goals” against Cradley Heath.

Cradley were leading 3-0 at half time, but in the second half “goal after goal was added”. The final score was 12-0.

Rovers were bottom of the division, having won just two matches and lost 16.

February 19, 1965.

WHILE Bromsgrove Midland Red crews went on strike for a fourth week on Saturdays, the latest day had not been bus-less.

A “freedom” bus, run by the Chamber of Trade, had been operating and running around the district.

The 41 seater coach carried 200 on the day, charging nothing to passengers.

The scheme was going to run the following Saturday, as strike action continued.

NORMAL working resumed at the Austin Motor Works on the Wednesday lunchtime after two separate pay disputes halted production of a number of BMC cars.

Engine shop workers and assembly workers complained that they had been left behind by other sections.

Although the unofficial strikes were called off, the matter was to be discussed and resolved.

A TRAIN travelling at around 50mph jumped the rails at Dunhampstead, near Droitwich.

The crew escaped injury when the 12 vans of the Bristol to Derby parcels train crashed in a cutting on the line between Stoke Works and Norton Junction.

Services were diverted through Droitwich and Worcester while heavy lifting equipment from Birmingham and Bristol righted the vans.

A British Rail spokesman said hardly anyone living nearby would have known there had been an accident.

February 22, 1990.

BROMSGROVE District Council was to fight a Government proposal that an extra 400 homes be built in the town, losing green belt land.

The proposals had been announced by Secretary of State for the Environment, as part of alterations to the Hereford and Worcester County Structure Plan, determining the housing need throughout the county.

Councillor Mike Woolley said: “The previous total of 5,800 was far too many houses to absorb, but the extra number is well beyond the realms of Bromsgrove.

“Bromsgrove is in danger of losing its identity.”

BROMSGROVE residents voted overwhelming against the opting out of the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch in a survey carried out by the Labour Party.

A project team had been meeting for three months looking into the possibility of the Alex – the general hospital serving the town –becoming self governing.

The Labour Party carried out the referendum after Conservatives refused to give residents a vote.

A total of 6,812 people were surveyed, and 96 per cent of those who returned ballots voted against the plan.

A VILLAGE school had been threatened with closure after a plan to develop more that 20 family homes in Belbroughton was rejected.

Bromsgrove planners had refused the application from Coxes Homes.

Councillor Pat Barnsley said without these type of homes, Belbroughton First School would eventually have to be shut down.

Cllr Barnsley added that she was distressed as the village was “in need of these type of houses”.

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.