Memory Lane

IN the Worcestershire and the War section an extract from a letter from Senior Quartermaster George Duttoon, of the 2nd Staffs, was published.

The letter had been written to his father who lived in Belbroughton.

He wrote: “I’m still alive and kicking and looking forward to the time when I can come home again on leave.

“I dare say you are often thinking about when the war will be over, but you must wait patiently; it is a big job.

“I think about August will see the finish of it.”

PRIVATE Stevens, of the 75th Company 8th Division Ammunition Park - writing from France to a friend at Bromsgrove - gave an account of the trouble motor transport drivers experienced.

He wrote: “Our risk is aeroplanes, which visit us quite regularly.

“Before Christmas one paid us a visit where we were stationed; dropped two bombs and fled.

“That was the nearest I have been to a bomb.”

AT a meeting of Worcestershire Football Association, held in Droitwich, the secretary read a letter from the Football Association.

It called attention to the effort being made to raise a footballers’ battalion for active service.

An idea had developed abroad that a certain section of footballers were not coming forward to enlist.

Member Mr Harper said many footballers had already gone, others a little later, and suggested people should turn their attentions to horse racing and other sports.

ALVECHURCH Horse Show was cancelled.

At its annual meeting of the Horse Show Society, the chairman told those gathered that in consideration of the great demands made by the war, the show was not to be held in 1915.

A vote was taken and the decision was passed unanimously.

AT Droitwich Petty Sessions, Albert Rawstron, of Westcroft Street, Newtown, was charged with being drunk in Worcester Road.

Sergeant James said he saw the defendant staggering, and then fall off the footpath into the middle of the road.

Defendant was fined 2s 6d and costs of 4s.

February 26, 1965.

STEPS were being taken to organise local support for a fund commemorating the late Sir Winston Churchill.

Bromsgrove Urban and Rural councils were set to make donations, while a house-to-house collection had been arranged.

Among the organisations collecting money was the British Legion - men’s and women’s sections, the Conservative Association, the Parish Councils and churches.

MEMBERS of staff at the Midland Red bus company were meeting to decide whether to go out on strike for a sixth Saturday in a row.

If a strike was called, the Chamber of Trade would be running another free coach service.

The dispute was over a proposed ban on overtime which, if carried through, could result in many employees losing a third of their wages.

BROMSGROVE Chamber of Trade discussed whether to introduce special illuminations in the main street at Christmas.

The urban district council was to be asked for an estimate of the cost of a scheme, and a special meeting of High Street traders was to be called to discuss the plan.

BROMSGROVE magistrates reminded residents that vehicles with a maximum speed of less than 20mph were excluded from using motorways.

The warning had been issued after the driver of a mobile crane, limited to 12mph, was fined for travelling on the M5.

WORCESTER City and County Fire Protection Association held its annual dinner at the Perry Hall hotel in Bromsgrove.

Mr Higson, regional chairman of the British Insurance Association, said associations like theirs played a vital part in the fight against fire and he would like to see more formed.

During the meeting it was pointed out that during 1964 fire loss had officially cost £76 million, but it was estimated the overall cost to the community could be at least £200 million.

DROITWICH councillors wrote a strongly worded letter to the contractors in charge of the Droitwich Canal Scheme.

The letter highlighted the slow progress, pointing out there had been no progress on the construction of a new brine reservoir.

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.