Memory Lane

IN the Worcestershire and the War section there were reports of deaths of county servicemen.

Among them was Private F Perrygrove of the 8th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment.

The Worcester Street resident had died from wounds he received in action.

The 18-year-old died in a hospital in Boulogne.

It was also reported Droitwich man Corporal George Huband, of the 2nd King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, had been killed in action.

Before the outbreak of war he had been a Cutnall Green postman.

AROUND 200 wounded soldiers, sailors as well as nurses were entertained at Badminton’s Court, in Barnt Green, by invitation of the Earl of Plymouth and Women’s Volunteer Reserve.

The event was organised by Ernest Thomas, organising secretary of the Navy League, and wounded men attended from the Birmingham Ear and Throat Hospital, the Eye Hospital, the Bearwood Red Cross Hospital, Hill Creast Hospital and the Queen’s Hospital.

AT Bromsgrove Board of Guardians, Mr T Weaver complained about the number of tramps, at a time when so much labour was wanted.

A debate went on, with Mr Leadbetter suggesting it was a matter for the government than the guardians.

Mr Weaver argued it was more a matter for ratepayers.

May 28, 1965.

THE Messenger reported on the prophetic comments of AW Grant, of Rubery, moments after being re-elected chairman of Bromsgrove Urban District Council.

While being re-elected Mr Grant declared he may be sitting as chairman in the hottest seat in the council chamber.

Within minutes he had proved to be a prophet as three times he was given a casting vote to decide whether a Labour member or a Conservative one should represent the council on school governing bodies.

The casting vote had to be needed as Labour held control of the council by 11 members to 10 but as one of their group was unable to attend, leading to votes being tied.

PLANS to preserve the centre of Bromsgrove as a traffic free shopping area were unveiled.

The plans were explained at a joint conference given by county and Bromsgrove Urban District Council representatives at the Council House.

The plan was for relief roads to carry cars and lorries around the traders premises.

The councils had been forced to develop a new plan as it was now assumed road traffic would double within 10 years and treble in 20, and the old idea of using High Street as a one way system was no longer adequate or safe.

As part of the scheme at The Strand, a bus station was to be developed next to the Midland Red Garage.

May 31, 1990.

BROMSGROVE residents were warned to cut down on their use of water after getting through a ‘colossal’ amount.

The call to save water had been made by the East Worcestershire Water Company that was monitoring the situation in a bid to avoid serious supply problems.

There was a fear of shortage as spring had been drier than the previous year, when a below average rainfall led to water restrictions.

A BROMSGROVE developer defended his proposal to build houses on Beacon Hill, an area Bromsgrove District Council was campaigning to protect.

William Suddock, of Birmingham Road, who had appealed against the council’s refusal of planning permission for housing on land adjoining Beacon Hill, believed he would win the case.

District councillor for Rubery, Nick Psirides, said the council was attempting to get the land designated as green belt.

POLICE had warned it would be 'finders keepers', if bikes handed into the station were not claimed.

More than a dozen valuable bikes had been handed into Bromsgrove, Rubery and Droitwich police each month, but officers were baffled as to why many were not claimed.

Some of the bikes were worth around £500.

Bikes left for a month were first offered to the finders, and then auctioned off to raise money for central government funds.

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.