Memory Lane

A CEREMONY took place at a meeting of the British Queen Lodge, held at Oddfellows Hall in Bromsgrove.

Ordinary business was suspended for half an hour for the purpose of unveiling a framed engraved roll of honour, comprising the names of 60 members of the lodge serving with the forces.

The unveiling ceremony was performed by Brother G H Strain.

BROMSGROVE Horse and Pleasure Fair was held.

Although mainly taking place on the Recreation Ground, the sale of horses took place principally in Church Street and Market Street.

The crowd in attendance was not up to the same number as previous years, but the Messenger pointed out this would be due to the special circumstances of the war.

IN the Worcestershire and the War section, it was reported two Sidemoor men had died.

Private Donald Stanton of the 3rd Worcesters had been killed while in the action.

The 18-year-old had enlisted the previous September, having worked at Victor Drury’s boot factory.

Meanwhile, it was also reported Private Ernest George Hodgkiss, of the 4th Worcesters, was killed in action with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force.

Hodgkiss, of Melbourne Road, was only 21-years-old and had previously worked as a wagon repairer before enlisting.

June 25, 1965.

A SHORTAGE of hotel accommodation in Bromsgrove was stressed at a planning inquiry into whether Barnt Green House should be converted into a private hotel.

Bromsgrove Urban District Council had refused the plan, and 400 residents opposed the scheme.

During the inquiry, which had still not reached its conclusion, the inspector asked whether there was a need for hotel accommodation, and about the damage to the green belt.

BROMSGROVE Court Leet Midsummer Fair Day had proved a success.

It included a special procession, and fairground rides including the caterpillar, the paratrooper, the dodgems and shies.

A FANCY dress parade was the highlight of a fete held at Gannow School, Rubery.

More than 500 people attended, with headmaster JR Saut describing the event as a very good day, that raised more than £140.

June 28, 1990.

BROMSGROVE District council officers had sacked 33 binmen following a dispute.

The dispute started when binmen claimed they had been blackmailed into signing new contracts.

The men said contracts required them to work harder for less money, and lose £50 on sick days.

Management said the binmen had sacked themselves, as they had broke their contract.

District council officials announced they had almost finished recruiting replacements for the 33 sacked.

YOUNG newshounds had produced the first edition of a school newspaper.

St Andrew’s School’s newspaper was called the St Andrew’s Announcer and had been described as a tiny tabloid filled with news, views, and pictures.

DROITWICH residents were planning one of the biggest, and longest, fundraising events in the town’s history.

To coincide with Telethon, a 24-hour entertainment spectacular was being held at King George’s Playing Fields.

Preparations were already underway with plans for it to include a toy auction.

A BIG shake up of Bromsgrove’s police force was underway.

One of the biggest changes under the new drive, would see the Hagley area move from Kidderminster to Bromsgrove control.

It was part of a scheme to have main areas nationally, each containing 500 officers.

A BROMSGROVE pressure group’s campaign against animal abuse had been a hit, but a cash crisis looked like it would result in them leaving its town headquarters.

Support for Bromsgrove Animal Aid had reached new highs, but the group was in desperate need of donations that if not received, it would be forced to leave its office base in Hanover 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.