Memory Lane

THE employees at the clothing factory of Harries, Whitfield and Co in Aston Fields, ceased work and went on strike over a pay dispute.

An application for a war bonus had been made three weeks previous to the company, but had not been complied with.

The entire staff had been engaged since the outbreak of war, with overtime worked in all departments.

Although a war bonus had been requested, no action had been taken by the company, which led to the strike action.

At Bromsgrove Petty Sessions, Samuel Juggins, of Stourbridge Road, Catshill, was summoned for selling bread not at the correct weight.

Inspector Mobbs stated the small loaf he purchased for 4d was not weighed, and was found to be two ounces below that advertised.

The bench chairman commented, as it was war time, these were times when people, “poor people especially”, should have good weight.

Juggins received a fine.

Also at the sessions Frank Jones, of New Road, Sidemoor, was charged with stealing five hen eggs, value 7d, the property of Lizzie Deakin.

Mrs Deakin had went to the fowl house and discovered the defendant crawling on his hands and knees to steal the eggs.

Arrangement were made on what action would be taken, the chairman said.

IN the Worcestershire and the War section there were reports Private Bedford of Windsor Street, Private A Mander of Broad Street, and Sergeant William Startin of Brickyard Cottages, Rubery, had been wounded.

July 16, 1965.

A PROPOSAL to include a public restaurant as one of the features of the swimming baths under construction in School Drive, looked set to have been abandoned by Bromsgrove Urban District Council.

The Health Committee had reported that problems would arise during the winter, if there was simultaneous use of the kitchen facilities by one caterer operating a restaurant, and another providing for the needs of a gathering in the public hall.

The council followed the committee’s recommendation, and instead would pursue a snack bar facility.

AFTER a heavy increase of traffic at the Austin Works during peak periods, Bromsgrove Rural District councillors decided a slow sign would go up at a busy junction.

The sign was to be placed at the junction of Longbridge Lane with Nuthurst Road.

Cofton Parish Council stated a halt sign was what was really needed.

July 19, 1990.

FEARS were growing that rubbish on Bromsgrove streets was becoming a major public health hazard.

Maggot infested dustbins and refuse sacks being ripped apart by rats were among the complaints, as a binmen dispute entered its fourth week.

Binmen had been sacked by the authority, and their replacements service was criticised by residents who said their bins had not been emptied for weeks.

THE issue of the sacking dominated the pages of the Advertiser, with a number of letters for and against the council’s action.

Rodney Bickerstaffe, the general secretary of the National Union of Public Employees, called for the Conservative leader of the authority, Margaret Taylor, to reinstate the binmen.

But Councillor Taylor remained adamant the sacked men would not return to work, pointing out they would then have to sack their replacements.

Meanwhile the wives of the sacked Bromsgrove binmen formed an action in support of their husbands.

The women said it had come as a shock, and had set up a collection of food and money, to support their families.

RUBERY Carnival raised an impressive £2,000 for local charities – its second highest total ever.

Despite only seven floats turning up, crowds lined the streets and the village was brought to a standstill as carnival fever took over.

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.