Memory Lane

IN the Worcestershire and the War section the Messenger reported on the death of sailor Ordinary Signalman William Gower.

His mother, a resident of The Shrubbery, had received a notice of her son’s death as the result of an explosion on the ship he was serving.

The deceased was 20-years-old and before enlisting had been a postman.

The Messenger also reported on the death of Private Parry, the son of Arthur Parry of Windsor Square.

He had joined the army on August 10, 1914, and a year exactly to this date he had been killed.

He served in the signalling section of the 9th Worcesters.

AT Bromsgrove Petty Sessions, John Stanford, a farmer of Monsieur’s Hall Farm, was charged with allowing bullocks and heifers to stray in Timberhonger Lane.

The defendant said many gaps had been in the hedges of the field where he had placed the animals due to an extensive felling of timber – and the hurdles and wood he had repaired gaps with were continually being stolen.

He also argued the animals had only wandered through to another of his fields.

Stanford was ordered to pay costs of 4s 6d.

September 10, 1965.

A 42-year-old American Professor moved into a house in New Road, Bromsgrove, fulfilling a promise he had made to himself at the end of the Second World War.

Gibson Byrd was a turret gunner in the war and was stationed in Suffolk for seven months. During that period he promised himself if he had the chance to make a return visit he would take it.

Mr Byrd heard off Mr Erik Forrester who lived in the New Road property and who was willing to swap jobs and houses for a year.

The exchange had taken place with both the Byrd and Forrester families now adjusting to life in new countries.

THE Messenger reported that although numbers were up at Finstall’s annual flower and vegetable show, most of the top awards had been taken by previous winners.

The event was held at a newly-decorated village hall.

Among the winners was JV Wilson, of Dusthouse Lane, who reported her success of 1964 by winning the challenge cup for most points.

MEMBERS of the Avoncroft Folk Dance Group travelled to Denmark where they displayed English dances to various audiences.

The Dutch hospitality was described as wonderful, and their visit ended with a luncheon party attended by hundreds, with members then walking through Middelfart as part of a procession, pausing for a half an hour of dancing.

September 13, 1990.

A BROMSGROVE sheep farmer whose truck was ambushed by the French vowed to continue carrying on exporting his livestock across the channel.

Dean Wood of Marlbrook was forced to hide among trees after French farmers set up a road block.

He decided to hide as two weeks earlier another driver working for the same export company had seen his 220 animals burnt alive.

Mr Wood said he would continue making deliveries three times a week, despite the actions of the French farmers who were against British sheep imports.

THREE waterways in Bromsgrove were to be given main river status to prevent further flooding in the town.

But the district council’s health and housing committee expressed concern it could curtail further possible development of the Market Hall site.

The National Rivers Authority was looking to upgrade River Salwarpe, Sugar Brook and the Spadesbourne Brook.

A BOUNDARY shake up proposed creating five new parish councils in Bromsgrove.

Barnt Green, Bournheath, Catshill, Finstall, and Lickey were all being recommended by Bromsgrove District Council as areas to set up new councils as part of a review of parish boundaries.

But the plan had received a mixed reaction.

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.