Memory Lane

THE Messenger reported a disastrous fire had hit Bromsgrove’s button factory.

The factory, owned by Sanders and sons, was partially gutted and valuable machinery was destroyed.

It was hoped a number of the workforce would be kept on and new staff employed with new machinery fitted.

AT Bromsgrove Petty Sessions, Herbert Cheshire of Heath Green Road, Winson Green, was charged with driving a motor cycle on Birmingham Road, Marlbrook, at a speed considered dangerous to the public.

PC Stafford proved the case saying he saw the defendant travelling at 40mph – evidence that could be corroborated by two witnesses.

Cheshire was fined 20s and 5s for witnesses’ expenses.

IN the Worcestershire and the War section it was reported that Private C Juggins, of Park Gate, Kidderminster Road, had been killed in action in France.

In a letter Corporal George Hayden said he was hit while in the trenches, when he was about to make tea.

He wrote: “All of my platoon, especially my own section, deeply sympathise with you all in your sad loss for he was both a good and brave comrade and soldier, well liked by all of us.”

It was also reported Private Peplow, of the 8th Worcesters, - a Bewell Head resident - had sustained a gunshot wound in the right cheek, and was in hospital in Versailles, France.

October 8, 1965.

CAMERAS and binoculars worth £2,341 were stolen by thieves who raided a Jim Harrison’s Bromsgrove shop.

In the overnight raid around 40 cameras were stolen. It was a thought a thin man, possible even a child, had been involved in the raid as they would have needed to sneak through a small gap to gain entry.

THE bravery of Norman James Wood, of Barrington Road, Rubery, had been recognised with an award.

Norman had dived into the River Avon in Evesham to rescue a girl, one of two who had fallen from a canoe.

The girl had swam to aid the other when the canoe overturned. Norman, aged 15, swam to aid them both but realised attempts to help one of the girls was impossible as she twice went under, so he assisted the other to safety.

Sadly the second girl drowned.

The Royal Human Society’s committee unanimously agreed to award Norman a certificate, which was signed by the Queen as patron of the society.

October 4, 1990.

THE sacked Bromsgrove binmen had snubbed a council call to reapply for their jobs – with only four of the 47 taking up the offer.

The issue had become a long running saga after the 47 men were sacked just two hours after striking over the terms of their new contracts.

The authority’s chief executive Bob Bradshaw described the response as very disappointing and strongly denied claims applications had been targeted to keep out the leaders of the strike.

A SHOCK decision to allow building on a Lickey Hills beauty spot had left residents stunned.

Department of the Environment chiefs had overturned a veto by Bromsgrove planners on development at the foot of Beacon Hill.

Local environment watchdogs feared it could open the way to a flood of housing schemes in the area.

A GANG wearing monster masks and balaclavas terrorised the occupants of two cars in an early morning attack in a car park at Nimmings Wood, Clent.

In both no commands had been made for money, though two men were punched and kicked, and a car’s windscreen was smashed.

MORE than 1,000 canines had made the third Bromsgrove Dog Show a success that had helped boost the coffers of local charities. 

The annual event at Little Royal Farm in Belbroughton raised more than £500 for the Flying Doctors charity, as well as Bromsgrove General Hospital.

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.