Memory Lane

THE Messenger reported that Red Cross Day would be an occasion that would be long remembered.

It was reported the whole population of the district had enthusiastically rallied to the support of an institution which at that critical time, “ranks first among charitable organisations”.

Flags and bunting were displayed in Bromsgrove High Street from both businesses and houses.

Wounded soldiers also appeared at the event.

Through an auction, street collections, and support of Bromsgrove farmers, nearly £900 was raised.

In the Worcestershire and the War section the death of Lance Corporal Albert Allen, of the 6th Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry was reported.

The 26-year-old had enlisted in September 1914, and went on to active service earlier in 1915.

The section also reported on the deaths of Private Bert Fox, a Belbroughton man of the 4th Worcesters, and Thomas Baylis, who had just completed his engagement in the reserve of the Worcestershire Regiment.

Private Fox had been killed in action in Dardanelles, while Baylis had been killed in action in Rechebourg.

The Messenger also featured national news, with a report on an accident to the King.

King George had been inspecting troops in France when his horse, excited by cheers from the crowd, reared and fell.

The King was severely bruised, and had been “confined to his bed for the present”.

November 5, 1965.

A DISPUTE between the education committee and the planning committee would have to be settled by Worcestershire County Council, which would decide whether or not to permit a new school on green belt land in Bromsgrove.

The education committee wanted to build the school for children were learning difficulties at Rigby Hall, but the planning committee said it would be a violation of green belt policy.

Opinion was divided among Bromsgrove residents on the issue some arguing it was a secluded spot ideal for a school, while others felt the county council couldn’t bend the rules on the green belt issue.

A decision was expected that November.

ONLY 22 firearms had been handed into Bromsgrove police during a three month amnesty period.

Most were small arms, including 11 revolvers and eight pistols.

There was also a German army rifle and two .22 rifles.

DROITWICH Borough Council decided to ban BBC 2 television aerials from council house chimneys and walls, and approved housing committee recommendation tenants could erect their own aerials.

They had been given temporary permission to do so, before a piped system was introduced.

November 1, 1990.

BROMSGROVE’S sacked binmen faced a grim Christmas after losing the financial support of their union.

The 47 binmen, who were controversially sacked by Bromsgrove District Council earlier in 1990, had been told by officials from the National Union of Public Employees that they would be forced to end contributions from the hardship fund at the start of December.

It had been rumoured the sacked group had lost the support of their union – but it was explained money from the hardship fund was stopped after 26 weeks.

TRADERS in Worcester Road claimed they were losing customers because of the poor state of the pavement outside their shops.

Shopkeepers were planning to petition Bromsgrove District Council, and Hereford and Worcester County Council, for necessary repairs to be carried out.

Jenny Deighton, from Country House Pantry, said traders were very angry, and her shop was losing trade as residents preferred to walk on the other side of the road.

RESIDENTS in Rubery were celebrating the news the brakes were being put on some of the heavy lorries using the village’s narrow lanes.

People living in New Inns Lane and Callowbrook Lane had called in the police because they were fed up with the huge trucks continually using their roads.

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.