TWO Droitwich soldiers, who had been invalided home from the war in South Africa, took part in a procession at Droitwich horticultural show held in Brine Baths Park, courtesy of John Corbett.

100 years ago

August 11, 1900

TWO Droitwich soldiers, who had been invalided home from the war in South Africa, took part in a procession at Droitwich horticultural show held in Brine Baths Park, courtesy of John Corbett. They were Cpl Gwillam and Pt Bourne. The show was a huge success and honorary exhibits were sent in by, among other notable people, Mr Corbett, from Impney, and Lord and Dowager Hindlip.

BROMSGROVE police opted for an outing this year rather than an annual dinner. Two superintendents, two sergeants and 11 constables enjoyed a trip to Bewdley and Arley.

THE August Bank Holiday was a dreary failure owing to the weather which was cold and wet. The big event on Monday, the town's cycle club sports day, was postponed until Thursday when it went ahead in conditions little better than had prevailed on Monday. So far this year the summer had been confined to three weeks of intense heat.

THE Guardians at Bromsgrove Workhouse were considering a government report which attempted to point the way forward to a more caring and humane attitude in the treatment of paupers.

Out would go the old 'barrack' style accommodation, children would be put into cottage homes and poor folk, who had attempted to be thrifty and put a little money aside for their old age, would be rewarded by being given a few special privileges in the institution.

WHEN a drunken Walter Sankey, of the Holloway, picked a fight with his sister in Hanbury Street, Droitwich, he never imagined it would result in him being hauled before Spa magistrates. They fined him 1s (5p) or in default 14 days' jail. He was also bound over to keep the peace for a year.

50 years ago

August 12, 1950

Road, Bromsgrove, met with a nasty accident while climbing a tree at the back of the Food Office, in Beech Tree House, The Strand. He fell, causing a branch to penetrate his groin behind his stomach. The plucky lad, in great pain, made his way home from where his mother summoned the ambulance to take him to the Cottage Hospital. He was operated on immediately and was later said to be comfortable.

A CROWD of around 3,500 turned up at the BYO Ground, in New Road, Bromsgrove, on Bank Holiday Monday. A feature of the event was a 13-event match between athletes from Worcestershire and Glouce-stershire. The home team lost.

THE friendly Midland Red bus company took an advert in the Messenger for its holidays in resorts as far away as Scotland and Cornwall. The cost, a mere two-and-a-half guineas (£272.05p) a day, all in.

AS usual the Lickey Hills attracted many thousands of visitors over the holiday weekend. However, the crowds were not as large as in previous years now petrol was off ration and people tended to travel further. On Monday, buses from Birmingham, en route to Malvern, were travelling through Bromsgrove at the rate of 50 an hour.

COFTON pool had been bought by Birmingham City Transport Social and Athletic Society for use by its angling members. The pool had been bought in the spring by a group of residents for £1,105.

25 years ago

August 8, 1975

er. That was the view of chip shop owners in Bromsgrove who were being forced to pay £6 for a 56lb bag of potatoes. Harry Griffiths, from the Sidemoor chippie, said he was charging 10p a bag and he could not see it ever dropping below that figure again. Gil Wheeler, who had a shop in Worcester Road, said he was not making a penny profit on his chips.

A PLAN to 'name and shame' scruffy shops and businesses in Bromsgrove met with strong opposition from those concerned. The list had been drawn up by the district council in a bid to get owners to act. John Skett, landlord of the Dog and Pheasant pub, in Worcester Road, one of the businesses named, said he planned to complain to town MP Hal Miller.

A WARNING that soon only articulate middle class pupils would be attending North Bromsgrove High School was made by Labour councillor Neil Homes. He said parents believing it was superior to South were deliberately sending their children to schools feeding into North.

SWINGEING cuts in public spending would mean a long-awaited day centre, set to be built next year in Chapel Lane, Bromsgrove, would not now go-ahead. Other social services in the town would also be hit.