CONSCIENTIOUS objector Frederick Cullupp, a signalman from Stoke Works, successfully applied to Droitwich magistrates for his daughter to be exempted from compulsory vaccination.

100 years ago

September 1, 1900

CONSCIENTIOUS objector Frederick Cullupp, a signalman from Stoke Works, successfully applied to Droitwich magistrates for his daughter to be exempted from compulsory vaccination. Reluctantly agreeing to his request, the chairman of the bench said it was "cruel to the child and public."

JOSIAH Dyer, from Sidemoor, was fined 5s (25p) by Bromsgrove magistrates for failing to send his daughter to school regularly. His wife told the court her husband was ill and not likely to work again and her children, who were able, had to go out to work to keep them all. Imposing the fine, the chairman said her stance was "sheer obstinacy."

DRUNKENNESS in Bromsgrove during the past year was up compared to same time last year. The town's police courts had dealt with 114 cases compared to 79, which was way below the ten year average. Presently the town had 73 licensed premises for a population of 16,000.

THE WORCESTERSHIRE Regiment was to embark on a county-wide recruitment drive. A detachment would march through Droitwich Spa on September 17 and Bromsgrove the following day.

A GLIMPSE of life as a cavalryman fighting the Boers in South Africa was revealed in a letter from Cpl Haime, of Bromsgrove, to his family. He had just got back in the saddle after an attack of dysentery and had bought an expensive, 2/9 bottle of Enos Frut Salts as a pick-me-up. He said he did not need food parcels sent out as ostrich eggs were plentiful and cheap at 6d (2.5p) each and his vests would last until he came home on leave. Sadly, it was later learned he had been struck down with enteric fever and had been confined to his bed from May 20 to July 1.

CATSHILL schools' annual treat and sports had been washed out by heavy rain. However, kindly Miss Whitehouse had invited the pupils, staff and friends to spend an evening at Fockbury House which, it was said, would be long remembered by one and all.

50 years ago

September 2, 1950

MEN traditionally took top honours at horticultural shows, but it was two females who swept the board at Rubery and Burcot this week. Brenda Bratt, aged 19, from Lickey End won 23 classes at Burcot while schoolgirl Jean Cotterell, from School Road, won the prestigious trophy for the most outstanding exhibit at Rubery.

REMINISCENT of the dark days of war, the Ministry of Food put a large notice in the Messenger advising housewives on ways of serving their families puddings without using sugar, which was very scarce. Condensed milk and black treacle were good substitutes in junkets and milk drinks, it said.

WOODCOTE naturalist and Messenger columnist Fred Fincher had found two rarities this week. The first was an all white moorhen at a farm at Wychbold. His second find, a two-inch long Deathshead Hawkmoth at a shop in Bromsgrove, was the first live specimen he had ever seen.

A QUICK look at the adverts in the Messenger revealed Norman Vine, in Worcester Road, had Berketex dresses on sale at 89s 6d (£2.47.5). Bromsgrove council was seeking a sweeper driver at 2s 6d (12.5p) per hour. And arrangements were being made to mark Battle of Britain Week in Bromsgrove. Among the events were various whist drives, a reunion at the Roe Buck pub, in Bromsgrove, and a dance at Harris Brushworks canteen.

25 years ago

August 29, 1975

THE first Worcestershire Matchplay Championship to be held since the war was played at Blackwell Golf Course at the weekend. It was won by Terry Shingles, from Blackwell.

A PLASTIC bag containing numerous pieces of Roman porcelain was found in the Crabmill pub in Birmingham Road, Bromsgrove. They were being kept under lock and key at the police station until the owner was traced.

A PLAN to build homes at Rubery to accommodate overspill families from Birmingham was worrying county archaeologists. They were concerned that the site was too close to Gannow Manor Farm, which was an ancient monument. Bromsgrove planners, however, this week refused permission for 256 houses and 40 bungalows to be built at Littleheath Farm, Lickey End.

A 250-year-old-barn and 15 tons of hay and straw were destroyed in a blaze at Red Cross Farm, in Perryfields Road, Bromsgrove, run by sisters Anne and Phyllis Webb.

CONSERVATIONISTS were battling to save six derelict nailshops situated behind a row of old cottages in Birmingham Road, Bromsgrove, from being bulldozed. Planners had given the go-ahead for two houses to be built in their place.