NEWS that Pt B Twigg of the Worcestershire Yeomanry had been seriously injured fighting the Boers had got back to his family in Bromsgrove.

100 years ago

October 13, 1900

Worcestershire Yeomanry had been seriously injured fighting the Boers had got back to his family in Bromsgrove. Before the war he had worked for Lloyds Bank in the town and had also played for Bromsgrove Hockey Club.

THE dust had finally settled in Bromsgrove and Droitwich Spa following last Thursday's General Election which saw Unionist candidate Mr R Martin returned in the Mid-Worcestershire constituency. One of the brighter aspects of what had been rather a dull campaign in Droitwich Spa was when a prize bull, plastered all over with posters, was paraded through the town urging folk to vote for the Liberal candidate, Mr Harmsworth.

A PROBLEM which had taxed the minds of a generation of town councillors looked like being solved. Bromsgrove's new market hall would be built in the centre of town, probably near the present town hall which many wanted to see demolished. The new building might include lock up shops which would help pay off the debt incurred building it.

ABSENTEEISM at schools in Bromsgrove, presently running at 20 in every 100 pupils, was a major cause of concern. The authorities were debating whether to change the bylaw relating to non-attendance which would see fines rising from 5s (25p) to £1 and the raising of the school leaving age from 13 to 14.

THE vicar of St John's Parish Church, in Bromsgrove, the Rev E Vine Hall, had come up with an idea to aim his sermons throughout November at the working man. He said they would be on popular subjects and wanted men to send him details of their concerns, frustrations and temptations so he could preach about them.

WILLIAM Wythes, of Droit-wich Spa, found himself in front of Bromsgrove magistrates charged with being drunk in charge of a horse in Brickhouse Lane, Stoke Prior. PC Meade told the bench both man and horse were in the brook when he found them and it took Wythes 30 minutes to get the unfortunate animal out. "I was wet outside, but not aware of being wet inside," Wythes joked to magistrates who failed to be amused and fined him 5s (25p) plus 12s (70p) costs

50 years ago

October 14, 1950

PARENTS in Bromsgrove were given a pat on the back by school attendance officer Mr Levett. There had only been one prosecution during the past year. However, at present, 50 youngsters were off school hop picking. Parents were warned that next year the authorities would crack down on them.

NEWLY introduced car park charges were driving customers away from Bromsgrove -- the town's Chamber of Trade declared. Members this week presented the Bromsgrove District Council with a petition calling for them to be scrapped.

DIANA, wife of Bromsgrove's MP, Michael Higgs, died in hospital, in Birmingham. She was 34. The couple, who lived in Middlefield Lane, Hagley, had married in 1936 and had two children.

IN common with other local authorities, Bromsgrove Urb-an and Rural District Councils were having trouble recruiting dustmen -- despite recent pay rises. In rural areas of Bromsgrove less frequent collections were in prospect while some businesses in town were advised simply to get more bins.

A QUICK look at the advertisement columns in The Messenger showed Finstall Youth Club was holding its annual dance at Harris brushworks, admission was 4s (20p) and Imperial Motorways, of Dro-itwich, was running a four-day Christmas trip by air to Paris for £21. And a boxing match was being arranged at the Drill Hall.

25 years ago

October 10, 1975

VANDALS were causing havoc at Stoke Prior where damage put at £600 had been caused to the village's four playing fields in recent months. A suggestion that a warden be employed to patrol the fields had been turned down by the parish council.

THREE Bromsgrove policemen, Peter Beddows, Kenneth Lewis and Allan Cox, were commended by West Mercia Constabulary's chief constable, Alex Rennie, for their bravery when arresting two men in High Street who were believed to have been armed.

ONE of the most popular attractions at North Bromsgrove High School fete, which raised £960, was a cockroach derby.

FOURTEEN Bromsgrove GPs took the unusual step of writing collectively to The Messenger urging action should be taken to solve the town's traffic problem. They said lives could be lost during the 15 minutes or so it took to drive through town to the Cottage Hospital.

BROMSGROVE'S planners to-ok the unprecedented step of agreeing that flats could be built in Barnt Green. But councillors made it clear they must be in keeping with other properties.