WITH the soft fruit season now in full swing, the courts would be kept busy during the next few weeks dealing with what Bromsgrove's police chief, Supt Jeffreys, called "fruit picking nuisances" -- travelling casual workers.

100 years ago

July 21, 1900

WITH the soft fruit season now in full swing, the courts would be kept busy during the next few weeks dealing with what Bromsgrove's police chief, Supt Jeffreys, called "fruit picking nuisances" -- travelling casual workers. Alice Dyer, a pea-picker from Kidderminster, was fined 2s 6d (12.5p) plus 4s (20p) costs by Bromsgrove magistrates this week after being found lying down drunk in the Strand and using foul language. If she failed to pay she would go to jail for a week's hard labour.

STABLES which belonged to Bromsgrove's medical officer, Dr Kidd, were struck by a lightning bolt during a severe storm. It caused a sudden rush of soot, which covered everything in the harness room. At the college in the town, a bolt exploded three feet above the playground. Several boys who were sheltering in the playshed witnessed the terrifying spectacle.

AN inquest into the death of a man working in a hayfield belonging to Mr Westwood, of Moorhall, Belbroughton, concluded he died as a result of the heat.

THE present heatwave was also thought to have been the cause of a nasty accident which befell Mr Robinson, a shopkeeper in the Strand, Bromsgrove. While serving a customer, a ginger beer bottle suddenly exploded. It shattered him with glass which resulted in him losing a large amount of blood. A doctor was called but his injuries were found not to be serious.

THE mayor of Droitwich called a public meeting to discuss how the Spa should celebrate the end of the South African war, when peace finally came. A committee was set up, but it was generally agreed the children should be treated to some form of entertainment.

THE Messenger carried an advert for the Coach and Horses pub, in Bromsgrove, which had a full time vacancy for a 16-year-old to act as a billiard marker.

50 years ago

July 22, 1950

trainer Fred Rimell and a lorry driver from Worcester were fined £10 and £5 respectively by Droitwich Spa magistrates following a four-vehicle accident they were involved in at Rashwood in May. Rimell, his wife and a jockey had been en route to Birmingham Races at the time.

FARMERS in the area were praying for a spell of good weather following the heavy rain which had spoiled what promised to be a bumper harvest. The Messenger remarked that the new combine harvesters which were becoming more familiar than the old type reaping machines might do a better job of lifting battered down corn.

THE church at Dodford was packed for the funeral of Frank Cornes who had farmed at Battlefield Farm, Park Gate, since 1923. It was said he had more friends than he knew. He had been involved in many organisations including Rotary, Court Leet and the Scout movement. He was 57.

A LOOK at some of the prices at Bromsgrove's produce market showed strawberries made 1s 5d (7p) per lb, cucumbers 11d (4.5p) each, ferrets 7s 6d (37.5p) each and new potatoes 16s (£1.30) per hundredweight.

SIX-YEAR-OLD Judith Rowley, from The Avenue, Rubery, was taken to Bromsgrove Cottage Hospital suffering from a broken leg. She had been knocked down on a cycle speedway track which had been made on former tennis courts in Callowbrook Lane. The riders were not in an official league but had been engaged in a practice race at the time of the accident.

25 years ago

July 18, 1975

large number of people turned out to greet Crossroads character Wilf Harvey when he opened Stoke and Hanbury Royal British Legion fete. The event raised £500.

A BUFFET party for more than 100 guests was held at Perry Hall Hotel, Bromsgrove, to mark the retirement of teacher Eric Drury from what is now North Bromsgrove High School. Mr Drury was the senior maths teacher. His association with the school began in 1937 when it was the County High School, in Stourbridge Road.

NICK Earle, Bromsgrove School headmaster, dropped a bombshell when he announced that girls would be admitted to the Junior School. Their numbers would not be allowed to rise above one third of the annual intake and no suitably qualified boy would be denied a place in favour of a girl. Girls were already taken into the sixth form.

BROMSGROVE Rovers were back in training this week. Manager Wilf Grant had arranged friendly games against West Brom and Shrewsbury.

A PLAQUE in a memorial garden dedicated to Mr H Munnings, former headteacher at Waseley Hills High School, who died in a road accident in 1972, was unveiled. Mr Munnings left the school £1,000 and a verse suggesting how it might be spent. The money was used to create the garden.