THE post office in Bromsgrove was urging residents to post early for Christmas and, in any event, as early on December 24 as possible to ensure local delivery on Christmas Day.

100 years ago

December 22, 1900

THE post office in Bromsgrove was urging residents to post early for Christmas and, in any event, as early on December 24 as possible to ensure local delivery on Christmas Day. At the town's main post office, Sunday opening hours would apply. It would close at noon on Boxing Day.

DROITWICH Spa MP Mr Martin, with his usual benevolence, gave every female tenant of the Coventry Almshouses half a pound of tea and a pound of sugar. Each man received six ounces of tobacco.

MRS W Watton, of High Street, Bromsgrove, received a letter from her brother, Grenadier guardsman Sgt Penrice, who was fighting the Boers in South Africa and who was leading something of a charmed life. He recently had part of a finger and his knuckles blown off but had not reported it and was treating himself. The previous week, he said, a bullet struck his thumb and another ripped harmlessly through his clothing.

LORD Windsor entertained a party of friends to a two-day shoot on the Hewell estate and in Brockhill Woods. The guns accounted for some 1,300 pheasants, 11 hares, 16 rabbits, a partridge and a moorhen.

THE jury at Birmingham Assizes heard a plea from Tamworth woman Sarah Cockram, who was suing Rubery barman Albert Wileman for breach of promise. Wileman, who was employed at the Cock Inn, had refused to marry Miss Cockram who was described in court as a "lady of considerable attraction," after the arrangements had been made. The jury found him guilty and ordered him to pay hefty £50 damages.

50 years ago

December 23, 1950

THE electricity company's need to conserve precious coal stocks hit Bromsgrove district on Wednesday when it pulled the plug to black out most of High Street. Shopkeepers had to resort to candles and gas lamps as customers struggled to do their Christmas shopping.

PAST and present boys from Finstall Park School, Bromsgrove, gathered to say farewell to headteacher Mr Waller, who was retiring after 25 years. He was presented with a cheque and two armchairs.

SCHOOL leavers in Droitwich Spa would in future be able to get advice on getting a job. Worcestershire County Council, which was now responsible for giving careers advice to the 4,000 youngsters who left school every year, was to open a part-time bureau in the town.

HANBURY resident Samuel Wilson died, aged 83. For many years he had been involved in numerous aspects of village life including farming, council affairs and church activities.

FOLK in Bromsgrove and Droitwich Spa were preparing to enjoy the festivities -- despite the current hardships such as rocketing prices and shortages of just about everything needed to have a good time. Turkeys were costing 6/4 (31.5p) per pound and spirits, if you could get hold of some, were selling for 33/4 (£1.66) a bottle. People would think twice before adding another lump of coal on the fire considering it had cost a staggering £4 a ton.

25 years ago

December 19, 1975

CONSUMERS in Bromsgrove were bracing themselves for a huge 26 per cent rise in their bills in the New Year, the East Worcestershire Waterworks Company said. A spokesman said it was not meant to increase its profits but to allow the firm to break even.

A DECISION by Bromsgrove's Tory district council to put 5p on car park charges upset town police. Ch Insp Evanson said it would encourage drivers to park on roadsides and therefore create dangers.

THERE was a glimmer of hope that Bromsgrove's only cinema may yet be saved. A consortium had approached the Essoldo company, owners of the Plaza, in a bid to continue to show films.

Essoldo bosses were waiting to hear from the town council if they could change its use to a bingo hall. The Plaza had been a picture house for 50 years. Before that, the building in Church Street had been a drill hall.

THIEVES got away with 70 lambs, 70 turkeys, sides of beef, gammon and several ducks after breaking locks on cold store doors at the abattoir, in Bromsgrove Cattle Market.

FORMER stained glass artist Howard Naylor died at his home, in Sutton Coldfield.

A highly skilled craftsman, he had been assistant to the late Archibald Davies, at the Bromsgrove Guild. An example of Naylor's work could be seen in a window in the United Reformed Church, in Bromsgrove.