GEORGE Dyer, James Price, Herbert Stanley, Fred Kite and brothers George and Fred Insull appeared before Droitwich magistrates charged with letting off fireworks in Church Lane, Hanbury. All were fined 3/- (15p) except the Insulls who got away more lightly with a fine of 2/- (10p) each.

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BELBROUGHTON'S home for waifs and strays, which presently was home to 26 girls, celebrated its anniversary. The new annual report stressed the inmates well being was much improved as indeed was the moral tone of the establishment.

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GEORGE Butler of Cemetery Lane, Bromsgrove, had made his 51st appearance for drunkenness before town magistrates. He told the bench he had been unwell and had had a pint of beer which had overcome him. Telling him to turn over a new leaf magistrates fined him 4/- (20p) to be paid in 14 days or in default a week's jail.

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THE scarlet fever epidemic which had appeared to be on the wane now showed signs of returning with a vengeance. Schools at Sidemoor where more cases had been reported and Stourbridge Road were closed, as was All Saints Sunday schools. An average of five new cases were being reported every week in the town. Hill Top isolation hospital had 60 patients. One of the main causes of the spread of the disease was parents' reluctance to report cases involving their children especially mild attacks, to the authorities, which was a serious breach of the public health act.

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GUY Fawkes Day in Bromsgrove was said to be but a shadow of what it had been in earlier decades when large bonfires lit up the skies around the town. However, fireworks were easier to obtain now that most shops stocked them whereas 20 years ago only one or two had done so.

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THE Princes of Wales' Circus was soon to pitch its big top in Bromsgrove, Rubery and Stoke Works. Dick Turpin and the death of Bonny Black Bess and Little Willie, the World's youngest jockey were among the highlights of the show. Matinee performances for children with seats at 2d (1p) each were expected to be popular.