THE Martley area became one of the first country districts in Britain to have its own telegraph offices at this time a century ago.

The Journal explained: Martley Rural District Council has done useful work in aiding the public of its rural areas to get telegraphic facilities. The council has done it unhonoured and unsung until now.

''Time was when the Post Office would not establish telegraphic offices in country districts unless residents would guarantee them against loss and, as people were not always ready to do so, general convenience suffered.

But the Martley council took the bold step of acting as guarantors for no less than four telegraphic wires though its country areas. One is to Hallow, Wichenford, Broadheath and Martley, while the others are for the convenience of places as distant and inaccessible as Stanton, Clifton-on-Teme, Leigh Sinton, Knightwick and Suckley.

As pioneers of this work, the Martley council is not only pleased that its enterprise will result in permanent benefit to the district but that it could also lead to further wires being erected in neighbouring country areas.