JOHN Richardson of Mill Fields appeared before Bromsgrove magistrates on a charge of not having a dog licence.

100 years ago

May 25, 1901

JOHN Richardson of Mill Fields appeared before Bromsgrove magistrates on a charge of not having a dog licence. The bench fined him 7/6 (38.5p) after hearing he had suffered a cold and had not ventured out from his home in the bad weather to renew it.

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A PLAN to install bells in the tower at All Saint's Church, Bromsgrove, was put on indefinite hold, the vicar the Rev Millward told a public meeting, despite £75 having been raised from public donations. He said there seemed to be a "very strong undercurrent" of opposition against the plan.

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JABEZ, son of Mrs Bridgeman from Town's End Mill, Birmingham Road, Bromsgrove, met with a serious accident when his hand was caught between two crushing stones. He was taken to the town's cottage hospital where an operation was carried out on his fingers. He was later allowed home and said to be "going on satisfactorily."

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THE Messenger announced details of its competition for the best batting average during the new cricket season. The prize would be a guinea (£1.5p) bat of the winner's choice.

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PLANS were being made to welcome home some of the soldiers who left Bromsgrove last year to fight in the South African war. A fund set up to pay for the celebrations presently stood at £5. The town council had promised to add financial and other support subject to the approval of the chairman, vice chairman and various committee chairmen.

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PENDING the completion of the Welsh Water scheme the East Worcestershire Waterworks Company had agreed to supply Birmingham with 500,000 gallons a day from its new borehole at Washingstocks in Stourbridge Road, Bromsgrove.

50 years ago

May 26, 1951

Farm above Alfred's Well in Dodford, Bromsgrove, was to become an institution where children from Birmingham's 80 odd nursery schools could enjoy week-long country holidays.

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THE annual dinner and concert arranged by railwaymen in Bromsgrove for their retired former colleagues was held in the canteen at the wagon works at Aston Fields. The event had been started by Mr Parsons the works manger in 1926.

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A RECORD 135 dogs were entered in Bromsgrove Canine Society's show which took place in George Mansell's field off Burcot Lane.

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MISS Cynthia Large from Kings Norton this week took up her post as agent for the Bromsgrove Divisional Conservative Association. She was the first female political agent in the area.

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ARRANGEMENTS were being made for a big fete next month at the Oakalls in Alcester Road, Bromsgrove, the like of which the organisers claimed had never been seen before. Actress Doris Hare and TV personality Robert Boothby MP were among a host of attractions which included parachute jumping, acrobatic displays and show jumping.

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TO mark the tenth anniversary of the death of Lord Austin, Mr Howitt, his former private secretary, placed a wreath on his grave at Lickey church from the chairman and board at the Longbridge motor works.

25 years ago

May 21, 1976

THREE Labour members of Bromsgrove District Council scored top marks for having not missed a single meeting last year. They were Cathy Mole 49, Trevor Porter 61, and Bill Small 29.

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SHENSTON New College rag week was set to get off to a poor start. The procession, always the highlight, had been refused permission to go through Bromsgrove as had their application to hold a street application.

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RUBERY'S Christmas street light display looked set to be scrapped this year. The village's Chamber of Trade said it could no longer afford them. Alternative funding was being sought elsewhere.

THERE was a host of attractions in the Bromsgrove district to suit all tastes this coming Whitsuntide holiday. Harris Coaches from Catshill was running a trip to Weston for £1.65 and Rover Coaches at Aston Fields were off to Dudley Zoo for a fare of 40p. Lady and The Tramp was set to delight film fans at Droitwich Film Theatre.