March 19, 1898

100 years ago

March 19, 1898

FIREMEN from Bromsgrove rescued a cat stuck 90ft up an elm tree at Snake Lake, Fockbury, where it had been for two days. Fireman Gilbert Wheeler scaled the two ladders which had been lashed to the tree and edged his way along a branch to bring the pitiful moggy, belonging to market gardener Ashwell Jones, to safety.

THERE was excitement in Bromsgrove as news spread that there were to be two ''animated photo'' showings at the Drill Hall. Films included Nelson's death and Queen Victoria's Jubilee procession. The adverts said they would be shown by noiseless machines on a large screen with no flickering. Each performance would end with a display by Maurice Victor the celebrated conjuror and shadow artist.

THOMAS Wheeler would bitterly regret the blazing row that preceded him throwing his wife out of their home in Stourbridge Street, Bromsgrove. His foul language was heard by PC Carter, who arrested him for contravening the little known by-law prohibiting swearing within earshot of a public place. He was fined 10s (50p), the best part of a nailer's weekly wage, with 8s (40p) costs.

BROMSGROVE'S recently launched cycling club held its annual meeting in the big room at the Institute. Members heard there were 67 paid-up members and there was a healthy £6 in the bank. However, there was one sour note, Mr Juggins said he had resigned as captain of the Saturday group of cyclists because of the young upstarts who broke the rule of passing him.

GRATEFUL parishioners of Bromsgrove vicar the Rev Parkes clubbed together and bought him a cycle made in the town. The Messenger said a few years ago the idea of a man of the cloth riding a cycle was unheard of but, nowadays, it could be done with great dignity.

50 years ago

March 20, 1948

ANNIE Laurie, The Vicar of Bray and other well loved tunes, would soon be heard coming from the belfry of St John's Church, Bromsgrove.

The familiar bell chimes had been silent since 1939 resulting in the mechanism becoming badly rusted. However, the rods and cogs had been freed ready for when the tunes would again start at Easter.

PRE-WAR council house rents in Bromsgrove were set to jump by around 6s (30p) a week -- to bring them in line with ones built since the war. Faced with an increasing debt in its housing account, the council had voted for the easier option of putting up rents rather than the rates.

MR and Mrs Johnston from Holywell Lane, Rubery, received the surprise of their lives this week when a food parcel from Princess Elizabeth, at Buckingham Palace, was delivered. A note explained the Princess had received many wedding gifts of food from the Dominions and had decided to give some away. At 93, Mr Johnston was Rubery's oldest resident.

BROMSGROVE'S Evergreen scouts were to broadcast on the popular BBC Children's Hour programme. Listeners would hear camp fire songs and Robert Bird reliving his experiences at having been on an exchange with a Danish scout.

25 years ago

March 16, 1973

ERNEST Kyte the 60-year-old headteacher at North Bromsgrove High School announced he was to retire. In 1955, at the age of 42, he had succeeded Dr Baron as head of the former county high school in Stourbridge Road.

THE organisers of Bromsgrove's annual spring music festival were told to broaden their scope in future by members of the council's finance committee which voted to give a grant of £700.

ALL Saints Church was preparing to celebrate its centenary next year. But the vicar, the Rev Lankester, would not be involved in making plans as he was soon leaving to take up a position in Stockton-on-Teme.

FOR the second time, Bromsgrove council's planning committee failed to make a decision on Allied Breweries controversial proposal to build a pub on land at the junction of New Road and Fordhouse Road. Petitioning residents feared it would be a bad influence on youngsters.