THE Messenger was first with the news, both at home and further afield. The paper had arranged for Saturday's boat race result to be telegraphed to its office, where it would be displayed in a window.

100 years ago

March 26, 1898

THE Messenger was first with the news, both at home and further afield. The paper had arranged for Saturday's boat race result to be telegraphed to its office, where it would be displayed in a window.

A SHOCKING accident befell George Wheeler, a 77-year-old nailer lodging at Mr Troth's house on the Common, Sidemoor. His charred body was found by an Alfred Wheeler at 5.30am on Thursday near the Hundred House pub in Bewell Head. A pipe near the body suggested his clothes had caught fire in the strong wind blowing at the time. All that remained of his clothes was a boot and remnants of his jacket.

WINTER returned with a vengeance to the district when heavy snow and freezing weather brought hardship to many. Kindly Mrs Unite from Blackwell Court gave £10 to be distributed at the rate of 2s 6d (12.5p) to old and needy cases.

GEORGE Wheeler found himself before Bromsgrove magistrates charged with letting his chimney catch fire. PC Scott told the court: ''Sidemoor was full of smoke.'' Wheeler denied being at home at the time but admitted ''my missus did say we had a small fire.'' He was fined 6d (2.5p) with 8s (40p) costs.

50 years ago

March 27, 1948

ASTON Fields Cricket Club, which reformed last October, held its annual meeting in the Workmen's Club. Mr Waller again gave permission to use his field for practice and Mr T Lee said he would bequeath a pavilion in memory of his late wife when the club found a permanent home.

EASTER was looming and holidaymakers would find much to occupy them locally. Several dances were arranged and Bromsgrove Rovers were at home on three days. Midland Red was running a trip to Barry Island for a return fare of 16s 3d, while Wards of Sidemoor was offering a half-day mystery trip for 5s.

BROMSGROVE was preparing for the urban council elections on April 5. Fifteen candidates would contest the seven vacancies in six wards. West ward electors could be forgiven for being confused. They had to choose between Bertie Kings and Bill Kings, who both lived in Stourbridge Road.

AUSTIN worker Miss Ada Tustin from Bromsgrove won £150 in the firm's weekly incentive ballot. Rubery's John Davenport also won £75. Production at the Longbridge plant had increased by 200 cars a week since the scheme had been launched.

25 years ago

March 23, 1973

ANGRY Stoke Prior families were fed up with fumes belching from the flare stack at the Uniroyal factory. The parish council wanted a site meeting with the public health inspector and there were moves to organise a petition.

PROFITS at the Harry Vincent Bluebird toffee factory, Hunnington, rose 31 per cent to £85,117 in the six months up to December.

CAMPAIGNERS protesting against the planned Bromsgrove eastern by-pass told the last day of an inquiry that the road would simply become the third lane of the M5. They claimed residents living near the route would suffer from noise and pollution and the town would in effect be cut in half by it.

STOKE Prior vicar the Rev John Smith warned parishioners to use the church more or risk losing it.

BROMSGROVE was prep-aring to take a leading role in this summer's Sport for All activities, albeit on a penny-pinching £500 district council budget. The activities would culminate in an ''all sports fantasia'' in Sanders Park in August.