THE vicar of St John's Church in Bromsgrove, since 1890, the Rev E Vine Hall, dropped a bombshell over Easter when he announced he was planning to retire due to ill health. In his time at Bromsgrove he had brought about two major changes which had endeared him to many parishioners. One was the abolition of specified pews, the other the rotation of the role of churchwarden.

THE problem of what to do with pauper inmates suffering from tuberculosis at Bromsgrove's workhouse occupied the minds of the Guardians when they met this week. Mr Brazier suggested erecting shelters in the garden for sufferers to get fresh air treatment.

A NIGHTINGALE had been enchanting villagers with its song from dusk and throughout the night for a fortnight, a correspondent from Little Dodford told the Messenger.

BROMSGROVE Cricket Club members were looking forward to the start of the new season and were hoping to maintain the success they enjoyed during the last. With 200 members and a surplus in the bank the prospects off the field indeed did look bright. The weather of late had been good too therefore the Parkside pitch did not need further attention. Tennis would start on the lower ground next week.

BROMSGROVE'S branch of the St John's Ambulance Corps continued to flourish. At a smoking concert at the town's Roe Buck Hotel, members were informed that the Parish Church had given permission for a box to be placed in St John Street, in which would be stored first aid apparatus which people could access in an emergency.