ALBERT Field, aged 18 months, was killed when he was run over by a horse pulling a bread cart in Gibb Lane, Catshill, where he had been playing with other youngsters.

100 years ago

August 17, 1901

ALBERT Field, aged 18 months, was killed when he was run over by a horse pulling a bread cart in Gibb Lane, Catshill, where he had been playing with other youngsters. An inquest at The Crown pub in the village returned a verdict of accidental death and put no blame on baker Clement Wheeler.

THE question of noisy night soil men disturbing residents' slumber and a rude official was discussed at a Bromsgrove Urban District Council meeting. A woman, upset by the noise made by the men as they went about their business in the middle of the night, took her grievance to a council officer. He told her, sarcastically, that the cart would in future be equipped with rubber tyres and new staff, all deaf and dumb, would be issued with rubber-soled shoes. Councillors took a dim view of his conduct.

WELLS supplying Catshill schools were running dry. It prompted managers to enquire about having mains supplies installed. But they were appalled to learn the cost for two taps would be £1/0/9 (£1.4p) per quarter when piped water to a house with a bath, four water closets and taps was only 25s (£1.25p). They voted to ask the water company for a reduction.

BROMSGROVE Rovers at last held their annual meeting at their headquarters, the Roebuck pub, in High Street.

Previously, it had been postponed through lack of attendance. The meeting heard last season had been one of the worst in its history, both on the field and financially. The reserves showed a loss of £5 and it was decided to disband the team and appeal for help from townsfolk to get the club back on a firm footing.

50 years ago

August 18, 1951

FOR pupils at Bromsgrove County High School the long wait for their GCE results was over. They had been the first to sit the new exam which had replaced the school certificate and higher school certificate. With the old exams had gone the various gradings such as credits and distinctions. Now it was simply pass or fail.

DEXTROUS Mr Hallow, from Rock Hill, Bromsgrove, had three entries accepted for the forthcoming model engineers exhibition in London. They were three bottles containing figures of ships, Santa Claus and Dutch dolls.

FIFTY boys and girls from Catshill had returned from an unforgettable fortnight under canvas in Eire where they spent most of their time bathing, fishing and eating.

Their somewhat uncomfortable trip across the Irish Sea had not spoiled their appetites. On the first day they had consumed ten pounds of butter and six pounds of bacon for breakfast.

BROMSGROVE Rovers were to take on the town cricket club at their own game next week. The annual encounter, which traditionally sparked much friendly rivalry at the New Road ground, was eagerly looked forward to by both teams.

BROMSGROVE's annual horse show at the cricket ground went ahead despite the atrocious weather which kept spectator numbers to a mere handful. The marathon ten-hour event finished in twilight with the secretary's tent having to be illuminated by car headlights.

25 years ago

August 13, 1976

FEARS for the safety of 500 mental patients at Bromsgrove's Barnsley Hall Hospital were voiced after a member of Bromsgrove and Redditch Community Health Council toured the 18 wards one night and discovered the emergency doors locked.

The reason given was the shortage of staff, 24, half of whom were not qualified. However, the Regional Health Authority later claimed patients were in no danger.

THE number of people out of work in Bromsgrove was the highest for 30 years. Presently 591 men and 336 women were on the dole.

THE Rev David Tonge, priest-in-charge at St Godwald's Church, Finstall, had taken a job with local paper merchants K Beckett for one of his annual weeks holiday. He planned to donate his wages to a fund to restore the floor of his church.

THE harvest was very nearly all safely gathered a month earlier than usual on farms in the Bromsgrove and Droitwich Spa areas. But the crop was light, due to the prolonged hot weather.

STAFF at cash-strapped Bromsgrove General Hospital had set themselves a target of raising £4,000 to buy their own ambulance.

A fete was being organised for next month which would be opened by Christopher Beeney who played Edward in the TV drama series Upstairs and Downstairs.