AT the request of Captain Lambert, of the privately-funded Hewell estate fire brigade, a party of firefighters from Bromsgrove visited them to watch them perform a series of drills. The Hewell brigade had been formed just over two years ago to protect the Grange and other properties on the huge country estate which made up the Earl of Plymouth's country seat.

JOSHUA Waldron, from Madeley Heath, near Belbroughton, was charged with the wilful murder of his wife Martha, when he appeared before Stourbridge magistrates. It appeared he had struck her about the head after she had accused him of philandering. He was committed to the next Worcestershire assizes for trial.

AN attempt was being made to improve Bromsgrove's ambulance service, which consisted of one horse-drawn vehicle, after a patient from Droitwich had been forced to wait eight hours for it to arrive to convey him to Hill Top isolation hospital. It appeared a telegram requesting the ambulance had been sent to the matron, but she was off duty and had not been able to open it. In future others would be authorised to open telegrams and deal with such requests in her absence.

WITH Christmas fast approaching many traders took out large adverts in the Messenger to sell their seasonal wares. The Messenger shop had cards for 2/- (10p) per dozen, while cobblers Harfords were selling made to measure hand sewn men's boots for 11/6 (57.5p). Grays tobacconists had cigars from 3d (1p) each, while Weaver and Guest was expecting to do brisk trade with its Scotch at 3/- (15p) a bottle.