THE problem of gypsies who persistently camped on Gannow Green occupied the minds of members of Bromsgrove Court Leet when they gathered for their half yearly meeting and dinner at the Golden Cross Hotel in the town. No sooner had one lot been moved on than others arrived to take their place it was heard. The Bailiff, Mr Godsall, decided to instruct the Tythingman for Chadwich yield to go and persuade them to move on, but he refused. However, he later agreed to try accompanied by the Foreman of the Jury, Samuel Saywell.

A 42" INCH water main carrying supplies from Wales to Birmingham burst near a deep cutting at Hagley through which the GWR railway line ran. With a river of water a foot deep covering the metals, the stationmaster Mr Phillips sent a message to stop the trains. Meanwhile he despatched a cyclist to Birmingham to ask them to send men to repair the pipe. A duplicate pipe meant supplies to the city were not unduly affected.

FREDERICK Griffiths, a ropemaker from St Swithin's Street, appeared before Droitwich Police Court charged with riding his cycle at a furious speed near Briar Mill and knocking down Henry Weston a pedestrian. He paid dearly for his haste by being fined a guinea (£1.5p) with 9/6 (47.5p) costs.

'SAD havoc' was how the Messenger described this week's devastating frosts which affected many acres of strawberry, potato and bean crops in the Bromsgrove area. The continuing keen wind and lack of rain only added to growers' problems. Many market gardeners and smallholders relied especially on good crops of strawberries to pay their rents.