Memory Lane

AT Bromsgrove Petty Sessions William Hutton, of Park Street, Birmingham, was charged with having in his possession for trade purposes six weights and a pair of counter scales that were unjust.

Edward Poulson, inspector of weights and measures, said he saw the defendant selling haddock from a cart near the almshouses in Alcester Road.

When he studied the scales more closely Mr Poulson said they were more of a guessing machine, than a weighing machine.

The defendant was fined 5s and 16s 6d costs.

THE strike at the salt works at Droitwich and Stoke Works had continued without any sign of wither side giving way.

The Messenger reported workers had been quiet and peaceful, and a stranger observing would have observed nothing to suggest a strike in progress, It was added that owing to the absence of volumes of smoke from chimney stacks; fields, gardens and allotments were enjoying new cleanliness.

A NEW children’s home had opened in Bromsgrove.

Built by the Bromsgrove Board of Guardians, the home was the outcome of the decision of the Local Government Board that all children must be removed from the Workhouse.

The house, built near the Hundred House pub, had cost £1,700 to build and furnish .

50 years ago. July 10, 1964.

BROMSGROVE MP James Dance had criticised the BBC television programmes in the House of Commons.

He said viewers should be protected from sex and violence.

Responding, the Postmaster-General said the BBC was very sensitive to all expressions of opinion, and already had obligations imposed on them to ascertain the public’s opinion of all its programmes.

THE Lickey Incline, between Bromsgrove and Blackwell railway stations, was to enter a new phase in its 124 year history.

It was planned that before the end of 1964, the steam power of the engines would be completely replaced by diesel-electric machines – with the smoke, steam and red hot cinders that had long plagued those living near the bank would disappear.

The Messenger commented it was important the heavy work would be done without less physical effort from the men at control.

A NEW world record for the shortest time for a beer drinker to sink a yard of ale had been set at the Boat and Railway Inn in Stoke Works.

Howard Jones, a reigning champion, consumed his yard in nine seconds – clipping half a second off his previous best.

The landlord, Mr Clarke, had a try but failed to even empty the glass.

25 years ago. July 13, 1989.

RAIN failed to dull the spirits of Rubery folk as the village went carnival crazy.

That year’s event had attracted 3,000 revellers, forced to bring macks and brollies.

MP Hal Miller attended and judged 18 floats, and it was hoped the event had raised around £1,000 for local charities.

There had also been a rare sight as a 1927 Austin six-wheeler, one of only half a dozen in the country, had also been shown off to crowds at the carnival.

A BROMSGROVE coach firm had won a contract from Zimbabwe to transport a cricket team around the Midlands.

Harris Coaches, of Catshill, had been approached by team representatives from the country’s capital, Harare, to tender the nine day contract in August.

The Advertiser/Messenger added that the reason the firm had been offered the contract was a mystery – although one of the men behind the African team was the father of Worcestershire cricketer Graeme Hick.

GRAEME, as well as Steve Rhodes and England’s Tim Curtis, were among the stars appearing at Droitwich Cricket Club in a charity match.

The stars were appearing in a team taking on a select Droitwich Spa side.

It was hoped the event would raise hundreds of pounds for charity.

AMERICA’s July 4 celebrations came to Bromsgrove’s Ewe and Lamb pub.

The pub’s Independence Day festival included a Country and Western band and fireworks.

Pub manager Roger Cox also donned his Confederate uniform to get in the spirit of the evening.

Memory Lane is compiled from the papers dating back to the Messenger's first edition in 1860.

The papers are free to view at Bromsgrove Library, in Stratford Road.

For more information call the library on 01905 822722.