100 years ago. October 10, 1914.

THE Worcestershire and the War section reported that there had been 25 recruits for the 8th Home Service Batallion, and the number of men required was less than 200.

There were several vacancies for recruits in the Bromsgrove Company though.

LORD Cobham and JW Willis Band, trustees for the late John Corbett that was a investor in the Droitwich Brine Baths, wrote a letter to the Messenger after calls were made from residents for the baths to be used by soldiers on returning from conflict.

The letter said: “This we are ready to do.

“It strikes us that if the baths are of advantage to the officers – it is our duty to enable the men to receive the same benefits...free of charge.”

THE latest war telegrams reported that the Germans were now using incendiary shells, the situation for the Allies was considered satisfactory in Paris, and it was understood another island had been captured from the Germans and the British Flag hoisted.

BARNT Green resident Llewellyn Ryland was charged with driving a motor car without a light at Bromsgrove Petty Sessions.

The defendant did not attend, instead sending a letter.

Police sergeant Lyes said he called to the defendant to stop, but he went on. The witness followed him to his home when the defendant said he was engaged in connection with His Majesty’s Forces and argued he did not have sufficient water in the acetylene lamp.

Ryland was fined 5s, and 7s 6d costs.

50 years ago. October 9, 1964.

RUBERY was to have two more public houses.

Birmingham City Council had given the go-ahead, with one at the junction of Callowbrook Lane and Deelands Road and another in Newman Way.

One was expected to be called The Corn Cob, while the other was to have the temporary name The Toby Jug.

BROMSGROVE MP James Dance reiterated his view that the town’s station, as well as Barnt Green, would not be closed.

He foresaw that the threatened stations would become unmanned halts, instead of stations, with tickets being sold on the train.

The Minister of Transport Ernest Marples had written to the MP to say that proposed closures of commuter services must be looked at with special care, and in relation to the whole transport pattern.

LABOUR’s candidate for the General Election told an audience at Bromsgrove School that the party was not a one man band.

Peter Lister said: “I defer to no-one in my admiration for Mr Harold Wilson. He would make a first class Prime Minister.”

But he added that the Labour Party was bursting with people looking for an opportunity to lead the country in a new direction.

25 years ago. October 12, 1989.

A STORY line in The Archers had been forced to change because of a row over a planned satellite village near Bromsgrove.

In the programme, set in the mythical village of Ambridge – based on Hanbury, there had been a fictional row over a homes scheme similar to that which had upset residents in the Worcestershire village.

Jock Gallagher, who had ultimate control over the series, said it had decided to rein in the sensitive story line because fact and fiction had become uncomfortably close.

BROMSGROVE’S Carnival queen had won £10,000 worth of prizes on a quiz show – reported to be the largest ever payout on a British show.

Verity Ryan, from Aston Fields, was called up on Sky’s The Price is Right and went on to win the haul of goods including a fortnight’s holiday in Australia, a Vauxhall Nova and a CD player.

The 23-year-old said she was enjoying a lucky year – and now hoped to become a game show hostess.

A MEMBERSHIP and pricing policy for Bromsgrove’s long awaited sports hall had been given the thumbs up by councillors.

The £300,000 hall, sited behind the Dolphin Centre, was due for completion within weeks.

Members of the council's recreation and amenities committee heard that although a big demand from clubs was expected, they would each have limited peak time use.

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.