TIMELINE
OF REDDITCH
Taken from the Index of Newspaper Documents (1800 – 2014)
1
This Document……..
We have been researching the history of Redditch as reported in newspapers as events happened. We have collected together over 15,000 clips of such events and these have been organised into about 200 categories. Each of these documents reports the newspaper clips for that category in chronological sequence. At the start of each document is an index to the contents of that document.
This document represents the index for the”Timeline” document which gives an overall view of the Timeline in Redditch through the years 1800 – 2014.
These documents have been created to enable those interested in researching, or just reading about Redditch history, an opportunity to see what topics have been included in the detailed documents, which, for copyright reasons, cannot be put on-line.
The detailed documents are accessible off-line at shows, exhibitions and other events organised by the Redditch Local History Society.
2
Newspaper Titles – 8
Timeline of Redditch
(Document 1800 – 1899)
Contents
Serious riot took place at Redditch on account of the high price of provisions – 1800 11
Chapel on the Green – Dedicated in 1807 11
Crabbs Cross Methodist Church, Crabbs Cross Lane, Redditch – 1812 12
Congregational Church, Evesham Street, Reddich - 1827 12
Methodist Church, Evesham Road, Headless Cross – 1827 12
Notice is hereby given that the Partnership between Henry Eades the Elder and Thomas Eades of Hunt End dissolved – 1830 12
The provisions of the Act ll. Geo.4th, Cap 27 (Watching and Lighting of Parishes)– 1832
13
The cholera has made its appearance at Redditch - 1832 14
The Royal party visited Hewell - 1832 15
The royal party visited Hewell in November 1832 and the party drove through Headless Cross on their way to Alcester, where the pensioners of Headless Cross formed themselves in line where the cavalcade passed through. 15
Opening of a new Catholic Church – “Mount Carmel Church” opened 24th April 1834 15
A letter for London must be posted at Redditch by 2.30, or 3.05pm or else it will not be delivered in London the following day – 1838 16
The attempt made to establish races at this spirited little place - 1838 17
A Petition presented to the Needle Manufacturers – Against the introduction of a change in process of hardening needles. - 1840 18
Redditch – The Marriage of Queen Victoria to Prince Albert – 1840 18
3
Methodist Church, Bates Hill, Redditch – The land was brought for £211. - 1841 18
The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the Chapel of Ease at Headless Cross was performed - 1842 19
St Luke’s Church, Headless Cross, Redditch – 1843 20
The Wesleyan Methodists of Headless Cross near Redditch, have recently erected two school rooms, in connexion with their chapel, at that place, for the use of the Sunday-schools. - 1843 20
The Duc de Bourdeaux and suite, visited Redditch – 1843 20
The Birmingham and Gloucester Railway Company on Monday commenced the conveyance of passengers from Redditch to Barnt Green station, a distance of about five miles. - 1844 21
The Redditch Teetotal Society – They celebrated their sixth anniversary - 1845 21
The Allotment System – The Hon. R. H. Clive has given directions for the division into garden allotments of about twenty acres of valuable land in the immediate vicinity of the town. - 1846 22
New National Schools - Piece of ground given for the purpose by Lady Harriet Clive. - 1846 22
Prize Fight - 1848 23
New Magistrates, Henry Milward Esq and Charles Milward Esq – 1848 23
Opening of a new Primitive Methodist chapel - 1849 23
Literary Institution to be established - 1849 23
The “Truck System” and “Tommy Shops” - 1850 24
Headless Cross will be formed into an ecclesiastical district - 1850 25
Partnership Dissolved – H. & C. Milward, Redditch, Needle Manufacturers – 1850 26
An elephant escapes from the Fair - 1850 26
Needle-Making – A number of visitors to the Great Exhibition - 1851 27
State of the Roads - Roads kept in so bad a state as Redditch and its neighbourhood it would be hard to find, so travellers say. - 1852 27
4
Smallpox and Vaccinations – At Redditch and at Headless Cross, small-pox has prevailed to a serious extent - 1852 27
Fire – Steam-mill of Mr Affifi Lely, hook and eye manufacturer, Wellington Street – 1852
28
A Hurricane - 1852 28
Revival of Redditch horse racing - 1852 29
Redditch Worcestershire Races – 1852 30
Dorcas Society – 1853 - 30
Last Services at the Chapel - 1853 31
St Stephen’s Church, Church Green – Foundation stone laid by Lady Harriet Clive – 1853
31
English Needles in the New York Exhibition - 1854 31
Early News - Mr Doughty, the spirited proprietor of the coach and waggons plying between Birmingham, Redditch and Alcester, has, by altering the time of starting his morning coach, arranged to convey the morning papers along his routes. - 1854 31
A meeting was held last week at Smith’s Temperance Hotel, for the purpose of establishing a Philharmonic Society. - 1854 32
The Paris Exhibition – The staple manufactures of this town will be efficiently represented in this grand exposition of industry. - 1855 32
Fire at the Red Lion Inn - 1857 32
State of Trade – We regret to hear that the commercial gloom has at length spread to this town. - 1857 33
Postal Regulations - We are informed that application has been made for a second daily delivery of letters in this town which the increased trade and population now renders necessary. - 1857 33
Adoption of the public Health Act at Redditch - 1858 34
Wallett’s Great Equestrian Company - 1858 35
5
Wallet’s Great Equestrian Company – 1858 continued 36
Turning the First Sod of this new branch of railway from the town of Redditch to the Barnt Green Station of the Midland Railway. - 1858 37
Shrimpton – Partnership Dissolved - John and Zaccheus Shrimpton, needle and fishing tackle manufacturers and general factors, Redditch, 13th July. - 1858 37
A Step in the Right Direction - 1858 38
A Disappointment - There was to have been a balloon ascent from the newly decorated pleasure grounds at the Fox and Goose Inn - 1858 39
The State of Trade – According to the accounts received from reliable sources, the trade of this town is represented as being exceedingly good. - 1858 40
Local Government Act - 1858 41
The Local Government Act is now irrevocably the law of the town. - 1859 41
The Railway – The opening of the new line has been postponed for a month – 1859 42
Opening of the Railway - 1859 42
Mr Bartleet, of Redditch said he had suffered very greatly as a needle manufacturer from the piracy of his name in foreign markets - 1859 42
Redditch – Sir John Ratcliff, Mayor of Birmingham, laid the foundation-stone of a new School for the children of Dissenters at Redditch - 1859 43
Laying the Foundation Stone of the Wesleyan Day and Sunday Schools - 1859 43
Lighting of the Town - 1859 44
The Streets – Complaints were made of the dirty state of the principal thoroughfares of the town - 1859 45
The Baroness Windsor has given a shooting ground to the Redditch Rifle Corps - 1862 45
To 45
Mr Bartlett – Counterfeit labels - 1862 45
New Petty Sessional Division of the County, to be called “The Redditch Division” - 1862 46
Diabolical Attempt at Wholesale Murder Near Redditch - 1862 47
Diabolical Attempt at Wholesale Murder Near Redditch – 1862 continued 48
6
The districts of Crabbs Cross and Astwood Bank were lighted with gas on Tuesday – 1862 - 48
Cricket – The All England Eleven have engaged to play Twenty-two of Redditch and neighbourhood on June 25th and two following days, on the ground of the Redditch Windsor Club - 1863 49
Royal Marriage – The arrangements for the celebration of the day - 1863 49
County Police – expenditure on the police-station, cells and magistrates’ rooms - 1863 50
Dramatic Entertainment – The Working Men’s Dramatic Society made their debut – 1863
50
The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the new lock ups and magisterial room &c., took place. - 1863 51
The Earthquake was felt in this town and neighbourhood. - 1863 51
The Health of the town has for some time been far from good - 1865 51
The Gloucester Banking Company have purchased from their agent, Mr Sarsons, three old tenements in Church Green East to erect a bank building on a large scale- 1865 52
Workmen have been employed in pulling down two tenements which, a century ago, were used for the purpose of a Quakers’ meeting-house. - 1865 52
Factory Act Extension Act – 1866 53
The Works of the Redditch and Evesham Railway have been fairly commenced at the Redditch end of the line - 1866 54
The Redditch Post Office to become a Head Office - 1866 54
The Saturday Nights’ Entertainment established some three or four years ago for the benefit of the labouring classes, still maintain their popularity, the Riffle Corps Room being crowded weekly to excess. - 1866 55
The Post Office has this week been removed to its new site on Prospect Hill, Redditch - 1867 55
Opening of a New Baptist Chapel - 1867 56
New Roman Catholic Schools - 1867 57
Opening of a New Concert Hall - 1868 57
7
St Luke’s Church, Headless Cross near Redditch – Consecrated by the Lord Bishop of Worcester. - 1868 58
The Evesham and Redditch Railway – The Redditch section of this new line of railway (and which is now complete) was opened for traffic – May 1868 59
The Gas Question – The agitation on this question, after a lengthy campaign, has at last ended in most satisfactory results. - 1869 61
Vine Music Room - 1868 62
Amateur Concert – The members of the Amateur Musical Society gave their first concert (at the Park Road Room) since the formation of the society, which was established a short time ago. - 1869 62
Choral Society – The first concerts of this Society were given, when a crowded audience assembled each evening. - 1870 63
St Philip’s Church consecration by the Bishop of Worcester. – 1870 63
St Philip the Apostle, Webheath – Consecrated on 22nd February 1870 64
Sanger’s Great Hippodrome and Circus - 1871 64
A School of Art for Redditch - 1872 65
Re-opening of the Roman Catholic Church - 1872 65
Millward – v – Redditch Local Board - 1873 66
The Redditch Local Board received a very plain warning from the Medical Department of the Local Government Board - 1873 67
Opening of a New Wesleyan Chapel - 1874 68
Extension of the Local Board Boundary - 1875 68
New Church at Redditch – St George’s - 1875 69
St George’s Parish Church, St George’s Road, Redditch – Built in 1875 70
Local Board – A special meeting of this Board was held to consider the report and plans for carrying out the proposed scheme of sewerage and waterworks - 1876 70
Fall of a Building – A building on the top of Unicorn Hill - 1876 71
The Baptist Schools – The Memorial stone for the new Sunday Schools was laid - 1876 71
8
The Redditch Local Board decided to consider at a future meeting the offer of several young men to form a volunteer fire brigade - 1878 71
Evesham, Redditch and Stratford Railway – This new line, which was commenced in February last year, is at length finished. - 1878 72
Evesham, Redditch and Stratford Railway – This new line, which was commenced in February last year, is at length finished. – 1878 continued 73
Opening of a Cocoa House - 1879 74
Needle Makers’ Association – Some short time since it was decided to form an association of manufacturers. - 1880 75
Balloon Descent 1880 76
The Rifle Band – New regulations, company bands were no longer permitted for the rifle corps - 1880 77
Church Green Improvements – The lower green has been enclosed with hurdles. – 1880
77
The Weather – This neighbourhood was visited by one of the most terrible gales experienced for years, and to add to the discomfort, a fine diamond-like snow fell. – January 1881 78
Captain Vctor Milward has been appointed Major of the 2nd Worcestershire Rifles - 1881 78
Local Board – Mr Guise introduced the subject of a bathing place - 1881 79
Enlargement of the Wesleyan Chapel – The ceremony of laying the memorial stones of the enlarged protion of the Wesleyan Chapel and Sunday Schools took place. - 1881 80
A Public Bathing Place – Plan of the Sewers, &c. - 1881 81
Re-opening of the Wesleyan Chapel - 1881 81
Assassination attempt on Queen Victoria - 1882 82
The Improvement of the Railway Station - 1882 82
Sanger’s Circus - 1882 83
Messrs John Sanger and Son’s Circus - 1882 83
Recreation Ground for Headless Cross - 1882 83
Opening of the New Bathing Place - 1882 84
9
Local Board 84
Balloon Ascent by Captain Moreton, the well-known aeronaut - 1882 85
The demonstration of the Blue Ribbon Army - 1882 85
A Tribute to Mr Murphy and the Blue Ribbon Army 85
Fire – Mr Hollington’s Draper Shop - 1882 88
Gift from Lord Windsor – Three acres of land required to enlarge the Cemetery - 1883 88
The Resignation of the Vicar – The Rev. G. F. Fessey after 42 years - 1884 89
The New Public Hall – The ceremony of laying the memorial stone took place. – June 1885 90
New School of Art and Institute for Redditch – July 1885 91
The New Temperance Hall, Redditch – August 1885 92
Racing at Redditch to be revived - 1885 93
Theatrical Licence for the new Temperance Hall - 1885 93
Lord Windsor’s New Mansion – A new mansion is in course of erection for Lord Windsor in his charmingly situated and extensive grounds, known as Hewell Grange. - 1885 94
Restoration of Beoley Church - 1885 95
The New Public Hall – This handsome public room was opened by the Redditch Amateur Dramatic Society. – November 1885 96
New Institute and School of Art For Redditch - 1886 97
Public Hall with Miss Vesta Tilley the leading star - 1886 98
A Girl Sentenced to Penal Servitude – A petition is being signed at Redditch praying the Home Secretary to release Edith Jennings, aged 17years. - 1886 98
A petition for presentation to the Home Secretary about the release of Edith Jennings who was sentenced to five years penal servitude – October 1886 99
Redditch now employs 8,000 persons in the manufacture of fifty million needles a week. – January 1887 99
The Weather – The snow was the deepest experienced for some years - 1887 99
10
The Needle Industry in Redditch has been largely revolutionised during the last twenty years by the introduction of machinery - 1887 100
The Queen’s Jubilee – February 1887 101
Public Hall – Miss Vesta Tilley paid us her annual visit - 1887 102
The Church of the Holy Ascension Mappleborough Green - 1888 102
Memorial window in memory of the late Vicar, The Rev. G. f. Fessey - 1889 102
The Late Primrose League Soiree - 1889 103
New Congregational Schools – Memorial stones of new Congregational Schools were laid. - 1889 104
The Shah at Bromsgrove and Hewell – The Shah’s Departure from Worcestershire – 1889
105
The Shah at Bromsgrove and Hewell – The Shah’s Departure from Worcestershire – 1889 continued 106
The Shah at Bromsgrove and Hewell – The Shah’s Departure from Worcestershire – 1889 continued 107
The Shah at Bromsgrove and Hewell – The Shah’s Departure from Worcestershire - 1889continued 108
The Shah at Bromsgrove and Hewell – The Shah’s Departure from Worcestershire - 1889 continued 109
Public Hall – Managers, Messrs. Charles White and Son – Mr J. O. Stewart’s company - 1889 110
The firm of Messrs. H. Milward and Sons, the well-known manufacturers of needles and fish hooks, of Redditch has been converted into a limited liability company, the whole of the shares being taken up by members of the family. - 1890 110
Kirby, Beard, & Co. the well-known firm of pin and needle manufacturers has just been converted into a limited company - 1890 110
Gospel Hall, Evesham Street, Redditch – 1890 111
Exhibition Chess by Mr Blackburne - 1890 111
New Primitive Wesleyan Chapel - 1891 111
11
Midland Counties Cross County Championship, Redditch - 1891 112
The Temperance Hall – “The Sleeping Beauty” 112
Congregational Church - This building, which has been closed some time for alterations and renovation, was opened. – May 1891 113
Serious Fire at Redditch - Messrs. S. Allcock and Co. - 1891 114
Free Education Act - 1891 115
Cycling Sports at Redditch - 1892 116
Cycling Sports at Redditch – 1892 continued 117
Public Improvements - 1892 118
Munificent Gift of a Hospital - 1892 119
Lord George Sanger’s Circus - 1893 119
Carpenters’ Strike at Redditch - 1893 120
Lantern Parade – The fourth annual lantern parade promoted by the Town Cycling Club took place. - 1893 120
Fire at a Manufactory – Messrs S. Thomas and Sons - 1893 121
Our Redditch correspondent writes a brilliant meteor passed in a southerly direction over the town. - 1894 121
A Village Club for Webheath - 1894 121
Reopening of Redditch Parish Church - 1894 122
The Latest Bicycle – The bamboo bicycle - 1894 123
Lady Windsor is to open the Smallwood Hospital - 1895 124
For Sale – Fox and Goose Hotel - 1895 124
Memorial Window – The dedication of a stained glass window in memory of the late Rev. George Frederick Fessey. - St George’s Church - 1895 125
Mr Albert Chevalier’s Recitals - 1895 126
Fire at Redditch – Factory of Messrs J. Holyoake and Sons - 1896 127
James Harris of Redditch has died in terrible agony from hydrophobia - 1897 127 12
The Redditch Needle Trade- amalgamation of the firms Henry Milward and Sons, Limited and J. and M. Mills and Co. - 1898 128
Public Hall – In “The Sign of the Cross” – The Ben Greet company - 1898 129
New Chapel – The trustees of the United Methodist Free Church cause at Redditch have purchased as site at the junction of Ludlow Road and Mount Pleasant from the Windsor estate, at a cost of £325. - 1899 129
The Closing season will be the last of the Washford Mills Cricket Club - 1899 130
Acknowledgements 131
13
Time Line of Redditch
(Document 1900 – 1999)
Contents
Five men from the Redditch Company of Volunteers set off for active service in South Africa – January 1900 10
Volunteer Artillery Corps., at Eadie Manufacturing Company of Redditch – January 1900
11
The Public rejoicing at the news of the relief of Ladysmith was marred by a serious accident. – March 1900 12
Celebrations in Redditch after the relief of Mafeking – May 1900 13
For sale in Adelaide Street - the property formerly used as the Primitive Methodist Chapel – August 1900 13
The detachment of the 3rd and 4th Battalions of the Worcestershire Regiment, which is marching through the county, arrived at Redditch from Droitwich on Tuesday 18th September September - 1900 14
At the churches here on Sunday special reference was made to the late Queen – February 1901 15
Memorial Service to Colonel Victor Milward to take place at St. Stephen’s Parish Church – June 1901 15
Redditch has now practically a monopoly of the world’s orders for needles and fishing tackle – April 1902 16
Redditch Murder – Samuel Middleton executed at Worcester – July 1902 17
Mr Austen Chamberlain at Redditch - November 1902 18
Redditch Raid – “No Betting, No Trade” – Some excitement was occasioned in Redditch on the becoming known that the police had raided one of the licensed houses in the main street. – Horse & Jockey, Evesham Street. - August 1903 19
Eadie Manufacturing Company – April - 1904 20
Cycle Hands Strike – September 1904 21 14
The Boom in the Cycle Trade – The demand for Eadie fittings and specialities is increasing so rapidly that a new factory is being erected on ground at Redditch. – May 1905 22
Cycle Amalgamation – Birmingham Small Arms Co. and the Eadie Manufacturing Co. – February 1907 22
Mr Charles Duncan, M.P – February 1907 23
License for the New Theatre - August 1913 23
The Midland Air Race - The monoplane race between the distinguished aviators, Mr B. C. Hucks and Mr Gustave Hamel, over an eighty-mile course around Birmingham, for a silver trophy. – September 1913 24
Herbert Terry and Sons – This company has been registered with a capital of £60,000 in £10 shares to take over the business of spring manufacturers and dealers in metallic and other novelties carried on at Novelty Works, Redditch, as “Herbert Terry and Sons.” – September 1913 25
New Golf Course at Redditch – November 1913 26
Application for Cinema and Stage Play Permit - On behalf of Mrs Rebecca Treadgold. – November 1913 27
A Disastrous fire at the factory of Messrs. Guillaume Ltd – December 1913 28
New Co-operative Stores at the junction of Evesham Street and George Street – April 1914 29
Aviation Fiasco – June 1914 30
3,000 Rifles a Week – There is at least one large manufactory which will considerably benefit as the result of the war, and that is the B.S.A. – August 1914 31
Charge of Attempted Murder – September 1914 32
The New £1 note – October 1914 32
The River Arrow – Alleged Pollution by Redditch Works – October 1914 33
Tardebigge Village Hall as a hospital for wounded soldiers from the Western Front – November 1914 34
Fire at a Factory – A serious outbreak of fire occurred at Redditch on Saturday evening, a large portion of the factory of Messrs. S. Thomas and Sons Ltd., British Needle Mills – May 1915 35
15
Headless Cross School Accommodation - July 1915 35
Schools Closed for Diptheria – October 1915 36
Redditch District Education Committee – Boy Labour on Farms – February 1916 37
Redditch Committee’s Protest Against child Labour – March 1916 38
The snowstorm at Redditch was of remarkable violence and duration – April 1916 38
Bostock’s Unrivalled Circus – Direct from France – Redditch, Friday next, May 26th, on Recreation Ground, Beoley Road. – May 1916 39
Redditch School Closed – In consequence of the diphtheria epidemic – June 1916 40
Sale of Redditch Baptist Church – An Awkward Predicament – This handsome pile of buildings situated on Ipsley Green and built at a cost of between £4,000 and £5,000, have been purchased by Messrs. H. Terry and Sons. – December 1916 41
Serious Factory Fire at – Brigade hampered by snow and lack of horses – Heath’s Springs and Motions Company, Headless Cross – January 1917 42
Baptist Church – The closing services in the present Baptist Church were held on Sunday, when the pulpit was occupied by the Rev. H. G. R. Wassell (pastor). The Temperance Hall is being fitted up, and the service for the present will be held there. – January 1917 43
Women’s Institute – The first meeting of the Tardebigge Women’s Institute took place at Hewell Grange. - April 1917 44
The Salvation Army – received a visit from Mrs Bramwell Booth, wife of General Booth of the Salvation Army – 1July 917 45
New Company – Redditch Hosiery Needles – August 1917 46
Death of the Rev. Canon Charles Allan Dickins, M.A., Vicar of Tardebigge – 1917 47
New Vicar of Tardebigge – December 1917 48
Additional Allotments –During the weekend a number of new allotments, were laid out one lot in Easemore Road and another in Cemetery Lane, the field used for as many years for cricket. - April 1918 48
For Sale The Ipsley Estate – May 1918 49
Fire at Messrs. Hemming’s factory in Hewell Road – August 1918 50
Many cases of serious illness are reported at Redditch from influenza – October 1918 50
16
Redditch Garden City – Proposed housing scheme of Urban Council - November 1918 51
Astwood Bank factories Closed – The influenza epidemic has been severely felt in the Astwood Bank District – November 1918 52
Redditch 2500 Cases – The town has suffered severely from the epidemic – 1918 52
Redditch – Christmas at the Churches - December 1918 53
Fire – A serious fire occurred on Saturday at the shops of Messrs. R. mcGilchrist and E. Beck, Alcester Street – April 1919 54
Presentation of a Tank at Reddtch – May 1919 55
Consecration of Burial Ground - The new portion of the cemetery, two acres in extent which has been added to the Redditch Cemetery, was consecrated by the Bishop of Worcester. – October 1919 56
Several Protests were received against the proposed erection of a public convenience in Church Green enclosure – November 1919 56
The Proposed New Secondary School – November 1919 57
Redditch – Urban District hope to light the town as they did before the war – December 1919 58
Serious Factory Fire at Messrs S. Allcock and Co. – January 1920 59
Light Without Dazzle – A simple device which prevents the dazzle of headlights on motor cars has been invented by Mr Alfred E. Terry. – March 1921 60
Southcrest Evangelical Church, Plymouth Road, Southcrest, Redditch – 1922 60
By Direction of the Earl of Plymouth, Valuable Freehold Property for Sale – February 192261
Buffaloes’ Hospital at Holmwood Convalescent Home – August 1923 62
A Generous Gift to Redditch – Ten Acres for Recreation Purposes – March 1927 62
Big Fire at Messrs Woolworth, Ltd., Market Place – April 1927 63
Sewing the World – It was revealed at the dinner of the Needle Makers’ Company that 2,000 million needles are exported annually from Redditch. – May 1928 64
BSA Closure at Redditch – Highly important sale by auction - July 1928 65
Permission for three picture houses in Redditch to open on Christmas Day – December 1928 66 17
Redditch where needle-making is an hereditary occupation, is going to celebrate the bicentenary of the establishment of this craft in the town – April 1930 66
A ring of eight bells in the spire of Redditch Parish Church that had hung silent for many years, owing to defective framework. – February 1931 67
Mavis Bennett the well-known broadcasting singer (from Redditch) gets married – July 1933 67
Aviation Display at Redditch by Sir Alan Cobham – August 1933 68
Hot Weather Fires in Redditch – August 1933 68
Surprise for Prince George – inspected small holdings and allotment scheme for the unemployed at Crabbs Cross – July 1934 69
The Silver Jubilee Celebration of King George V – The main streets of Redditch and the town centre were made bright by a liberal display of flags, streamers, and bunting. – May 1935 70
Child Singer’s Triumph – Miss M. Phillips – May 1935 71
Redditch Senior School Plans – January 1937 72
For Sale – Newly Built Houses, Jubilee Road, Headless Cross – June 1937 73
New Manager at the Danilo Cinema – Major Ernest Clifford – June 1937 74
Smallwood Hospital £30,000 Extension Scheme Appeal – April 1939 75
Crabbs Cross – Methodist Church Extensions – April 1939 75
Resignation of Earl of Plymouth of Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs - Post vacated for health reasons – May 1939 76
New gun fires 7000 rounds in 30 minutes – B.S.A. weapons factory – July 1939 77
In Full Production – The Birmingham Small Arms Company began production at its new factory at Redditch – July 1939 78
Air Minister on Britain’s Strength – “We can go forward in calm confidence” – August 1939 79
Happy in their New Homes – 500 young evacuees in Redditch District – September 1939
80
More A.R.P. Wardens wanted – “Whole streets without wardens. – September 1939 81 18
The Duchess of Kent visited – At Redditch her Royal Highness opened Clubs for war-time factory workers, founded under the auspices of the National Council of Girls’ Clubs. – December 1941 83
Death Sentence - Harold Oswald Merry – July 1942 83
New to Heraldry – March 1944 84
Rosaires Royal Command Circus and Zoo – April 1944 84
Fun Fair at Royal Yard – December 1945 87
Forty million needles a week is the output of 12 Redditch factories – January 1947 87
Bus Station agreement hint – February 1953 88
New Junior School at Headless Cross – Managers may succeed in school site plea – June 1957 89
New Junior School at Headless Cross – Managers may succeed in school site plea – June 1957 continued 90
The Redditch Branch of the British Red Cross Society – Cadet Unit – June 1957 91
Sixty years of church history celebrated – Headless Cross Methodist Church – June 1957
92
Sixty years of church history celebrated – June 1957continued 93
Sixty years of church history celebrated – June 1957 continued 94
Circus – Lord George Sangers – Beoley Road, Recreation Ground – June 1957 95
St Bendedict’s Roman Catholic Church, Rowan Road, Batchley – Opened in 1958 96
A total of 3,474 post-war houses have been erected in the Redditch area – September 1959 96
Younger members of the Library? – September 1959 96
A Century ago we had few schools – September 1959 97
The Prime Minister, Mr Harold Macmillan sends congratulatory message to The Redditch Indicator on their centenary – September 1959 98
One Hundred Years of Service – Redditch Benefit Building Society, Church Green West – November 1959 99
19
Redditch factory blaze – Storeroom of H. A. Wilkinson Ltd of Red Lane Redditch – April 1961 100
Royal Day at Redditch – Princess Margaret – October 1962 102
Return of Rev Dennis Horwood – The centenary celebrations of the Redditch Baptist Church – October 1962 103
Firemen Equipped to Serve the New Town 104
Rail Fight Speeds Up - The campaign to save Redditch railway station from closure – July 1964 105
‘Fastest-Growing’ Church wants to move house – Assemblies of God Church – February 1966 106
‘Fastest-Growing’ Church wants to move house – Assemblies of God Church – February 1966 continued 107
Swimming Baths Open Again after £57,000 ‘Face-Lift’ – December 1966 108
Swimming Baths Open Again after £57,000 ‘Face-Lift’ – December 1966 continued 109
Redditch New Town – Town Centre Exhibition – Holmwood, Plymouth road - May 1968 110
15,000 New Jobs Needed by 1976 – October 1968 111
Council to build 500 new homes – October 1968 112
Go ahead for special Redditch school – June 1971 113
Round the world sailor Sir Alec Rose – guest of honour – March 1974 114
The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, (Mormons) Evesham Road, Crabbs Cross, Redditch – started building in 1975 115
Elim Pentecostal Church, 4 Plymouth Road, Redditch– now known as Oasis Christian Centre and established in 1976. 115
Emmanuel URC/Methodist Church, 6 Evesham Walk, Town Centre - 1976 115
Proposals to transfer the site for the district general hospital from Woodrow were opposed – July 1976 116
Victim of the times – Battens Farm – June 1977 117
St David’s Church, Willow Way, Batchley was demolished in the 1980s 117
20
St Peter’s Church, Littlewoods Crabbs Cross centenary year 1996 117
The Queen Mother visits Studley – June 1981 118
H.D.A. Jobs Axe Rocks Redditch – September 1981 119
History with Eddystone Light – One of Britain’s best-known landmarks, the Eddystone lighthouse, is to go automatic – with a little help from a Redditch based firm. – April 1982 120
Dedication Day of new Methodist Church at Crabbs Cross – May 1982 121
Jobs hope as work starts on hospital – October 1982 122
New Post Office opens for business – March 1983 123
The Visit of her Majesty ‘The Queen’ – July 1983 124
Clubs Mushroom after hall opens – New Winyates Green Residents Hall – July 1983 125
Fastest firm on earth – A Redditch firm’s super-wheels became the fastest in the world when they helped Thrust II to streak to a new world land speed record – October 1983 126
Village fury over pub facelift plans – To turn the Boot Inn into a large Beefeater restaurant – October 1983 127
Historic Firm in name change after 128 years – ‘Terry of Redditch Limited’ – December 1983 128
Flames ripped through a Redditch School last week – Moatfield Middle School, Matchborough – December 1983 129
Needle Merger – Companies forecast improved prospects – The Coats Patons Company which owns Needle Industries and Aero Needles – February 1984 130
Mount Carmel Roman Catholic church opens its doors again on Friday December 14th, after a massive refurbishment – December 1984 131
St Andrew’s Methodist Church, Tanhouse Lane, Church Hill North, Redditch Thanksgiving and Dedication service marked the official opening Sunday 2nd December 1984. 131
Companies Celebrate – Aero Needles celebrates its 200th anniversary and Redditch based Hymatic Engineering Company won a contract worth £2 million - 1985 132
Dream hospital handed over – April 1986 133
21
Friends go into action – Volunteers are banding together to make life more comfortable for patients at Redditch’s new hospital - 1986 134
200 new jobs at hi-tech company - 1986 135
Royal date for the mayor – Mayor and Mayoress, Ron and Betty Passingham will meet the Princess Royal – May 1988 136
Marketing new look college – September 1988 137
Prince of happiness – Workers cheered as the Duke of Edinburgh made a lightning visit to a Redditch factory – November 1988 138
Hi-tech link for church – Live satellite broadcasts of preacher Billy Graham – June 1989 139
Bumper gala night at club – Coral Social Club, Church Road – June 1989 140
Princess Royal in Redditch to officially open town’s New college – November 1989 141
Halls built at the double – Fast working Jehovah Witnesses are building two huge Redditch meeting halls – October 1990 142
Smallwood Hospital opens doors again after four years – October 1990 143
A Greenlands congregation raised the roof of their new church – St John the Evangelist - November 1990 144
A thriving Redditch Church is celebrating 100 years of worship – March 1992 145
Worshippers mark 150 years – April 1993 146
Shopping Centre work on target – September 1993 147
Open on Sundays – Major Redditch stores have switched on to Sunday opening for Christmas – December 1993 148
1st women priests – March 1994 148
Historic pub in fire drama – Old Washford Mill – March 1994 149
Alex now NHS Trust – April 1994 149
£8,000 college blaze – April 1994 150
A Golden programme of events is planned to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Redditch Society – September 1994 151
Shopper’s delight at Centre – October 1994 152
22
New era at sound of 8 bells – It will be “chime” for a change at a Beoley church when eight bells ring in the new millennium instead of six – December 1999 153
New era at sound of 8 bells – It will be “chime” for a change at a Beoley church when eight bells ring in the new millennium instead of six – December 1999 continued 154
Acknowledgements 155 Time Line of Redditch
(Document 2000 – 2014)
Contents
Contracts secure engineering jobs – January 2000 6 Tesco store to shut on Christmas Eve in the Kingfisher Centre – August 2000 7 Methodist Church, Alcester Street, Redditch and Alcester Street Methodist (IpsleyStreet ) Church and Trinity Church in the Ecumenical Centre united - 2003 8 Workers are gearing up for Royal visitor – HRH The Duke of Gloucester – September 2003 8 New fears over Alex baby unit – September 2003 9 Redditch’s Holocaust memorial in place – April 2005 10 Saying thanks as church reaches 150 – St Stephen’s Church – July 2005 11 Time capsule unearthed – New College during the demolition of an aging building – December 2005 12 Redditch Central Mosque, Jinnah Road, Redditch – Started to be built in 2006 13 Men’s outfitters reaches milestone - - Heaphys – February 2006 13 Alex protesters mean business – October 2006 14 Fountain gets a spring spruce-up – April 2007 16 Fountain gets a spring spruce-up – April 2007 continued 17 St Gregory’s Roman Catholic Church. Winyates Way, Redditch –In 2008 damaged by fire but hadn’t been used as a church for several years. Classed then as a 25 year old church. 17 Churches will mark Abbey’s anniversary – June 2008 18 Demolition of Dingleside School gets under way – September 2008 19 Fire sweeps through town centre restaurant – November 2008 19
23
The Bridge, - On Ash Wednesday, 25th February 2009, Headless Cross Methodist Church and St Luke’s joined together as an Ecumenical Church called The Bridge and kept the site of St Luke’s 20 Thousands turn out to witness our troops receive Freedom of Borough – March 2010 21 Framework in place as £5.8m Abbey Stadium starts taking shape – February 2011 22 The Town’s tree population has been boosted – April 2011 23 Children’s ward to move in shake-up? – June 2011 24 Royal visitor delights staff on tour of base- September 2011 25 Hospital celebrates 25th anniversary – October 2011 26 Last chance for pool – January 2012 27 Closure is an excuse to dive into history – January 2012 28 Closure is an excuse to dive into history – January 2012 continued 29 Closure is an excuse to dive into history – January 2012 continued 30 Revamped Abbey Stadium – Delight all round as £6.5m centre opens its doors – February 2012 31 Abbey restoration gets underway – March 2012 32 Drama as fire strikes again – March 2012 33 St George's Church in Redditch to be shut – April 2012 34 New owner eyes Kingfisher changes – May 2012 35 Duke of Kent visits Abbey Stadium – May 2012 36 Town enjoys the wheel thing – May 2012 37 Two hundred reasons to celebrate at Crabbs Cross Methodist Church – May 2012 38 60 Glorious Years of the Queen – June 2012 39 Historic bandstand set to stay put – June 2012 40 Thousands sign Alex petition – June 2012 41 Olympic Torch Relay - Thousands in town for an historic day – July 2012 42 Towns miss out on Portas bids – July 2012 43 Save the Alex – 1,500 march for the Alex – August 2012 44 Crowds flock to see top riders – October 2012 45 School is top of the class – Trinity High School – February 2013 46 Police Station cells to close – February 2013 47 Kingfisher plans get the go-ahead – April 2013 48 24
All geared up for the big race – June 2013 49 65 years of the NHS – July 2013 50 Back to school for the 100th year – Holyoakes Field First School – July 2013 51 Alex stroke beds closed as care moves to Worcester – July 2013 52 Mayor on hand to open new centre – October 2013 53 Victorian needlemakers’ church goes up for sale – January 2014 54 A & E and baby services ‘Should stay at Alex’ – January 2014 55 Town lodge celebrates 100 years – February 2014 55 Freedom of the borough honour – 37th Signal Regiment of the Royal Corps of Signals – March 2014 56 St Augustine alumni reunite for big 40th – March 2014 57 Rocklands – Regulars and visitors at the Rocklands Social Club will be raising a glass to the venue’s 60th anniversary. May 2014 58 Opening up the doors in celebration – Redi Centre – May 2014 59 College Merger set for August – June 2014 59 Work to start – June 2014 60 Princess Royal in town – July 2014 61 New look post office will open seven days a week – August 2014 62 Leaders write to health chief to demand a new Alex review – August 2014 62 First Webheath Brownies celebrate 100 years – August 2014 63 Pub to make way for new homes – The Jolly Farmer of Woodrow Drive - September 2014 64 Marking seventy years of study and discussion – September 2014 65 In 200 years’ time bowls will remain – September 2014 66 Alex plan won’t be aired until after election – October 2014 67 Acknowledgements 68
25
Acknowledgements
In the research and compilation of this document the author acknowledges the following sources:
www.bromsgrovebmsgh.co.uk - Martin Stephens who digitised the Bromsgrove, Droitwich and Redditch Messenger for Bromsgrove BMSGH web
www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk – British Library Images
www.redditchstandard.co.uk - The Redditch Standard archives
www.redditchadvertiser.co.uk - The Redditch Advertiser archives
www.ancestry.co.uk
26