THE STORY of how Bromsgrove’s three-tier school system was introduced is the lead article in this year’s annual Bromsgrove Rousler history magazine.
Pictures from South Bromsgrove High School provide the imagery for the front cover and former South headteacher James Baker has written and researched the piece inside.
He describes how background discussions which took place in the early 1970s led to the reforms, providing a ‘behind the scenes’ look into how the system – still in place today – came to being.
Those who backed the existing grammar school system thwarted the Local Education Authority’s original proposals to protect the privileges enjoyed by the selective high school and parents from Redditch were able to mould the plans to their benefit.
A separate article profiles Finstall Park School, an independent boys’ school which operated in the town during the 1930s and 40s. The boys enjoyed camping, cricket and rugby, were taught to knit for the war effort, and would hide in the cellar from German bombs. The Bromsgrove Society has recently received an album of photographs which belonged to the co-owner, Mabel Waller. They capture the Bohemian, outdoor-oriented approach that was the school’s hallmark.
Dianne Erismann, who now lives in Canada, has written her memories of growing up in Stoke Works in the 1950s and tales she was told about the village’s history.
Tony Shinner describes the role his great-grandfather William Shinner played in bringing water to the town whilst manager of the East Worcestershire Water Company. Tony’s grandfather Harry Shinner, a keen photographer, captured unique pictures of the equipment used in two new pumping stations at Burcot and at Washingstocks, Catshill, in the 1920s.
Before the financial sector became what it is today, Bromsgrove had its own local banks – they are featured in
David Williams-Thomas’ article about his great-great-grandfather’s role in founding and running the Stourbridge and Kidderminster Bank. This was a forerunner of the Midland Bank and the Bromsgrove branch used to occupy the same site as its modern incarnation at 93 High Street.
Also in this year’s edition are the late RB (‘Tim’) Brotherton’s memories of Bromsgrove Market in the 1930s, first published in 2002. It is one of a series of notable articles from the Rousler back catalogue being reprinted in the run-up to the magazine’s 40th anniversary in 2025.
The Rousler is published by the Bromsgrove Society. This year’s edition – number 38 in the series – also includes an appreciation of John Weston’s contribution to the magazine over many years, following his sudden death in March.
The Rousler is priced at £4, available from a number of outlets across the district and can also be ordered through the society’s website – bsoc.co.uk – and via the Facebook page and Twitter page.
