Backtracking: What was making the Dispatch headlines in March 1964

These stories were making the headlines back on 27th March 1964, with some stories similar to the news making the headlines today.

The headlines were a 53-year-old man who died in a FIRE at a house on Coventry Road, Bulwell, had probably been smoking in or near his bed, an inquest hears.

Nottingham City Coroner Tony Rothera is told that the dead man, Mikolaj Buter, appeared to have been a HEAVY SMOKER.

Robert Ryder, of Greenwood Vale, Hucknall, who won a VICTORIA CROSS in the First World War, travels to Richmond, Surrey, to attend the funeral of another VC recipient, Frederick Edwards.

Mr Edwards, a fellow ex-member of the MIDDLESEX Regiment, died in a home for disabled former sevicemen.

Mr Ryder was decorated with the Victoria Cross by King George V. The citation tells how, when his company had lost all its officers, he advanced alone on an ENEMY TRENCH and, by ‘skilful manipulation’ of a Lewis gun, he cleared the trench.

“This VERY GALLANT act not only made possible but greatly inspired the subsequent advance of his comrades and turned possible failure into success,” the citation continues.

Mr Ryder and Mr Edwards won their decorations on the SOMME on the same day, September 26 1916, and became close friends.

Bulwell’s MP, William Whitlock, is highly praised by the town Co-operative Women’s Guild for supporting their call for a law to make children’s nightwear FIRE-RESISTANT.

Mr Whitlock accuses the Conservatives of GUTTER POLITICS in the countdown to the General Election.

He claims the Tories have conveniently forgotten that one-sixth of the population are living in or close to POVERTY.

Alleged to have FORGED the signatures of directors and obtained £1,400 from her former employers by deception, an Annesley Woodhouse woman appears at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court.

A father and his 18-year-old son admit embezzling more than £500 between them while managing the two SHOPS of a Bulwell electrical firm.

The father said he was short of money and received ONLY £10 for running the branch. Detective Officer George Jelly is complimented by the magistrates on the way he conducted the complex investigation.

PADSTOW Bilateral School has an important part to play in the creation of Bestwood Estate as a social community, says head teacher Owen Gallagher in his annual report.

Linby Parish Council blame visitors from Hucknall for dropping LITTER on the village’s grass plots and in the ‘Docks’ brook.

WHAT LIFE WAS LIKE -- William Whitlock MP judges an EASTER BONNET parade at the Central Social Club, Hucknall, with £2 as the first prize.

A former Hucknall man who has visited Australia says the HEAT there is appalling and makes the Middle East seem cool by comparison.

PORK FARMS, which has shops in Hucknall and Bulwell, advetises in the Dispatch that it has won first prize for its pork pies in a national competition.

The paper also has a two-age advertising feature about SPRING CLEANING, with a Bulwell firm offering a free Hoover as a competition prize.

A Norman Wisdom comedy, ‘A Stitch In Time’, and a rip-roaring Western, ‘ Rio Bravo’, starring John Wayne, can be seen at the BYRON CINEMA in Hucknall.

A total of £66,250 MILLION damage was caused to goods and property in the UK during 1963, says a fire chief in a talk to Bulwell and Basford Rotary Club.

A display of spring headgear is staged by the HAT BOX shop at a meeting of Hucknall St John’s young wives’ group.

NAMES -- the Rev LEONARD JOHNSON, of Matlock, is to become superintendent minister of North Nottingham Methodist Circuit, which includes Hucknall and Bulwell.

Former Hucknall man BRIAN PORTER is nominated as Labour candidate for the East Leake and Keyworth divisions in the Notts County Council elections.

PERCY HOLEYWELL, whose late father owned Castle Mill, Papplewick, celebrates his golden wedding. The mill was eventually sold to Hucknall Co-operative Society.

After working for a time at Papplewick Hall stables, where J.F.Montagu bred RACE-HORSES and polo ponies, Mr Holeywell worked underground at Linby Colliery for many years.

LORNA MACKNESS, of Station House, St Albans Road, Bulwell, is married to Edward Lowe, of Sherwood. A guard of honour is former by Nottingham YWCA Badminton Club, of which Lorna is a member.

A presentation to fast bowler BRIAN EGAN, who is soon to be married, is made at the annual dinner of Bulwell Cricket Club.

COURT -- two boys aged 15 and 16 are fined £1 each for setting fire to a LUGGAGE RACK on a train as it travelled through Hucknall. The father of one of the boys tells magistrates: “He will be travelling by bus in future.”

Three boys who stole a BUBBLE GUM machine from outside a shop in Bulwell appear at a juvenile court.

SPORT -- Butler Hill Rangers Football Club net their 100TH GOAL of the season when they defeat Eastwood CC to keep up their bid for the Bulwell and District League championship.

Beauvale Free Church football team player Mell scores FOUR goals in his side-s 8-0 win over Bingham FCT in a Notts Youth League match.

Young footballers of Highbury Secondary Boys’ School, Bulwell, make history by winning THREE championships.