January 1895
The short spell of skating which we were able to enjoy at the beginning of the month was unhappily attended with a serious accident, and one which was marked by the miraculous manner in which the lady concerned escaped fatal consequences. Every enthusiastic skater is naturally anxious to be on the ice the moment an opportunity is presented.

This was manifested by the large crowd which gathered on the Moseley hall pool the first day admission was offered to the public. During the afternoon Miss Cross, of Crompton Road, Handsworth, was skating round the pool with her brother, when the ice suddenly gave way, and Miss Cross was instantly precipitated into 20 feet of water, and must inevitably have been drowned had it not been for the wonderful presence of mind and unyielding pluck of her brother who never loosed hold of her hand. He too, fell, and his legs and the lower part of his body were in the water, and with the other hand he managed to support himself on the ice until further assistance arrived, which was rendered by Mr. Arter.

He threw one end to the brother, and in this manner, with the assistance of a ladder, a marvellous rescue was affected. Miss Cross was carried to the gates, and from there conveyed in a cab to the residence of friends in Ascot Road, where she remained for several days, and afterwards at home, confined to her bed in a very critical condition. Although the accident occurred on the 5th it was not until the 18th that Miss Cross was able to leave her room. A representative of the journal saw her on the day with the object of eliciting from her a relation of her feelings at the critical moment, but she explained that she almost instantly lost consciousness, and knew nothing further until being conveyed to her friends.

Her brother was taken to the Fighting Cocks Hotel and there provided with a change of clothes, after which he was able to return home; and here another difficulty had to be overcome.

Their mother was but just recovering from a serious illness, and a relation of the facts might have been attended with the gravest consequences. It was therefore not until the following Monday that their mother knew that an accident had happened. We were pleased to be able to say that Miss Cross is now in a favourable condition. Her heroic brother is a well known member of the Moseley football club.

FEBRUARY 1895
The skaters on the Moseley hall pool will, I am sure, take their pleasure with the added zest when they learn that, by the liberal generosity of Mr. Hadley, one half of the money taken for admission will be handed over to charities, and in addition to this the whole takings on Sunday last, amounting to £12 5s 6d., were devoted to the relief of distress prevailing in the immediate district. I hear that something like one thousand pounds has already been taken at the gates for admission; it is indeed an ill wind that blows no one any good.

The lantern carnival was an immense success, affording great pleasure to all participators and reflecting credit upon its organisers, but it was very mean of those gents persons who cut the clearing ropes, and otherwise evaded the endeavours to clear the pool at five o'clock as advertised, preparatory to the eveningÕs 'show'. I was greatly surprised to hear one of the attendants confess to a 'mate' to having made eighteen shillings in one day putting on and taking off skates.

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