250 Years Ago:

Among the many instances of the forwardness of the spring is a remarkable one in the yard belonging to Mr Moore, Cooper, in Newport Street, Worcester, where there is an apricot tree, the greatest part of which is in full blossom, and on another tree are several apricots.* We hear from Red-Ditch and parts adjacent that the Journeymen Needle Makers have risen in large bodies and refused to work at the late prices given by their masters (which, indeed, were very low, owing to encouragement being given to many who have no right to work at the business as not having served a regular apprenticeship thereto), wherefore the said masters are under a necessity of discouraging all such for the future and are obliged to raise the wages considerably to the rest, otherwise they could not possibly get their work done, which will of course constrain every master to advance the price of those goods in proportion to every customer of what kind soever. There are more sewing needles made in those parts of the country than in all the Kingdom besides.200 Years Ago:On Friday last, Mary Davies was convicted before the magistrates of the borough of Kidderminster of having unlawfully disposed of a quantity of carpet yarn, for which offence she was ordered to be whipped through the streets of the said borough and imprisoned for 14 days.

* A woman in the service of Mr New, grocer of this city, lately absconded from her master's house without assigning any reason for so doing and, as she has not since been heard of, apprehensions are entertained that she has destroyed herself.

* The Worcester Assize Ball will be held at Diglis House on Monday, March 9. Admission is 3s.6d to include tea, coffee and cards. Boarding and lodging at the above house for families or single ladies and gentlemen are available on moderate terms.

150 Years Ago:A stone cutter named Cook, living in Copenhagen Street, Worcester, narrowly escaped terminating his existence by falling into a mixer in Regent Street on Saturday evening last. Cook, it appears, had been imbibing too freely of drink during the afternoon in the neighbourhood of Shrubs Hill and in his peregrinations had wandered into Regent Street, evidently making the best of his way to the Ram Inn by the back premises. However, in groping his way along the passage, he unfortunately precipitated himself into the mixer and became literally imbedded in the soil. Luckily a woman named Southall heard the fall and gave the alarm and several persons congregated, but they apparently did not seem disposed to handle so loathsome a customer. Mr Jones, the landlord, however leant down and, with a pair of fire tongs, succeeded in raising the head of the drunken man from the mire and immediately, with help, rescued him from his peril. A few moments more and suffocation must inevitably have ensued. 100 Years Ago:Worcester Landlady's Fright - Found Man in Her Bed - A story was told to the city magistrates yesterday about a young Irishman, David White (33), an engineer, was charged with being found on enclosed premises at the Five Ways Inn at Angel Place for an unlawful purpose. Maud Jones, manageress of this public house, went upstairs just before midnight to her bedroom and found the prisoner lying in her bed. PC Drinkwater said White did not appear drunk but seemed stupid. He did not remember going into the bedroom, and the first thing he knew was when he was awakened. The magistrates discharged him with a caution.