250 Years Ago: LAST week, as one Mary Meddings was brewing at the Adam and Eve in High Street in this city, she unfortunately fell into a skell of hot wort and was so miserably scalded that she died the next day.

l A few days since was married at Orleton in Herefordshire, Richard Hill of Eye in that county, to Miss Caswell, daughter of Richard Caswell of Orleton, a lady with a fortune of some £10,000.

On the occasion, the old hospitality, formerly frequent in the country, was revived, open house being kept by the young squire for three days, during which above 15 hogsheads of cider were drank, and a bullock, three calves and six sheep were given to the poor of the neighbouring parishes.

200 Years Ago: AMONG those who were tragically lost on board the Ajax, which was destroyed by fire off Cadiz, was Master Manners, son of Mrs Manners of Foregate Street in this city. He served on board the Mars in the memorable Battle of Trafalgar and, from his early courage and spirit, promised to be an ornament to the Navy and a brave defender of his country.

150 Years Ago: Joseph Newly Wagstaff was brought before this city's police court under warrant, charged with absconding from the service of his master, Henry Smith, brush-maker of High Street, Worcester.

It was said the youth had always conducted himself in a disobedient and ungovernable manner and had absconded without his master's consent to work for a brush-maker in Walsall. He was sentenced to one month's hard labour.

l For a limited period, the great annual sale at the Civet Cat, 2 The Cross, Worcester, is now on. The entire valuable stock, comprising jewellery and silver goods, desks, dressing cases, work boxes, tea caddies, brushes, combs, soaps, perfumery, glass and china ornaments, toys etc, is selling at a reduction of four shillings in the pound.

100 Years Ago: AT a meeting of Worcester Watch Committee in the Guildhall, the chief constable, Mr Byrne reported receipt from the Home Office of a circular calling attention to the fact that the Royal Standard was flown upon occasions in an unauthorised manner. It was the personal flag of the Sovereign and could be flown only with his permission.

l "Married Woman's Offence" - Matilda Stanton of 19 Victoria Street, Worcester, a respectably dressed married woman, was summonsed at the city police court for abusing her husband and daughter. She was fined 10 shillings or seven days in prison in default.