250 Years Ago:

On Thursday last, 14 men who had been impressed for sea-service and put on board a trow to be conveyed from this city to Bristol, taking advantage of the absence of the officer on shore, contrived with the assistance of two of their wives to disengage themselves from their shackles, which they effected by means of an axe. They leapt out of the boat and got to shore and all escaped together, leaving on board the men who were meant to guard them but who were incapable of doing so, having drunk too freely on shore.

200 Years Ago:

Pershore market. We the undersigned 110 tradesman (grocers, maltsters, vituallers, butchers, curriers, bakers, shopkeepers, dealers, millers, saddlers, glaziers etc) have experienced a considerable diminution in the number of our customers and the extent of our trade since the late change in the market day from Tuesday to Friday.

This is very materially to the injury of the town.

We therefore trust the good sense of the town and neighbourhood will be directed to the maintenance of the market on a Tuesday (the regular and only lawful day) instead of Friday which we hold to be not lawful. (see picture) 150 Years Ago:

Kidderminster riots. We regret to state that the General Election was disgraced at Kidderminster by the most riotous proceedings on the part of a mob of people who assembled round the hustings on Saturday afternoon. The first manifestation of revenge was exhibited in an attack made on Friday night upon the windows of the Swan Hotel.

As soon as the state of the poll began to show that Mr Lowe was sure of being returned, the mob started to indulge in their riotous intentions by hissing, groaning and intimidating voters at two polling stations.

By three o'clock there could not have been less than 7,000 or 8,000 men, women and boys assembled, and a scene then ensued of a very disgraceful character.

Mr Lowe's supporters were maltreated and it was only dint to the utmost efforts of Superintendent Merrifield with two policemen and about 70 special constables that the voters could approach the polling booths. The Mayor, Mr Kiteley, and several of the magistracy used their utmost endeavours to pacify the fury of the mob but, with their efforts having not the slightest effect, the constables began to make arrests.

100 Years Ago:

IT was reported at the annual meeting of the Royal Albert Orphan Asylum that five more boys had been sent to Canada during the past year. This makes a total of 45 boys to have been emigrated there since the foundation of the orphanage.

The asylum committee continues to have excellent reports about the boys who were emigrated.

* Speaking of the parental ignorance in the slums of Worcester, Alderman Broadbent, who addressed meetings in the city this week on the question of infantile mortality, told the following story: A woman had been feeding her three months' old baby on corned beef and, not unnaturally, the doctor's services were required. When he remonstrated with the young mother, she said: "Well, what can we give it; it won't touch pork."