250 Years Ago:

The prisoners in our County Gaol at Worcester had formed a scheme for making their escape as on Monday last, but were prevented by information being given on Sunday by one of the prisoners. They had, however, sawed their irons in such a manner as easily to have disengaged themselves and, it seems, their intention was to have knocked down the turnkey as soon as he had let them out of the dungeon in the morning and then to have seized the key of the gates.

* Our infirmary at Worcester being now and often in great want of linen rags, large quantities of which are in constant use by the surgeons, if any well disposed persons would be pleased to send their old linen to the hospital, the same will always be an acceptable present and thankfully received.

200 Years Ago:

On Monday last, as a tradesman of this city was fishing on the banks of the Severn, near Henwick, with his daughter near him, she fell into the river and would most probably have been lost had not a man, who was upon the banks, jumped in and rescued her. He has since received the reward offered by that excellent institution, the Severn Humane Society for the rescue of persons in such situations.

* A youth, the son of a tradesman of this city, having gone into the Severn at the top of Pitchcroft, on Sunday evening last for the purpose of bathing, was unfortunately drowned.

150 Years Ago:

A violent lover. Richard Spooner, a shoemaker living in Carden Street, Worcester, was sentenced to one month's imprisonment at the city police court for assaulting a young woman named Sarah Haines of South Street, the Blockhouse, by striking her in the face and blackening her eyes. It appeared that Spooner had been coquetted with by the fair complainant and had on the evening in question gone to her lodgings to obtain "satisfaction". They walked together in the street when, without the slightest provocation, he struck her violently three times.

* The handsome stained glass window at the east end of St Martin's Church in the centre of this city has been completed during the past week. As a work of art, it is highly creditable to Messrs. Hardman of Birmingham, to whose care it has been entrusted.

The window is divided into five compartments containing the heads of prophets and Apostles and in the lower portion is represented the Ascension of Christ.

At the base is the inscription: "To the glory of God and the memory of A Wheeler BD, this window is erected by his son, the Rev TL Wheeler MA, rector, and other relatives and friends."

100 Years Ago:

Malvern's new attraction for visitors: The new Manor Park at Malvern, which comprises about 10 acres and contains six lawn tennis courts, four croquet lawns, a bowling green and a ground for archery, was officially opened on Tuesday by Lady Grey in the presence of a large assemblage of residents and visitors.

Late last autumn the necessity of providing increased attractions for visitors was the subject of earnest consideration and a suggestion was made that well-equipped recreation grounds, in keeping with Malvern's position as a high-class resort, should be provided. A local committee was formed and a generous public donated £500.