January 19-26

THE death is announced of Mrs Baylis at the age of 102. She was formerly for many years landlady of the Northwick Arms in Barbourne, Worcester, and was well-known to many citizens, particularly as somewhat of a humorist. She remembered quite well the Coronation of George IV and the Battle of Waterloo rejoicings.

* The Mayor and Mayoress of Worcester, Mr and Mrs John Stallard, gave a ball to children at the Guildhall last evening. Nearly 200 accepted their invitations and from about six pm to 10pm the Guildhall was a scene of the utmost youthful happiness. All the dances were of the old English type and the children danced with great zest to the strains of Austin's Band.

* Street pests. Annie Baker (26), married woman, and Mary Ann Kelly (45), widow, were charged at Worcester Police Court with soliciting in Lion Walk. The Chief Constable Mr Byrne said it was owing to complaints from the public that officers were sent to the neighbourhood and arrested the two prisoners. They were each fined 10 shillings or seven days' prison in default.

150 Years Ago:JOHN Jones, a commercial traveller of gentlemanly appearance, was charged at Worcester Police Court with being drunk and disorderly. PC Chipp stated that he found the defendant at 12.30am in Foregate Street in company with a prostitute. The constable ordered the girl home, after which the gentleman became very abusive and refused to go to his hotel. He was drunk and the officer took him into custody. He was fined five shillings which he said he would pay "with pleasure."

* Fortunate Rescue. As a man named Joseph Harrison, a moulder, was proceeding to his home along the canalside at Worcester on Monday afternoon, he heard the cries of a child in the water near the Lowesmoor Wharf and, hastening to its assistance, was fortunate enough to succeed in rescuing the sufferer from a watery grave. This is, we believe, the second person Harrison has prevented from drowning.

200 Years Ago:Great alarms having been excited in Birmingham by several persons being bitten by mad dogs. The magistrates there have directed all persons to keep their dogs tied up, otherwise they will be killed. A recruit in our Worcester Militia, who came from Birmingham a few days since, brought with him a dog and took it to St John's near this city. The dog bit several others and died with every symptom of madness. The dogs which were known to have been bitten have been properly destroyed but we would earnestly recommend that all dogs be immediately secured as otherwise this dreadful evil might spread in a very alarming degree.

* The governors of our infirmary at Worcester return thanks to the Rev Hastings for £5, half of a fine paid to him by John Edwards of Martley for riotous behaviour at the Martley Parsonage on December 28, the remainder being given to the poor of the parish.

250 Years Ago:TO be sold furnished and may be entered upon immediately, a well-established inn, being a freehold and known by the sign of the Green Dragon, situated in the Foregate Street in the city of Worcester, being a large new brick house, together with stabling sufficient for about 70 horses, and other necessary outbuildings. For further particulars apply to Thomas Ashton, the present occupier, who is in a very bad state of health, the only reason for him quitting the inn.

* We hear from Monmouth that several persons having been bit there by a mad dog, the magistrates and Common Council of that town have ordered the inhabitants to pen up or muzzle their dogs for 30 days or till further order from the mayor. All straggling and unmuzzled dogs are to be killed by Monmouth's constables and beadles and buried in the wastes, with a reward of one shilling to the constable etc., for each dog killed and buried.