250 YEARS AGO:

LAST Sunday, one John Child, a fellow of very bad fame, was taken up at Bishampton, being charged with sheep stealing, but as some persons were conveying him to Wyre Piddle to be examined, he knocked a man off that rode behind him as a guard and made clear off with the horse.

He is 26-years-old, well set, with a red face potted with the smallpox and wears a wig. A reward of £40 is offered to those who offer intelligence leading to the arrest and conviction of the said John Child.

* On Monday last, one Tyrer, a porter, was helping load a wagon with hops in this city when he was thrown down and had his leg broke, upon which he was sent to our infirmary. He has a wife and six children whose support was principally from his labour and they must therefore now be in a most distressed situation.

* This week, as three loaded wagons were going from Worcester to Alcester fair, the driver of one of them slipped down and two of the wagons passed over him and killed him on the spot.

200 YEARS AGO:

The mayor and magistrates of the city of Worcester, approving of the resolution of the magistrates of the county of Worcester, are adopting all possible measures for the prevention of the profanation of the Sabbath.

The measures will promote the proper observance of that day and the enforcement of the strict laws appertaining to it. The mayor and justices do hereby strictly enjoin and require the constables of the respective parishes of the city of Worcester to be diligent in the discharge of their duty herein. The Mayor and magistrates also earnestly entreat all classes of their fellow citizens by their example to promote the same.

* On Monday last, Messrs Howes and Massy were fined £1 for suffering their stage wagon to pass through Worcester on a Sunday, which fine was given by the mayor to the Taylor’s Lane charity houses.

150 YEARS AGO:

RESCUE from drowning. On Tuesday evening, a man named Dovey, while at work in a boat near the Slip at Hylton Road, had his attention drawn to a boy’s cap floating in the water near him. Thinking a boy had fallen in, he put his arm into the water and caught hold of the thumb of a lad who, on being pulled out, was found to be named Haylings and whose parents live in the neighbourhood. He was insensible when pulled out but recovered in a few minutes and was taken home.

This is the second time the boy has been miraculously saved from a watery grave.

* The Recreation Band has lately delighted the inhabitants of Worcester on the banks of the Severn about Henwick by performing a choice selection of music at night upon the water. We understand the band intends, as soon as the grass is removed, to perform once a week upon Pitchcroft for the rest of the summer.

100 YEARS AGO:

A REGRETTABLE accident occurred on Thursday. The caravans and wagons containing Pat Collins’ funfair roundabouts had reached Fernhill Heath when a man employed by him named John Lowe, aged 30, slipped from the sliding bar on the back of a caravan.

He fell to the ground and the caravan immediately behind passed over his legs, fracturing them both. He was taken to the infirmary in a motor car.

* A little girl of nine years named Margaret Blakemore of Holt Fleet was run over by a motor bicycle on Sunday afternoon at that place. She sustained severe cuts and bruises about her head and legs and was taken in a motor car by PC Lily to the infirmary where she was detained.

* Elizabeth Harding of no fixed abode was charged at Worcester County Police Court with begging in Droitwich Road, Claines. She was sent to prison for a month’s hard labour in the hope that the Visiting Ladies Committee would be able to send her to a home.