100 YEARS AGO:

At Worcester Police Court, Francis Morris, a sand and gravel merchant of Ombersley Road, was summonsed for causing a nuisance “by an accumulation of debris, rubbish and refuse in Himbleton Road which is injurious to health.”

One of the many prosecution witnesses said he had killed 16 rats on the site in one day alone. David Rabjohns, a schoolmaster whose house is nearest to the offending site, objected to the abominable stench and the swarms of insects which invaded his home from the tip.

The magistrates made an order that the nuisance be abated within one month and ordered the defendant to pay 20 guinea police station.

George Crilley (40), labourer, was fined five shillings at Worcester Police Court for being drunk in Copenhagen Street. Inspector Bishop said the defendant came to the police station and was recommended to go to the Worcester Workhouse. Later, however, he was found lying in the police station entrance.

150 YEARS AGO:

JUVENILE delinquent.

Harriet Mills, a girl of 15, was charged at Worcester Police Court with stealing two shillings, the property of her mistress, Mary Cole of Sansome Place, who took the girl from the Worcester Workhouse as a servant five weeks ago and clothed and fed her. The girl was sent to prison for a month.

● A hay rick standing in a corner of Lord Sandys’ park at Ombersley and containing some 60 tons spontaneously ignited on Tuesday last.

The Norwich Union fire engine was called from Worcester but water being only available at some distance from the spot, it had to be collected in tubs.

However, by dint of great exertions in pulling the rick to pieces and throwing water upon it, the fire was after some time extinguished.

● Thomas Burrow, aged 37, a labourer in the employ of John Holmes of Broadwas, died in our infirmary on Monday from injuries received in a fall from a pear tree at Doddenham while engaged in shaking pears from it.

He suffered fractures of both legs and, despite the attentions of surgeons, died from his injuries.

200 YEARS AGO:

A FEW days since, a man at Powick, in a fit of intoxication, cut his throat and afterwards threw himself into a pool of water, but was rescued and surgical assistance procured, after which he was conveyed to our infirmary where he is now in a fair way to recovery.

● The Star and Garter Inn, Foregate Street, Worcester.

The public are most respectfully informed that the Worcester and Oxford day coach from the above inn is being discontinued and will be replaced, for their better accommodation, with a new double bodied post coach from Worcester to London, running every Sunday, Wednesday and Friday at noon. It will carry eight passengers inside and 12 outside with very little luggage on top to prevent the lives of passengers being endangered. There will also be a guard on board. Fares, inside 36 shillings; outside 21 shillings.

250 YEARS AGO:

ON Friday last, Richard Packington was executed on the gallows at Pitchcroft amidst a vast concourse of people.

Two weeks ago he was found guilty at Worcester Assizes of robbing his uncle, Mr Hammond of this city, by breaking into his house and stealing bank and other bills to a considerable value.

Packington was conveyed from the gaol to the place of execution in a cart, kneeling in it all the way with a book in hand and his coffin at his side.

He was not quite 21 years of age and showed a hearty contrition and repentance. He seemed perfectly resigned to his ignominious fate, prayed with great fervency and, in his dying declaration, acknowledged the evil crime for which he suffered.

● On Monday last was married at the parish church of St Nicholas, Worcester, Nathaniel Chinn of Strensham to Miss Croce of this city, an agreeable young lady of distinguished merit with a considerable fortune.