WORCESTER PEOPLE of 100 years ago were not doing enough to drive out the "Demon Drink," according to the Temperance Movement locally.

Berrow's Journal for this week of 1903 carried a lengthy report of speeches made at "a Temperance Party" held in the grounds of Rose Hill, Worcester "by kind permission of Mr R. Cadbury.

The main speaker was the Dean of Hereford, Dr Leigh who asked why it was that Worcester seemed to be "somewhat backward in temperance work?"

"It was very remarkable and striking, he thought, that some of the cities overshadowed by grand Cathedrals were not so progressive as one would wish to see. People wondered but were not prepared to give explanation.

"The Dean said the nation had far too many public houses and ought to be sharply reducing the number in a bid to combat fast increasing inebriety among both men and women. Even the great brewers admitted that there were too many public houses. Magistrates had long had powers to effect a reduction but they had been sleeping, like Rip Van Winkle, he contended.

"One of the difficulties was the inevitable demand for compensation payments to those running public houses earmarked for closure. Dr Leigh said that owing to the folly of magistrates in freely granting licences in the past, the price of licensed property had gone up considerably, and now the brewers and publicans demanded compensation. He was prepared to see reasonable compensation for persons who were likely to suffer, but not for the great brewers and millionaires.

"Another speaker, Mr J.T. Newell of Bristol, considered it was vital to consolidate the temperance forces for the great fight against the liquor traffic. Worcester, he said, was represented by a man in the great liquor ring. The temperance people wanted to give him notice to quit, and return in his stead a man who would help in the fight against the drink evil."

TWO acts of bravery were honoured at ceremonies this week exactly a century ago.

Under the heading "Sequel to Bromsgrove Sensation," the Journal reported in 1903: "In London on Thursday, the Prince of Wales in his capacity as Grand Prior of the Order of St John of Jerusalem in England, presented medals and awards for deeds of gallantry in attempts to save life at great personal risk.

"Among the recipients was Nurse Edith Lindsay who was awarded a silver medal for great bravery displayed on the Midland Railway at Bromsgrove. She had been in charge of Miss Daykin who, while walking near the railway, suddenly made a rush for an approaching train, in front of which she threw herself.

"Nurse Lindsay at once followed but was too late to prevent her patient from being killed. She herself was knocked down by the engine and was seriously injured. At Thursday's presentation she was unable to walk without the aid of crutches."

The other bravery award was made by the residents of Claines to a William Young. The Journal explained: "On Monday evening there was a pleasant gathering at the Church Institute, Claines, in order to present Mr W. Young with a watch and chain in recognition of his plucky conduct in rescuing Kate Stone, aged 12, from drowning in the Severn.

"If it had not been for his prompt action the girl would in all probability have been drowned."

A PUPIL of Worcester's Royal Grammar School was selected to take part in an expedition to British Columbia at this time 50 years ago.

The Journal of 1953 explained: "Christopher Shaw, youngest son of Mr and Mrs A.T Shaw of Hill View Road, Hanbury Park, Worcester, has been selected to join a party of 80 boys from schools all over Britain on an expedition to British Columbia, under the auspices of the British Schools Exploring Society. An advance party is setting out this week with the stores and equipment to set up a base camp.

"The main part of the expedition group, led by Major F.G Hannell of Bristol, with 12 assistant leaders and medical officers, will reach Vanderhoof on August 8. From there they will travel by lorry to Fort St James and then by boat to their base camp at Stewart Lake, from where they will travel out into the wilds to explore and carry out surveys.

"The expedition party will also include Dr. J. S. Owen of Hillside, Great Witley, who will be one of the three medical officers."

In recent years, Chris Shaw returned to live in Worcester after a distinguished career, mainly overseas, and was elected chairman of the city's Civic Society. His later father, A.T Shaw was for many years the Music Critic of Berrow's Journal and the Worcester Evening News.

WORCESTER'S Theatre Royal in Angel Street was preparing to stage a series of prestigious performances for the city's Race Week on Pitchcroft at this time 200 years ago.

The Worcester Journal of 1803 reported: "Mr and Mrs H. Siddons from the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden will appear in two principal characters, and there will be performances of a favourite play and farces, by desire of the Hon. T. Coventry, Steward of the Races.

"Ladies and Gentlemen are requested to send their servants to keep their places, or the theatre manager cannot be accountable for them."

CORPORAL PUNISHMENT in Worcester schools was very much in the spotlight 100 years ago, especially the issue of whether it should be administered solely by head teachers and confined to the cane.

Berrow's Journal for this week of 1903 reported the debate in the City Education Committee: "Mr C.E. Hopton moved that corporal punishment should be administered by the head teacher only, or by his representative in his absence. Mr F.A Hillard accepted the arguments for limiting the infliction of punishment to headmasters.

"But Mr G.T. Watts strongly opposed the resolution. He suggested that if the committee had any practical knowledge of schools, they would not consent to give all the power to a head master. Certified teachers, many of them of long experience, should have a little more power given to them, and discipline could not be obtained without it. Teachers might be tempted to take the power if it was not given, and children's ears would be boxed.

"Mr J. Mayglothling said it was not right to make the head teacher a monster. Miss Alice Ottley asked if the committee had no other punishment than corporal.

"Canon W.R Carr was anxious to see the cane made the only punishment. The question of boxing ears was very serious, doctors having discovered that tuberculosis, lying dormant, could be so stimulated to activity.

"The committee overwhelmingly carried the resolution limiting the administration of corporal punishment to head teachers and specifying that it should be inflicted only with the cane. No striking with the hand or ruler would be permitted, and especially no striking on the head."