1803: The hop planters of the County of Worcester are requested to meet at the Talbot Inn, Claines, near Worcester, on June 22 at 12 o'clock in the forenoon to consider and sign a petition to Parliament effectually to suppress the use of quassia (a bitter tonic) in malt liquor, either by laying such a heavy duty thereon as will tend to be prohibition, or by such other means as the Legislature shall think fit to adopt.

On Saturday last, Mrs Ballard, wife of Mr Ballard, surgeon of Hanley Castle, died on a visit to her sister in St John's, Worcester. Her death was occasioned by a mortification, which commenced without any apparent cause or previous injury and will be sincerely lamented by all those who were acquainted with her social and domestic qualities.

Stourport Bridge - This, being about to be re-built in iron and wood, all persons desirous to contract to find timber and complete the woodwork should contact George Hallen, Clerk to the Trustees.

1903: "Son of a Noted Mother" - William Sale (17), newsboy of 4 Court, Silver Street, Worcester, was charged at the City Police Court with playing pitch and toss in Trinity Street. The Chief Constable said the youth came from a poor home, his mother having the distinction of being the first person to go on Worcester's official "Black List" of persistent drunks frequently brought before the courts. The Chairman of the Bench, Mr Kilbourne Kay, offered the youth a sovereign if he would go into a home, but he refused. Mr Kay therefore told the youth he had no sympathy for him, and sent him to prison for a week.

An inquest has been held into the death at Worcester Prison in Castle Street of 37-year-old William Edward Smith, previously a groom. He was admitted 10 days ago for sleeping rough and was found to be in a state of starvation, weighing less than six stone. Despite being put on a special diet, he died of "semi-starvation and pneumonia".

1953: By 14 votes to four, Martley Rural District Council has refused a planning application to establish a site for 50 caravans in the gardens of Witley Court. Dr B.G. Goodwin told the meeting that such a development would grievously mar "one of the most beautiful and peaceful spots in Worcestershire".

Because of the swine fever epidemic, organisers have reluctantly decided to cancel all pig classes and pig sections at this year's Three Counties Show on Hereford Racecourse.

Worcester is to stage an American baseball match on the King's School Ground in New Road next Saturday. It will be played by teams drawn from the American Air Force bases at Fairford and Brize Norton.

The majority of workpeople in the Worcester district were at work on Whit Monday with a view to having a holiday on the Monday before the Coronation.