LOCAL theatre-goers were looking forward to lavish fare at this time 100 years ago.

The Journal reported: "At the Theatre Royal next week, no fewer than eight light operas will be presented by the D'Oyly Carte Company. In fact, they could not possibly have attempted more in a week.

"They will be performing The Mikado, The Yeomen of the Guard, Iolanthe, The Sorcerer, Trial by Jury, Princess Ida, HMS Pinafore and The Gondoliers."

Big top

Also on the entertainment front a century ago, Worcester City Council agonised over whether or not to allow America's famous Barnum and Bailey Circus to set up its big top on Pitchcroft for a week in 1903.

Some councillors were concerned that the circus would cause too much damage to the surface of Pitchcroft which the council had bought for the city only four years previously to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1897.

The Journal explained that Barnum and Bailey had offered the council a rent of £50 for the week and, in the end, councillors voted by 26 to 11 to allow the event to go ahead on condition that the circus handed over a £75 rent to include the cost of making good any damage to the ground.

Also at this time in 1903, the Sunday Closing campaign was at its height in Worcester.

Alcohol

However, "Crowquill", in his Journal comment column, was less than enthusiastic about banning all sales of alcohol on Sundays.

"English spirit is opposed to sweeping change, and neither the social nor moral arguments are all on one side."

"Crowquill" pointed out that hundreds of cyclists travelled long distances on Sundays and required to ease their thirst. There were also bone fide travellers needing hotel and inn accommodation. "Crowquill" was quick to point out too that "Cathedral Deans have their well stocked cellars!"