Notorious drunk

During the 1880s and 90s, "Nobby" Guy had been hauled before the city magistrates on no fewer than 60 occasions for being drunk and disorderly and had been given all sorts of punishments from fines to jail with hard labour, but without effect.

Finally, in despair, the city council had paid for "Nobby" to be sent to a special home for treating alcoholics in the south.

"Crowquill", in his Journal comment column for this week of 1902, gave the latest news on "Nobby" in exile. "He wishes to see his old friends in Worcester again.

"He has written to a city magistrate saying that his conduct in the Brentry Home has been satisfactory and that he is entitled to a release licence. He seeks the necessary signature to papers and adds that the magistrate will be responsible for sending monthly word back to the Home that its late inmate maintains a good character when back in Worcester.

"The letter, which conveys respectful regard to the magistrate and his clerks, was written for 'Nobby' who, at the time of its despatch, was ill in bed. The date of his departure from Brentry is suggested as November 11. The worthy justice has not yet given consent. Probably he won't.

"Nobby, though strong in body, is weak in disposition and, if he returned, persons might foolishly invite him to celebrate his reappearance in streets where he was for many years an all too familiar figure!"

In "Nobby's" absence from the Faithful City, it's clear that another local drunk was very much striving to emulate the inebriate in exile.

The same Journal edition of 1902 which contained "Crowquill's" opposition to "Nobby's" return home, also, by sheer coincidence, carried a report of the 58th appearance before the City Police Court for drunkenness of John Swain (52), a fitter, of 10 Dolday, Worcester who was "sent down for seven days."