THE centenary of the city's Diglis House Hotel as licensed premises is reached this autumn, judging from a report in Berrow's Worcester Journal for this week of 1901.

For a long time now, the Diglis has been a prestigious and popular hotel and drinking place, ideally situated on the riverside and close to the historic core of Worcester.

But back 100 years ago, there was clearly bitter controversy about its proposed conversion from a large private residence into a public house.

In Victorian times, Diglis House had been the home of Edward Leader Williams, the engineer-in-chief for large-scale improvements to the Severn. He and wife Sarah had two sons, both of whom became peers of the realm.

Sir Benjamin Williams Leader (he transposed his middle and last names) became a nationally acclaimed landscape artist, while Sir Edward Leader Williams was chief engineer for the construction of the Manchester Ship Canal.

In 1901, however, Diglis House was bought by Andrew Carpenter who already owned the nearby Unicorn pub which stood until 1906 on the corner of Mill Street and Portland Street.

This week a century ago, Carpenter applied to the City Licensing Sessions for a full licence to open Diglis House as a drinking place, but the Journal, in reporting the hearing, spotlighted the strong lobby of opposition. The formidable objectors included the Dean and Chapter of Worcester Cathedral, the Governors of the King's School and of the Cathedral Choir School, and the Chaplain of the St Alban's Girls Home.

Solicitor Mr Tree, appearing for the objectors, said they were "protesting against the establishment of a riverside public house which would produce inevitably a congregation of numbers of people, many probably of an undesirable character.

"The horseplay etc., likely to occur, would be a serious nuisance, objectionable to nearby residents and to people using the river towpath and the Cathedral terraces as places of recreation.

''Mr Tree stressed that there were already five public houses in the vicinity, and boarders of the King's School were already being disturbed at night by noise from two of these public houses.

"The Chaplain of St Alban's Girls Home objected to the Diglis House application as it would create a licensed house opposite an institution where 50 girls were receiving a Christian training.

"However, the Hon. R. Coventry, for the applicant, said Diglis House had the advantage of a large garden where people could sit out in the fresh country air instead of sitting in stuffy rooms. He pointed out too that the garden was raised six to 10 feet above the river towpath and was concealed by a hedge."

The licensing justices, who included the Mayor, Coun. J.A Steward and W. Kilbourne Kay, head of Kay and Co., decided to grant the licence for Diglis House.