1802: A most immoral practice has prevailed in the town of Manchester since the peace treaty with France has been concluded.

Several persons, particularly soldiers, have exhibited their wives in the open market for sale like cattle. Last week, a woman was sold for four pence halfpenny.

On Monday evening, the sign-board of Mr Tennent, stay-maker, was feloniously stolen from his shop in High Street, Worcester. Any person giving information of the offender or offenders shall, upon his or their conviction, receive a One Guinea Reward.

Any person willing to contract for building the Poor's House at Stourport is desired to submit an estimate, agreeable to the plan and specification now in the hands of Mr William Hoult, Overseer.

1902

"All Over a Pound of Tomatoes" - Charles Long (25), hawker of Lich Street, and John Bosworth (21), hawker of Union Street, pleaded guilty at the City Police Court to fighting in the Shambles. Long said Bosworth would not serve him with a pound of tomatoes, but Bosworth said he was willing to serve Long but the latter did not want to pay. Long used bad language to him and to his wife and a fight followed. Long was fined 7/6d and Bosworth 5s.

Henry Fudger, butcher of the Shambles, was charged at the City Police Court with cruelly over-driving a horse.

The case was brought by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals which claimed that Fudger drove his horse along Northwick Lane and through Bevere Common in "a most furious and reckless manner with clouds of steam rising from the animal." Fudger was fined 10s.

1952

On stage at Malvern Festival Theatre next week - Harold Fielding presents Music for the Millions with pianists Rawicz and Landauer, Tommy Fields, Joan Turner, Tollefsen and Percy Edwards. Coming soon, Robb Wilton and Peter Cavanagh with Archie Andrews.

The consecration as a Bishop of the Rev John Mort, Vicar of St John's, Worcester, and Bishop Designate of Northern Nigeria, is to take place in Worcester Cathedral later this month.

Percy James, Worcester City FC's player-manager, and his wife Barbara had a remarkable escape from serious injury while motoring to Oxford. The accident happened at Stoulton when Mr James' car struck the nearside kerb, bounced across the road and rolled down a steep bank on the opposite side, overturning in the process. Mrs James was thrown clear but Mr James was trapped inside his car, though he was later pulled out unhurt. The worst that happened was that Mrs James ended up in a bed of stinging nettles.