A REMARKABLE but desperately tragic love story was told by the Worcester Journal this week exactly 250 years ago.

The edition of 1751 explained: "However incredible the following may seem, we can assure readers it is absolutely true.

Some months ago, Elizabeth Goodman, a publican's daughter near Powick, died in this city and was buried in the churchyard at Powick.

A little later, one Bishop Simms of Wolverley, who had formerly worked at the Iron Foundry at Powick and who was engaged in a courtship with the ill-fated Elizabeth, had a vivid dream that she was dead and made enquiries, discovering it was so.

''Her demise had such an effect on him that he was directly possessed with a strong notion that he should not live long himself, and earnestly requested that he might be buried in the same grave as Elizabeth.

However, this was all looked upon as only a Whim or Frenzy, and little regard was paid to him. Nevertheless, he still persisted in his notion, had his coffin made, put himself in it several times, consulted the Parish Clerk about tolling the bell and other funeral rites, and likewise spoke to a stone cutter relating to an inscription he would have on his grave stone.

In short, he seemed positive as to his time of decease and told his Mistress, for whom he worked, that he would die before a certain forge chimney, then being re-built, was finished and this happened almost to the day! He was duly buried at Powick in the same grave as Elizabeth Goodman as requested. The grave stone has the following lines for the girl:

The Blooming Rose smiles with the morning sun,

Just then looks gay, but soon withers and is gone.

As pleasant flowers go swiftly to decay,

Our troubled life with sorrow flies away.

The Journal of 1751 said that below this inscription had been added:

Here lies the body of Bishop Simms who died November 1, 1751, aged 28.

Christ heard my call to be brought hither,

Hoping in Heaven to meet together.

Life is a jest, and all things show it.

I thought it once, but now I know it.