EXECUTIONS at Red Hill Worcester's traditional gallows site for centuries featured prominently in the Journal news for this week of 250 and 200 years ago.

In 1751, the Worcester Journal reported on two hangings at Red Hill: Yesterday, William MacAuly and Anthony Cradock, condemned at our last Worcester Assizes, were carried in a cart to the Place of Execution where they remained about an hour before they were turned off.

They hung for about three-quarters-of-an-hour before being cut down, and their bodies were put into coffins and delivered to their friends.

Both condemned men were very devoutly joined in Prayer. MacAuly, addressing himself to the people, desired them, in very pathetic terms, to take warning from his unhappy fate, exhorting them to be very observant of the Sabbath Day and to avoid drunkenness, profaneness and debauchery.

''He concluded by stating he was in perfect charity and forgiveness towards all Mankind and was in humble confidence of the Forgiveness of God, dying in the Faith of the Church of England.

MacAuly had received the death sentence in the Worcester Guildhall Courtroom for the murder of a young city baker who was stabbed in the chest when the two men fought over a fireside seat in a local tavern.

Cradock, condemned to death for stealing a saddle and bridle, was clearly distressed by his fate and had little to say expect to ask for God's Forgiveness.

There were present an incredible number of spectators, all of whom we find were not duly affected at so shocking a scene, for some people, we hear, had their pockets picked near the Gallows.

Moving ahead 50 years to 1801, the Journal carried an account of another execution: "On Friday, Benjamin Jones Scrivens was hanged at Red Hill, pursuant to his sentence at our last Worcester Assizes for sheep stealing.