ST MARTIN'S Church, at the Cornmarket, Worcester, emerged from a major renovation at this time exactly a century ago.

The Journal of August, 1900 explained: "St Martin's was officially re-opened with services last Sunday, having been closed for six weeks while undergoing a thorough renovation. The alterations and improvements are very striking.

"The walls have been panelled with dark oak and the seating has all been remodelled, slightly increasing the accommodation. Six windows, four of which by the West Gallery were formerly blocked up, have been filled with Cathedral glass.

"The organ has also been put into thorough repair and the church has been fitted throughout with electric lighting. New kneelers have been provided everywhere, and there are also new books for the choir.

"The redecoration of the church is at once simple and effective. The walls are coloured in a rich cream, with the reveals of the windows in blue, the columns being of stone grey. The Sanctuary has been treated separately, the decoration being in rich dark blue and Indian red plus gold inserted to great effect."

From religion, the same Journal edition switched to crime and punishment with a report from the City Police Court under the heading, "A Few Moments of Exquisite Pain."

"William Anderson, aged 14, of Court 1, Wellington Street was charged with stealing a basket at Shrub Hill Station containing a homing pigeon, value 7s.6d. It appeared that the boy had been whipped by court order three times before, and the magistrates considered sending him to a reformatory.

"However, they eventually chose instead to order him another 12 strokes of the birch. He evidently had unpleasant recollections of the birch for he cried the moment he knew he had to make its acquaintance again."

Also from the Journal of a century ago, we learn of the existence of a mini "Loch Ness Monster" lurking in the waters of the River Avon.

"There is a story going around of a wonderful pike in the Avon between Pershore and Bidford. According to popular tradition the fish is so huge that it can only turn at two places in the river - Norton Corner and the bathing place near Evesham, the two widest parts of the Avon. Clearly, it is of no mean size.

"One well-known angler at Evesham hooked this pike when trolling with good strong tackle. He played the fish for half-a-hour but lost him without the pike once rising to the surface. Pikes are known to reach 35 to 40lbs."

Also on the sporting scene 100 years ago, the legendary W.G Grace was up to his usual tricks on the County Ground, captaining the London County side against Worcestershire. He scored 72 and 110 not out and took three wickets in his club's convincing 166-run victory over Worcestershire.

At this time 50 years ago, the Faithful City had just staged its fourth annual Worcester Show - an event which has since disappeared from the local calendar. The 1950 show was held on the King's School Ground and attracted more than 9,000 visitors.

The Journal stated: "In the horticultural section, the vegetables were remarkable in size and quality, and the flowers presented a spectacle of outstanding beauty. Among the most successful exhibitors was Mr C. Langley, a railway guard of Rainbow Hill. He cultivates four allotments and won no fewer than 22 prizes at the show, followed by Mr F. Bridge with 19 and Mr George Brace with 12.

There were also two items with a military theme in the Journal of 50 years ago this week.

"The First Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment, which has recently been trained in jungle warfare, is to take over from the Coldstream Guards in Malaya.

"Albert Simons, the 53 years-old licensee of the New Inn, Broughton Hackett, has just received two war medals in the post. That's not unusual, you may say, except that Mr Simons has not worn khaki for 30 years. The medals, so late in arriving, were in recognition of his service in the First World War when he served in the Royal Garrison Artillery in Belgium and France."