300 YEARS AGO:

THIS is to give notice that John Dale, living in St John’s near the city of Worcester, doth scale and cleanse the blackest and yellowest teeth and make them white as ivory, and that without pain to the party he hath likewise an extraordinary water and powder which cures the scurvy in the gums and preserves the mouth, teeth and jaws from scurvy to great satisfaction; likewise draws teeth with great ease and safety. He will wait upon gentry, or others at their houses, if desired.

250 YEARS AGO:

WE hear from Bredon that on Monday afternoon, they had a terrible storm of thunder and lightning, attended with hail and rain, which did damage to the corn in that parish to the amount of £300 and that a poor woman, who was in the storm, either through surprise or by the violence of the hail, died as soon as she got home..

200 YEARS AGO:

NUMBER 57 High Street (opposite the Old Bank), Worcester. R Lewis, linendraper, haberdasher and hosier begs leave to inform the ladies of Worcester and its vicinity that he has selected from the first markets, a large and extensive assortment of the goods in which he trades, well adapted for the present season.

He is determined to sell some of the greatest bargains ever offered to the public, including of prints and ginghams from 6d a yard, white calicos from 4d a yard, pocket handkerchiefs and black stockings from 12d a pair.

150 YEARS AGO:

AN inquest has been held at the infirmary on Anthony Hunt, aged 21 of Kempsey.

Fellow labourer John Crump said he and the deceased were going to fetch a cheese press from Woodhall and, when near Thomas Hook’s at Newland Farm, they heard a train coming towards Worcester, and the deceased caught hold of the horse by the mullion on the off side.

When the train came under the bridge it made a great noise and the horse started and the wheel knocked the deceased down.

He was taken by cart to the infirmary with a very severe fracture to the hip and spinal injuries which caused paralysis. He died a few days later. Verdict: Accidental death.

100 YEARS AGO:

TO cruise for a fortnight on a luxurious liner amidst the magnificent scenery of the Norwegian fjords, to go ashore at will and drive or walk through pine woods and mountains, is the recipe for a complete well-rounded holiday.

The feature this year of the Orient Cruise programme is the size and magnificence of the vessel employed.

The Otranto is a twinscrew steamer of 12,124 tons, one of the five big ships recently added to the Orient Fleet.

The accommodation on board is palatial. First class passengers only are carried, the fares ranging from 12 guineas upwards. An illustrated booklet can be obtained from local agencies in Worcester.