100 YEARS AGO: A REMARKABLE occurrence took place in a field near the gas works at Lowesmoor, Worcester, on Friday. Two horses belonging to the gas company were seen to be fighting furiously. Both died as the result of injuries sustained in the encounter.

􀁥 John Powell Wall, aged 43, a farmer of Green Street, Kempsey, near Worcester, was fatally shot in a field on his farm. He left home in the early morning on Saturday with a gun and the accident happened when he was getting over a hedge.

Apparently he laid the gun on a stake but the shot discharged and entered into his body, death resulting shortly afterwards. The deceased gentlemen leaves a widow and three children.

Inquest Verdict: Accidental death.

150 YEARS AGO:

THE musical fete of Saturday last at these grounds was a decided success. Happily fair weather prevailed and drew to the gardens such a company of fashionable visitors as had hardly been gathered together on the same spot since the opening of the grounds to the public.

The special train brought a fair complement of strangers but the majority of the company present were residents of Worcester and the vicinity. The chief attraction was the Band of the Coldstream Guards which discoursed sweet music for several hours to the infinite gratification of the enrapt audience. It is not every day that provincials have an opportunity of listening to the strains of such accomplished executants of military music. The directors of the Arboretum grounds deserve the acknowledgements of the public for thus catering for their pleasure.

200 YEARS AGO:

WE are happy to learn that W Welch of Hawford, near Worcester, has, with highly commendable public spirit, taken measures for improving the Ombersley road near his house, by taking it through the grounds to the left of the present road and, by that means, avoiding so abrupt a descent as exists at present.

The commissioners of turnpikes have presented him with a sum of money to assist in the completion of the undertaking, and some individuals have likewise subscribed towards it.

250 YEARS AGO:

ON Saturday last, a person who goes by the name of John Sullivan, with a woman who passes for his wife, was apprehended in Worcester and committed to gaol on suspicion of picking pockets. They brought to town with them a brown bay gelding and a grey mare which are supposed to be stolen. Sullivan says he bought the gelding of one John Ellit at Hereford for £2.15s and the grey mare of one Christopher Gill of Bransford for 40s. Sullivan is about five feet nine inches high, has a pale complexion and seems to be about 26 years-old, wears a brown wig and a dark grey coat and waistcoat. He has been detected in many lies and is a very suspicious fellow.

300 YEARS AGO:

WE give notice that one who calls himself Richard Pigford, a lusty, well-built man aged about 40 years, with a stern sour look, a very small scar on his forehead, wears a black silk cap with a flopping hat over it, hath a wide coat on of a dark drab colour, and pretends to be a stone-cutter, was on Monday apprehended and brought before John Francombe, Mayor of Worcester, upon suspicion of stealing a black mare.