100 YEARS AGO:

A TIMELY rescue was effected on Saturday afternoon near the Grand Stand Inn at Pitchcroft, Worcester, by Charles Webb, the bathing barge attendant.

A boy named Bernard Bevington (16) of the Box Works, Carden Street, and another named Gardner, the son of an insurance agent of Barbourne, were paddling a Canadian canoe when Gardner fell out and, as he could not swim, Bevington tried to seize him, but the canoe upset. Bevington, a swimmer, managed to hold Gardner with one hand and grasped the canoe with the other while the alarm was raised. It attracted the attention of Mr Webb who rowed to the spot and rescued the lads from their perilous position. They were taken to the Royal George Inn at Hylton Road where their clothes were dried.

150 YEARS AGO:

YESTERDAY afternoon, Henry Smith, a wagoner, aged 28, in the employ of W.

Lock of White Ladies Aston, near Pershore, was returning from Worcester in charge of a wagon and four horses. Whilst walking by the side of his team, one of the shafts struck him in the back and knocked him down, the wagon wheels passing over his chest. He was picked up and conveyed to the infirmary where his injuries were found to be fractures of the chest bone and ribs and severe contusions. He is progressing favourably. It seems that he had been imbibing rather too freely.

200 YEARS AGO:

ON Monday at one o’clock, members of the corporation of Worcester set off from the Guildhall to visit their noble recorder, the Earl of Coventry at Croome Court, his Lordship having sent his carriage and six horses to carry the Mayor, his chaplain, the high alderman and the town clerk. On arrival at Croome, the company proceeded to the saloon where they were introduced to the Countess of Coventry and partook of some refreshment. They then proceeded to the gardens and grounds, all the gates of which were thrown open, and amused themselves in fishing, sailing upon the lake etc.

Dinner was announced at four o’clock and the company of 56 persons sat at the tables, laid out with a profusion of magnificent plate and presenting a very sumptuous appearance. The guests enjoyed venison, turtle and every other delicacy. The dessert was peculiarly elegant, and the wines were of the rarest and best. The company left Croome at eight o’clock and it is almost needless to observe that everyone departed most highly gratified with the attention and hospitality afforded them by the noble host.

250 YEARS AGO:

ON Monday last, a foot-race for £20 was run in Pitchcroft near this city by one Horton, a Shropshire man, and John Pierce of Upton-upon- Severn, which was won by the former by about 150 yards and performed in about 23 minutes. And yesterday was run, at the same place, a match for 50 guineas, by a grey gelding belonging to Robert Cookes of Evesham and Robert Howorth’s gelding Merry Cupid, which was won by the latter with much difficulty.