News down the years

250 Years Ago (1754)

Notice is hereby given that the Worcester Stage-Coach for London now goes twice a week (viz. Tuesdays and Fridays) from the Bell Inn, Broad Street and will continue the same during the summer season.

At the Court of Guardians of the Poor of the City of Worcester, held at the Hop Market, an order was made for the dividing of 300 pounds amongst the poor of the several parishes at Easter, which is a larger sum than has been divided in any preceding year.

To be sold to the Best Bidder at the Guildhall on Wednesday next - Three Tenements, commonly called the Pageant Houses, situate in the Cornmarket and currently held under lease by the Corporation of Worcester. For further particulars enquire of Mr Thomas Wakeman, Chamberlain.

200 Years Ago (1804)

As two persons were returning from Pershore to this city on Friday night last, they were stopped on the road near Whittington by two footpads, one of whom attempted to seize the reins of the horse of the foremost, but the animal sprang forward and the man luckily escaped, having a large sum about him at the time. However, the villains succeeded in robbing the other man of his cash and a pocket book containing various bills, with which they got clear off.

The master tailors of this City of Worcester respectfully inform the public that they have been obliged to advance their journeymen's wages. This follows several having left their employers or gone from the town in search of better payment. The trade trusts that a small advance in price on each garment will not be thought unreasonable.

150 Years Ago (1854)

The Worcester Militia have been drilling actively during the past week, but holiday folk and visitors on Monday and Tuesday were attracted in throngs to Pitchcroft to watch the evolution of the men, who were rather embarrassed in their movements in consequence. The services of the Police, in addition to the sergeants to keep back the crowd, had to be called in by requisition.

The Saracen's Head Bowling Green, Worcester - This old established place of recreative amusement has been opened for the season. The green is in good order.

Francis Burgoyn, a hawker residing in Dolday, Worcester, was fined five shillings with five shillings costs or, in default, seven days imprisonment to hard labour, at the Worcester Police Court for being drunk and for assaulting Pol. Cons Hunting at the Glover's Arms in Powick Lane.

100 Years Ago (1904)

Charles McGeary of Court Road, Malvern, who went through the Indian Mutiny and took part in several engagements, has just received from the War Office a medal for meritorious service. A native of Worcester, he is nearly 80 and served in the 24th Foot, now known as the South Wales Borderers. The old man was greatly pleased to receive the medal - even 50 years late!

A fire was discovered on Friday in an upper floor of the Berrow's Journal offices. The tremendous volume of water poured upon the flames by the City Police Fire Brigade caused considerable damage in the lower floors. The printing machines, being in deep water, could not be started for some time despite energetic pumping out operations. Frequent stoppages also took place later, though this week's edition has not been delayed.

50 Years Ago (1954)

Many Droitwich people and a large number of distinguished guests saw Sir Chad Woodward, chairman of Worcestershire County Council, officially open the new Droitwich Park and "Sea Bathing" Lido on Saturday. The opening ceremony was followed by a swimming gala in which displays were given by Ted Temme, the first man to swim the English Channel both ways, and by Willy Van Rysel, the former Dutch ladies swimming champion.

Furniture and pictures, fabrics and pottery are among the types of work on exhibition by the Worcestershire Guild of Artist-Craftsmen at the City Art Gallery until May 1.

Mrs Fanny Hopkins, Evesham's oldest inhabitant, was 104 on Wednesday. All morning she sat in the living room of her home at Northwick Road receiving callers, among them Evesham's Mayor and Mayoress.

SNIPPETS from the Worcester Journal, the world's oldest surviving newspaper, give a colourful insight into what was happening in the city and county this week:

250 Years Ago (1754)

Notice is hereby given that the Worcester Stage-Coach for London now goes twice a week (viz. Tuesdays and Fridays) from the Bell Inn, Broad Street and will continue the same during the summer season.

At the Court of Guardians of the Poor of the City of Worcester, held at the Hop Market, an order was made for the dividing of 300 pounds amongst the poor of the several parishes at Easter, which is a larger sum than has been divided in any preceding year.

To be sold to the Best Bidder at the Guildhall on Wednesday next - Three Tenements, commonly called the Pageant Houses, situate in the Cornmarket and currently held under lease by the Corporation of Worcester. For further particulars enquire of Mr Thomas Wakeman, Chamberlain.

200 Years Ago (1804)

As two persons were returning from Pershore to this city on Friday night last, they were stopped on the road near Whittington by two footpads, one of whom attempted to seize the reins of the horse of the foremost, but the animal sprang forward and the man luckily escaped, having a large sum about him at the time. However, the villains succeeded in robbing the other man of his cash and a pocket book containing various bills, with which they got clear off.

The master tailors of this City of Worcester respectfully inform the public that they have been obliged to advance their journeymen's wages. This follows several having left their employers or gone from the town in search of better payment. The trade trusts that a small advance in price on each garment will not be thought unreasonable.

150 Years Ago (1854)

The Worcester Militia have been drilling actively during the past week, but holiday folk and visitors on Monday and Tuesday were attracted in throngs to Pitchcroft to watch the evolution of the men, who were rather embarrassed in their movements in consequence. The services of the Police, in addition to the sergeants to keep back the crowd, had to be called in by requisition.

The Saracen's Head Bowling Green, Worcester - This old established place of recreative amusement has been opened for the season. The green is in good order.

Francis Burgoyn, a hawker residing in Dolday, Worcester, was fined five shillings with five shillings costs or, in default, seven days imprisonment to hard labour, at the Worcester Police Court for being drunk and for assaulting Pol. Cons Hunting at the Glover's Arms in Powick Lane.

100 Years Ago (1904)

Charles McGeary of Court Road, Malvern, who went through the Indian Mutiny and took part in several engagements, has just received from the War Office a medal for meritorious service. A native of Worcester, he is nearly 80 and served in the 24th Foot, now known as the South Wales Borderers. The old man was greatly pleased to receive the medal - even 50 years late!

A fire was discovered on Friday in an upper floor of the Berrow's Journal offices. The tremendous volume of water poured upon the flames by the City Police Fire Brigade caused considerable damage in the lower floors. The printing machines, being in deep water, could not be started for some time despite energetic pumping out operations. Frequent stoppages also took place later, though this week's edition has not been delayed.

50 Years Ago (1954)

Many Droitwich people and a large number of distinguished guests saw Sir Chad Woodward, chairman of Worcestershire County Council, officially open the new Droitwich Park and "Sea Bathing" Lido on Saturday. The opening ceremony was followed by a swimming gala in which displays were given by Ted Temme, the first man to swim the English Channel both ways, and by Willy Van Rysel, the former Dutch ladies swimming champion.

Furniture and pictures, fabrics and pottery are among the types of work on exhibition by the Worcestershire Guild of Artist-Craftsmen at the City Art Gallery until May 1.

Mrs Fanny Hopkins, Evesham's oldest inhabitant, was 104 on Wednesday. All morning she sat in the living room of her home at Northwick Road receiving callers, among them Evesham's Mayor and Mayoress.