AN interesting piece of social comment appeared in "Crowquill's" column in the Berrow's Journal edition for this week 100 years ago.

"A widow of nearly 90 years fell on the fire in her house at Pershore last weekend and was so badly burned that she died shortly afterwards.

"Like so many others, she had a strong prejudice against the workhouse and would not go there. At the inquest, the Coroner expressed the hope that the day would come when people like the deceased would be able to have some specific accommodation distinct from the less respectable class.

"We thoroughly agree with him. The reform of the Poor Law administration is an urgent necessity. Those who have led respectable lives but have not been able to save for their declining years ought not to be accommodated in the workhouses. They should be offered places in adjacent cottage homes."