1802: On Tuesday, a violent storm of rain fell on the Parish of Abberley, attended by thunder and lightning. A beautiful old oak, containing three tons of timber and gracing the ground of Mrs Blayny, was shattered by a lightning strike in a most dramatic manner. A bomb or large quantity of gunpowder lodged in the tree and fired could not have had such a devastating impact.

On Wednesday evening last, the shop till of Mrs Rose, Perfumer, of Broad Street in this city was robbed, while she turned into an adjoining room, of one guinea, three half-guineas, a seven shilling piece, a crown piece and some loose silver. Two velvet hats were likewise stolen from the window. The villains, unfortunately, escaped with their booty unnoticed.

1902: Dr Edward Elgar has accepted the office of Conductor of the Morecambe Musical Festival, which will be held next year. It will be in the nature of an eisteddfod but with choral and other competitions as special features. The programme will include Dr Elgar's cantata "The Banner of St George".

Worcestershire County Council will be asked next week to consider the expediency of making a by-law to ban spitting.

Margaret Saunders (40), married woman of Hare's Lane, Worcester, was found guilty at the City Police Court of being drunk and disorderly in the Shambles. P.C Short said that she had been flinging fish about. Defendant asked for leniency in consideration of her children and as it was for first offence. She was fined 2s.6d.

A body of recruits, over 100 in number, marched through Worcester from Norton Barracks to Foregate Street Station on route for Tipperary. The depot band accompanied them for some of the distance.

1952: South Worcestershire, with its population of 150,000, has so far seen 35 cases of poliomyelitis this year, two of which have proved fatal.

Home Office figures show that Worcestershire now has a total of 2,293 Civil Defence volunteers, the second largest strength of any Midland county, beaten only by Warwickshire.

During the dance which followed the first Alfrick and Lulsley Horticultural Show and Sports, the Church Hall was invaded by hornets. Mr G. Jines, who was stung, received first aid before being taken to the doctor for treatment.

Important Notice - Oxo Limited regret that they are obliged to increase the price of the familiar Oxo cube to 7d for six and two-and-a-half pence for two.

On stage at the Dudley Hippodrome all next week, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, the famous Hollywood film stars.