BERROW'S Journal for this week a century ago carried the dramatic headline: "Ratepayers of Worcester in Revolt".

It seems that the rateable value of all houses, shops, offices, pubs and factories across the city had just been officially re-assessed for the first time in several years, with the effect that annual rate bills were to go up on average by more than 15 per cent.

The immediate result, according to the Journal, was a long procession of people going to lodge appeals against the new assessments on their properties.

Pubs had been hardest hit with larger than average increases in rate bills, partly it seems to reflect the "fancy prices" being asked in those times for licensed premises on the property market. More than 90 Worcester publicans were said to be appealing vigorously against the new assessments on their pubs.

And, according to the Journal, it was not just the city's ratepayers who were in rebellious mood 100 years ago but also inmates of the Worcester Workhouse.

"A mild and bloodless revolt has been seen at Tallow Hill. The able-bodied men of the Workhouse declined to do the stoking in the boiler house (which they cannot be compelled to do) unless they be given half-a-pint of beer each morning.

"The Board of Guardians discussed whether to give the beer or lunch, but declined to offer either. On the contrary, they conferred with the Master of the House and the Engineer and decided that an outside hand, who already helps the Engineer, should undertake the stoking.

''In addition to his existing wage of 18s. a week, he will now also to get free board and lodging. It is estimated this will cost 10s. a week though no calculation was made whether this would be more or less than the cost of the half-pints which were pleaded for."