In the Worcester Police Court during this week of 1901, George Alford, a farmer of Cotheridge, was fined 10 shillings for "furiously driving" a pony and trap at The Cross, Worcester.
"PC Steadman said the defendant had driven at 10 miles per hour and had ignored his instructions to go slowly."
The very gradual arrival of motor cars on to the Worcestershire scene was clearly a matter of some public concern 100 years ago.
One of the letters in the Berrow's Journal correspondence columns for this week of 1901 read: "We are just now troubled by a terrible nuisance and danger.
"A person, name unknown, rushes by this place and in the roads near here with a motor car, going round sharp corners at a fearful rate.
"Last Sunday, a friend of mine met the car on a corner at Spetchley and escaped with the greatest difficulty.
"I am afraid to pass from my front gate to the back gate as my home stands on a sharp bend in the road.
"What are we to do?"
The letter was signed - H.M. Sherwood, Aston Episcopi."
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