100 years ago - August 4, 1900

STRATFORD: Agricultural forecasts from Stratford-on-Avon for this year's harvest suggest that Barley is undoubtedly the best crop of the season and stands well, but from want of rain the sample is unlikely to be of good quality. It is estimated the yield will be at least 40 to 42 bushels per acre. The crop of oats varies a great deal, but it cannot be said that the probable yield will reach last year's quantity.

75 years ago - August 1, 1925

TEMPLE GRAFTON: A meeting of the Mothers' Union was held on Tuesday at the Vicarage, at which the opening of the Mary Summer House in London by HRH Princess Mary Viscountess Lascelles was listened to by wireless, operated by Mr Chesney Fisher. The opening ceremony was attentively followed and the members joined in singing the hymns. Afterwards, the members were entertained to tea by the Rev S B and Mrs Williams.

50 years ago - August 5, 1950

STRATFORD : Fifty Canadian boys on tour in England, came to Stratford last Friday to see places of Shakespearean interest and a festival performance of Much Ado About Nothing at the Memorial Theatre. The Canadians had tea in the Town Hall as the guests of the Mayor, Alderman Trevor Matthews, and there met senior boys from King Edward VI School, with Headmaster, Mr Leslie Watkins. Their visit was made possible by Mr Garfield Weston, who felt he would like to do something to enable Canadian and English boys to know more about each other and their countries.

25 years ago - July 31, 1975

WATER authorities for whom Stratford District Council collects rates may be told in the future they will have to do the job themselves. The council is unhappy with the situation because, acting as the collector of rates for the bigger authorities "It gets all the kicks from disgruntled rate-payers," members were told by Mr Percy Wheeler, finance sub-committee chairman.