BREDON HILL, that picturesque feature of the South Worcestershire countryside, was apparently hit by an earthquake this week 200 years ago.

Berrow's Journal of 1800 reported: "A chasm of great length and several yards in depth has, within the last few days, appeared on the summit of that part of Bredon Hill adjoining Great Comberton. It continues to increase in size daily.

"It is conjecture that it has been caused by an earthquake, a slight shock of which was felt by several persons in the neighbourhood."

Also this week two centuries ago, the land which today forms the Worcester Golf and Country Club at Boughton Park, was on the market to be leased.

A public notice in Berrow's Journal announced: "Farm at St John's - To be Let, a very desirable Estate called Boughton. The premises consist of an exceedingly good Farmhouse with all necessary outbuildings and about 125 acres of rich arable, meadow and pasture land, lying within a ring fence around the house and adjoining the turnpike road leading to Leigh.

"The Estate may be viewed by applying to Mr Richard Oakly, the present tenant. Proposals can only be accepted from persons of character and responsibility."

A century ago this week, one of Worcester's famous but now long lost firms was in the business news.

The Journal reported: "Worcester products have a world-wide fame, and among those which are justly celebrated is Messrs Hill, Evans' pure malt vinegar." (The firm operated the Vinegar Works, the extensive Victorian buildings of which still exist alongside Lowesmoor and Pheasant Street).

"Big businesses in all parts of the country are being converted into public companies, and it is rumoured Hill, Evans will follow the fashion.

"The firm has been established in the city for more than 70 years. One of the late partners, Mr T. Rowley Hill was Mayor of Worcester and, for many years, the city's MP in the House of Commons. He was a very wealthy man, most of his money having been made in the business. Another partner, the late Mr Edward Bickerton Evans, was High Sheriff of the county. He too amassed a large fortune which was derived chiefly from the business.

"From what we have been able to gather, the conversion of Hill, Evans to a company is to take place very soon and it will offer Worcester people the opportunity to acquire an interest in a very fine local business."

A fascinating find was also made in the Faithful City this week 100 years ago. The Journal explained: "A portion of the old 13th Century City Wall has been found during building work to complete Trinity Street.

"It is a picturesque stone archway, and there is speculation that it may have formed part of the original St Martin's Gate through the City Walls. It is to be re-built in the gardens adjoining the Public Hall in the Cornmarket where it will be preserved and, at the same time, will form an ornamental feature of the grounds."

There were a rare military award for a Worcester Roman Catholic priest this week 50 years ago. The Journal reported that Father V.N Gegan, parish priest of St George's, Worcester, had been presented with the Belgiun Military Cross.

He had given seven years distinguished war service as a chaplain with the fighting forces, first in France and Belgium before the Dunkirk evacuation, then with the 8th Army in Africa, Sicily and Italy, and finally, after D-Day, in Normandy, Belgium and Holland.

There was joy too in this week of 1950 for the many local authorities and protest groups which had been campaigning vigorously against a plan for extensive open cast coal mining on many acres of countryside around Abberley. The Government finally shelved the scheme in the face of such considerable opposition.