100 Years Ago

June 16, 1906

An extraordinary meeting of the parishioners of Defford and the outlying district, instigated by the members of the Working Men's Institute, was held on a patch of green at the rear of the village church on Wednesday evening. The chairman was Mr. J. A. Davies, who stood on a chair in the midst of a crowd numbering about 200, which included Inspector Bromage, of Pershore, and other police constables. Mr. Davies submitted the following resolution: "That we, the members of Defford Working Men's Institute, and parishioners, desire to express our indignation at the unkindly and unchristianlike treatment by the Vicar of our parish towards us on our fete day by his refusal to allow the flag to be raised on the church tower, and ringing of the bells." The resolution was carried unanimously, and it is also publicly decided to send a copy to the Bishop and the Press.

75 Years Ago

June 13, 1931

The shock of the greatest earthquake this country has ever known, which occurred between one and two o'clock on Sunday morning, was felt as acutely in the Evesham district as anywhere in the Midlands. No casualties or damage have been reported locally, but many people were awakened and not a little alarmed by the experience. The shock was felt very distinctly at the Evesham Hospital and Union, and at both these institutions a large number of people were awakened. There was some alarm among the older inmates of the Union, and a few left their beds until they had been reassured by members of the staff that everything was all right. At Fladbury, the noise was like the passing of heavy traffic, and a number of residents ran to their windows to see what was amiss.

50 Years Ago

June 16, 1956

Evesham water supply has been back to normal this week. Restrictions imposed at the end of May were relaxed after the Council's main reservoir had regained a safe level. But the borough surveyor (Mr. J. Hodson) said on Tuesday that there was still an emergency and supplies would be cut again if necessary. Soon, he added, Evesham fruit-processing factories would be in full production and using water continuously throughout each day. This would be a big strain on the supply and the Council would wait and see what the effect would be. A day and night check is being kept on the level of the reservoir, which by May 26 had dropped five feet below normal. Originally the water supply was cut off from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. When the position became less critical the supply was not cut off until 11 p.m.