100 YEARS AGO:

WORCESTER once again justified its claim to the title “the Faithful City.” By religious services and social gatherings and by a liberal display of flags and of portraits of the king and queen, the city testified its attachment and devotion to the throne. The loyalty of the citizens was expressed in many ways during the days of preparation for the Coronation and its accompanying festivities.

All tradesmen closed their establishments and the factories and works marked the day as a holiday. Large crowds gathered in the heart of the city and there were many joyful peals from the bells of Worcester’s churches. Soon after 10 o’clock the band of the 8th Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment began playing outside the Guildhall and then the Public Hall. A special service of thanksgiving was held at the cathedral attended by a very large congregation including the Mayor and corporation and representatives of all walks of life in the city and county.

A vast concourse of people gathered on Pitchcroft for a full day’s programme of sports, entertainment and band concerts, and at 1pm, 2,000 aged poor people of Worcester were entertained to dinner at various locations in the city.

Worcester Workhouse was nicely decorated and the inmates were given a dinner of roast beef, mutton and plum pudding with beer, stout and mineral water, after which tobacco, pipes, snuff, tea and sugar were distributed. All the children from the Royal Albert Orphanage, Henwick Road were taken by boat down the Severn to Tewkesbury for the day. The exterior of the Guildhall has never been more brightly decorated with flags, bunting and flowers.

150 YEARS AGO:

A YOUTH, William Hughes was summonsed at the Worcester County Petty Sessions for stealing turnip tops from a field belonging to Joseph Featherstone of the parish of St John’s. The lad was caught by Mr Featherstone in the act of cutting the tops from the turnips and putting them in his bag. The youth was sentenced to a month’s hard labour.

200 YEARS AGO:

AN inquest has taken place at Redmarley in this county on the body of John Hands, a boy about 14 years of age who was found strangled by an ox chain, fastened round his neck and fixed to a beam in the ox house belonging to his master. The deceased was very happy in his situation and as no motive could be assigned to suppose that he would commit the horrid crime of self-murder.

The jury concluded that the cause of his death was more the effect of an accident than otherwise and returned their verdict accordingly.

250 YEARS AGO:

WHEREAS William Gunard, apprentice to Richard Price, tailor and salesman, near the Bridge End, Bewdley, did in the night of the 4th instant, absent himself from his said master’s service, this is to forewarn all persons against employing or harbouring the said William Gunard at their peril, but whoever will secure him (so that he may be brought to justice) shall be well rewarded by me, Richard Price.

NB The said William Gunard is about 18 years old, but short for his age, has long straight brown hair and is much pitted with the small-pox. He had on when he went away, an old hat, an old coat with dark lining, an old pair of cloth-breeches, home-knit russet woollen stockings and a pair of new shoes.

300 YEARS AGO:

THE lease of the Green Dragon in Foregate Street, Worcester, (being the exciseoffice and a very convenient and well-accustomed inn), together with the goods and furniture of the house, are to be sold.

Enquire at the Green Dragon aforesaid.