10:50am Monday 4th January 2010
By Michael Grundy
250 YEARS AGO:
Having been honoured with an invitation from the Earl of Coventry, the mayor, the sheriff, most of the aldermen and several other members of the Worcester Corporation dined with his Lordship on Tuesday at his seat at Croome where a most magnificent entertainment was provided on the occasion.
● On Sunday last, a poor man of Kempsey, near Worcester, being disordered in mind, threw himself into the river Severn and was drowned.
200 YEARS AGO:
On Saturday about 11pm, a man who was walking along North Quay, Worcester, by some accident fell into the river and would certainly have drowned had not a man who was in a barge near the spot rescued him, by leaning over and dragging him out of the water. The bargeman has since received the reward which is given by the Severn Humane Society on such occasions. Since the establishment of this society in 1786, about 600 people have been restored to life through rescuers who have been rewarded from the fund provided by subscribers contributing half-a-guinea a year.
150 YEARS AGO:
Letter to the editor re the new Worcester and Hereford Railway. Sir, I wish to call the attention of the trustees of the turnpike roads and the city authorities to the danger and inconvenience to the public of the newlyinstalled level crossing on the Henwick turnpike road.
I have been in the habit of travelling along the road two or three times a week for more than 50 years but cannot venture to do so again over the level crossing. When the station at Henwick has been completed the risk of accident will no doubt be increased and at all events, on market days especially, teams and persons in carriages or on horseback will be inconvenienced by the delay of shutting the gates till trains have passed (perhaps three or four in the hour). I can suggest no remedy, except building a bridge over the crossing, or an archway under it, one of which is absolutely necessary for the safety and convenience of the public.
Your obedient servant, Francis Williams, Laughern Hill, Wichenford.
100 YEARS AGO:
WHAT promises to be the greatest successful pantomime ever produced in Worcester is Babes in the Wood, devised and arranged by Arthur Carlton, the popular lessee of our Theatre Royal. The opening two performances were on Boxing Day and continues on stage until mid-January.
It will prove an entertainment pleasing to old and young alike. The staging, scenery and costumes, executed by the best Parisian and London firms and artists, are on a scale of magnificence seldom attempted in Worcester. The music has been composed and arranged by the theatre’s popular musical director, JW Austin. The principal role is played by Miss Gertie Douglas, and grand specialities include the Fantasia Dancing Troupe, the Harley and Melton comedy duo, the Fire Queen’s dance and the Hobby Horse ballet.
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