11:03am Monday 22nd February 2010
By Michael Grundy
250 YEARS AGO:
SUCH heavy, long continued rains as we have lately had in these parts were scarce ever known before and by the excessive high and extensive floods which have been occasioned, it is feared great damages have ensued.
The bridge over Laughern brook near this city has received great damage. Not far from Kidderminster, just as a wagon with several people in it was passing near a mill, the dam suddenly burst and so violent a torrent poured forth that the wagon and horses were presently set afloat and carried to a great distance, and all must have inevitably been lost had not the carriage providently catched itself to a large strong stump of a tree. All were rescued.
200 YEARS AGO:
IT is our painful task to record a catastrophe which has proved the destruction of one of the finest mansions in this county.
Glasshampton, the seat of the Rev DJJ Cookes, and the ancient residence of the Winford family, has been for some time undergoing alterations which were calculated to render it truly magnificent.
Mr Cookes and his family quitted the property during the repairs, and various workmen slept in the house at night. However, it is conjectured that on Thursday night the workmen left their fire and candles in a careless manner, and about 4am the staircase was discovered to be completely enveloped in flames, and before any effectual means could be taken to stop its progress, the fire had got possession of the whole interior of the house. About 7am the roof fell in with a tremendous crash and the volume of flame which immediately burst forth spread terror through the surrounding country. At this point the spectacle was awfully grand.
The devouring element raged with unchecked fury until about 9 am when this once magnificent mansion was reduced to a frightful heap of ruins, the main walls only being left standing. Nothing contained in the house was saved but the wines, some valuable paintings and an organ. The loss is estimated is be at least £20,000 and the whole was uninsured. The superb range of stabling, lately erected near the house, fortunately escaped without injury. Fire engines from Worcester, Stourport and Bewdley attended but by the time they arrived no efforts could stop the progress of the flames.
150 YEARS AGO:
HAMILTON’S diorama. We would recommend a visit to this exhibition at the Music Hall to all who wish to experience the pleasure of travelling without its attendant annoyances. The pictorial tour of the Continent makes Dover the point of departure and proceeds up the Rhine, through Switzerland and into Italy, returning through Switzerland into France.
The paintings are wellexecuted and afford fine illustrations of river, lake and mountain scenery with spirited sketches of cities and those prominent landmarks met with by the Continental tourist.
100 YEARS AGO:
A VERY attractive variety programme will be presented twice nightly next week. The bill is headed by the Great Brinn in a sensational act entitled ‘Pastimes on a Battleship’.
The setting represents a real battleship in full action. The quick firing gun to be used has been in operation in the Royal Navy and is open to inspection. The Great Brinn balances the gun on his chin. It weighs 390 lbs. and is valued at £400.
The Five Musical Tritons will give a musical scene with electrical effects.
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