March 8 to March 15, 2010 (From Worcester News)

March 8 to March 15, 2010

11:34am Tuesday 9th March 2010 in

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100 YEARS AGO:

CONSIDERABLE public interest was shown in the police court proceedings at Droitwich on Thursday when a dozen men were charged with rioting and failing to disperse after the Riot Act had been read on Saturday following the declaration of the general election poll for the constituency.

Police Inspector Lewis said a crowd had assembled in Droitwich High Street on Saturday night and there were general threats of violence towards the successful Conservatives.

The ringleaders began to incite the growing crowd and refused to move away.

Their behaviour was riotous and tumultuous and extra police were sent for. Later, stones were repeatedly thrown through the windows of the Waggon and Horses Inn, and the disturbances continued until about 11pm when the chief constable sent for the Mayor of Droitwich, Councillor Gabb who immediately read the Riot Act amid great shouting and cheering.

Despite the mayor’s intervention, the crowd did not disperse and became more riotous. Just before midnight, mounted police arrived and were ordered to clear the streets. The crowd eventually dispersed and the riot ringleaders were arrested. Insp Lewis said that afterwards he interviewed the wife and children of the landlord of the Waggon and Horses and several High Street shopkeepers who had all been distressed and terrorised by the disorder.

The defendants, aged between 20 and 41, all local and salt makers or labourers, were sent for trial to the assizes in Worcester.

150 YEARS AGO:

ELLEN Evans, aged four years, living with her parents in New Passage, Dolday, Worcester, being left in the house with two other children on Monday evening, accidentally ignited her clothes, and before assistance could be obtained, was burnt so severely about the hands, chest and face as to cause her death on the following day. At the inquest a verdict of “accidental death” was returned.

● Some thieves entered the back premises at the Telegraph Tavern in George Street, Worcester, early on Monday morning by sliding open the bar window and stole from the till about six shillings in copper and silver, leaving a marked penny and several farthings behind them. A quantity of provisions, together with some tobacco and other things were in the bar at the time, but these were left untouched. The thieves obtained ready egress by climbing over the wall into St Martin’s Street near the back of Messrs Grainger and Company’s china factory, a locality which is badly lighted at night.

200 YEARS AGO:

No doubt many of our readers recollect the gratification they experienced some time since in inspecting the menagerie of Mr Polito which contains perhaps the finest collection of living curiosities in this kingdom. Readers will therefore be greatly pleased to learn that this menagerie is now exhibiting again at the Tything and Mr Polito anticipates a numerous company to witness it afresh.

250 YEARS AGO:

LAST Tuesday morning, one Sarah Gwynn, a poor old milk woman, was found dead in a watery ditch near the windmill about half-amile from this city. It is supposed she missed her way in the dark as she was going home at night and fell into the ditch. A cut was observed on her forehead, occasioned it is imagined by falling against the edge of a pail that was found by her.