100 YEARS AGO:

CYCLING to school on Monday, a girl named Doris Lucy, residing in Bromyard Road, Worcester, had a particularly unpleasant experience. After cycling over Worcester Bridge she turned into North Quay when, in trying to avoid some cattle being taken to market, she fell over the stonework into the river just opposite the Old Rectifying House. Thankfully, she was quickly pulled out by a man named Ernest Elt, who rescued her from the streamer boat landing stage.

She was badly shaken and bruised and her chin was cut, but she was not seriously hurt. A nurse attended to her at the Old Rectifying House, after which she was conveyed home. Her machine was smashed.

● A boy named Edward Rouse, aged 13 of Chestnut Walk, Worcester, was admitted to the infirmary on Sunday suffering from a broken leg and other injuries. It appears that he was playing with some other boys in St George’s Square, and one of them was endeavouring to climb up a wall 12 feet high. These efforts resulted in the collapse of the wall which fell on Rouse causing the injuries.

150 YEARS AGO:

THE children of the Girls’ National School in Sansome Place, Worcester, had their annual treat before Christmas. A very plentiful supply of tea and plum cake was furnished by the liberal contribution of the ladies’ committee and other friends. After tea, the children sang in a creditable style The dawn of the day, Hurrah for England and some selections from Hullah.

After some innocent and sportive games, in which some of the ladies heartily joined, the entertainment was concluded by the singing of the National Anthem and the expression of thanks to their friends and the governess, Mrs Wickes for the kind attention that had been paid them.

● The idiot Bellamy. This individual, who of late has caused some amount of terror to many of our peaceful citizens in Worcester, is now lodged in Powick Asylum. After being sent to Worcester Workhouse on Friday by the magistrates, he managed to escape but was captured just outside the city by the police.

200 YEARS AGO:

IN consequence of the severity and long continuance of the frost, such considerable quantities of ice have flowed down the Severn that at most points, including Worcester, it is now completely frozen over.

● A most melancholy accident happened in this county on Wednesday morning which it is hoped may prove a salutary caution, particularly at this season of the year. A fine youth, about 18 years of age, was attempting to skate upon a deep water when the ice, not being sufficiently frozen, broke and was drowned.

250 YEARS AGO:

THE three criminals under sentence of death – Edward Goodall in the County Gaol and William Hamilton and John Joseph Boulton in our City Gaol, will not be executed till Wednesday next. Goodall is to be taken to the county gallows at Red Hill, and the other two will be hanged at Pitchcroft.

All of them behave in a manner well becoming persons in their unhappy situation, acknowledging their guilt with great penitence and contrition.