100 YEARS AGO:

ON Friday, a horse attached to a trap driven by Louis Curnock, farmer of Rous Lench, slipped in London Road, throwing Mr Curnock out. Before he could get up the horse bolted in the direction of the city. It got to the rear of a tramcar in Sidbury but then suddenly swerved to the wrong side of the road and dashed into a baker’s cart belonging to C Gibbs of Silver Street, Worcester, and being driven by a youth named George Lane. The shaft of the baker’s cart penetrated the runaway horse’s breast and it quickly died. The cart was damaged but fortunately no one was injured.

150 YEARS AGO:

A STRENUOUS effort has been made in the parish of All Saints, Worcester, for the removal of houses of ill repute. Detective Richardson has served notices on the occupants on behalf of the parish officers, to the effect that if the houses are continued as heretofore, the parties will be indicted at Worcester Quarter Sessions or at the assizes. In the wake of prosecutions the names of the respective landlords of such houses will of necessity be brought before the public.

200 YEARS AGO:

YESTERDAY a coroner’s inquest was taken at Ombersley before Mr Hill on the body of David Rice, a labouring man who was found dead in the turnpike road at Ombersley about midnight on Sunday. The Kidderminster stage wagon having been seen to pass just before the body was discovered, and the head being found much crushed, it was concluded that his death had been caused by the wheel going over him.

However, it appeared at the inquest that the deceased had been fighting near to the spot with a man of the name of Williams, who is supposed (the body being cold when discovered) to have given him a mortal blow, and who is committed for trial for manslaughter on the coroner’s warrant.

250 YEARS AGO:

LAST Sunday evening, some Methodists being assaulted at a house in Cooken Street in this city, just as they were in the height of their devotions, a mob beset the house, and broke all the windows, which put the inmates into so terrible a panic, that they ceased their devotions, and, as soon as they thought it was safe, quitted the premises.

􀁥 At Worcester Assizes this week, Emanuel Miers, for stealing a gold ring out of the shop of Mr Lutwyche, watch-maker of this city, was capitally convicted and received sentence of death, but was later reprieved and will be transported to His Majesty’s colonies for 14 years.

300 YEARS AGO:

A GOOD new brick house in Foregate Street, Worcester, over against the Green Dragon, is to be sold with a hall-parlour, kitchen, a double cellar, brew-house or wash-house, with a backside and stable, a pump, garden and necessary-house, a noble staircase, three large chambers on a floor, and next storey the same, with garrets over; all ceiled, with several pantries and closets.

Enquire of George Horniblow in the Shambles who also has to sell, a good horse-mill to grind malt, 14-foot wide in the ring, with a very good pair of stones and brass.