100 YEARS AGO:

A PLUCKY rescue was effected from the canal on Monday afternoon. While two lads were playing below the Blockhouse Bridge locks, one of them named Reginald Griffiths fell into the water and, but for the promptness and pluck of Henry Fletcher of 14 Wellington Street, would have drowned. Great praise is due to the man. He had been ill for some time and could not swim. He was in difficulties himself when two other men pulled him and the boy out. We think this is a case which the Royal Humane Society should take up as the water was nearly 20ft deep at the spot.

150 YEARS AGO:

FOUR boys named John Taylor, Joseph Cope, John Cotterill and Samuel Sutton were brought up at Worcester Police Court for being disorderly and annoying the school mistress of the British School in St Paul’s. These lads and a number of others have for several months caused great annoyance to the mistress and her scholars by ringing the bell, throwing stones etc. The parents of the boys promised to give them a sound flogging if they were discharged. The bench agreed to discharge the boys on the understanding that the required punishment would be administered by their parents.

200 YEARS AGO:

ON Saturday, as a man of the name of James Heath of this city was standing in a wagon which contained a large cask, the horses unexpectedly moved and the cask rolling against him, drove him out of the wagon and, in falling, struck him so violent a blow on the head as to cause concussion of the brain. He was immediately taken to our infirmary where the best medical aid was afforded him, but he died on Monday morning.

An inquest was held on the body yesterday by Mr Platt, coroner. Verdict: accidental death. It may not be improper in this place to remark that when accidents of this kind occur, it is highly imprudent and dangerous to place the patient in a cart or any other conveyance which will shake or jolt him. A hand barrow, a shutter or a chair are the most proper to be used on such occasions.

250 YEARS AGO:

THE King’s Highway and the passage in and through the Shambles and the streets adjoining is greatly obstructed by the erection of stalls for the county butchers. To remedy this inconvenience and for the better accommodation of the said butchers; public notice is hereby given that from July, a market or Shambles will be opened for the said county butchers at the bottom of the yard or backside belonging to the Globe Inn in this city and adjoining to the old Shambles, in which new market or Shambles proper and convenient stalls with sheds are to be erected for their reception and all country butchers, who shall bring meat to this city for sale, are hereby required to resort to the said new Shambles or market from thenceforth and not to keep any stalls or standings in any other place. By order of the Right Worshipful the Mayor and justices of the said city.

300 YEARS AGO:

TO be let, the Rain-Deer near the Corn Market, Worcester, being a large capacious inn, whereto belongs noble sellaridge [sic], warehousing, coach house and dry stabling for accommodation of 100 horses, with two gardens behind and other necessaries. Enquire of William Swift at his house called the Blankets, or Charles Swift in Worcester.