THE historic Shakespeare Hotel in Angel Street, Worcester, clearly had quite a formidable landlady at this time 200 years ago, judging from a report in Berrow's Journal for this week of 1802

"A number of the light-fingered tribe attended our Races at Worcester last week, and several persons experienced the effects of their ingenuity. Some villains likewise contrived, by means of a pick lock key, to open the chamber door of Mr Hay at the Angel Inn, Silver Street. They then picked the lock of his bureau in order to steal thereout eighty guineas in cash and notes.

"Two men also attempted to rob Mrs Hurdman of the Shakespeare Inn at Angel Street. They had been drinking in the parlour and, watching for a favourable opportunity, took the candle and went upstairs where they broke open the maid-servant's room.

"They began rifling a chest of drawers but the noise they made in opening and shutting the drawers was fortunately overheard by Mrs Hurdman who sent the maid to ascertain the cause.

"Finding they were discovered, the fellows attempted to escape but were intercepted at the bottom of the stairs by Mrs Hurdman who courageously seized them both and held them until assistance was procured.

"They were taken into another apartment where, unperceived, they dropped some cash notes and a pick lock key, items which were later found. The cash notes are strongly suspected to be part of the moneys stolen from Mr Hay at the Angel Inn, Silver Street. The offenders have been to our city prison to await trial."