1802: An Inquisition was taken before George Best, Gent., one of His Majesty's Coroners for this county, on view of the body of Mary Hopkins, lying dead, who on the preceding Wednesday wilfully threw herself into the River Stour and was drowned. The Jury, after a full investigation, returned a verdict of Self Murder, in consequence of which she was, by the virtue of the Coroner's Warrant, buried in the public highway. An improper connection with a young man, of whom she was jealous, is supposed to have been the reason for her committing such a rash act.

To The Ladies - Mrs Barnesley begs to acknowledge the very large state of public favour she has been honoured with, particularly in the general approbation of her Shape-Restoring Stay, which she introduced last year. She feels pleasure in offering New Articles too at her business at No.20 High Street, Worcester.

1902: Eight boys from houses in Copenhagen Street and Lich Street were all found guilty at the City Police Court of stealing eight bottles of soda water and four bottles of "pop," value 2/6d, from James Arthur Rossiter of the Worcester Bottling Company. Two of the boys who had been before the court previously were each ordered to receive nine strokes of the birch, while the other boys were sentenced to six strokes each.

Joel Witley, a groom, of Hallow Green, in the employ of Miss Binyon of Henwick Grange, Worcester, was riding a horse in Broad Street on Saturday when it bolted into the New Road. It collided with a dray, threw Witley, and cut its foreleg very badly. Witley fetched a veterinary surgeon and was then taken to the Infirmary, his back having been badly hurt.

1952: At the Theatre Royal all next week, Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society presents its 56th production - Gilbert and Sullivan's "The Mikado." An augmented orchestra will be under the direction of Walter Wilson. And at Dudley Hippodrome next week, the Great Irish Tenor Josef Locke.

The 1952 Three Counties Show to be held at Hindlip Park, Worcester in June has attracted 792 entries for its cattle classes, compared with 834 last year.

During Evensong at Rushock Church on Sunday, while the Rev R.C Moore was preaching, a snake emerged from one of the unoccupied front pews and made its way silently down the aisle towards the reading desk. Lady members of the congregation were unable to conceal their fright at the sight of the reptile and, ultimately, Mr J. Hopcroft of Hill Farm, left his seat, crushed the head of the snake with his foot and carried it lifeless from the church. The service was not interrupted by the disturbance.