Stories from the early days

October 19 A YOUNG single woman was taken into custody on suspicion of murdering her infant child, which was found drowned in a pool near Littleton-on-Sever, Thornbury. At the inquest the jury returned a verdict of manslaughter.

ACCIDENT: OnWednesday a man named Charles Evans, of Bradley Hill, met with an accident by falling from the staging in connexion (CORR) with the Severn Bridge, 60 feet into the Severn, from which he was rescued in an exhausted condition. He will, it is expected, be able short to resume his work.

October 26

DURSLEY County Court: There were several judgement summonses disposed of by C Summers Esq, judge, and about 30 cases heard by the Registrar. The only one of any public interest was the following: Charles Siniger v Herbert Kendall. The plaintiff sued the defendant for 8s, the amount of an excursion ticket to Barry Island. An excursion was advertised last August to leave Dursley for Barry Island. The plaintiff bought a ticket, but when he got down to Sharpness, from which place the boat was advertised to start, he found it overcrowded and it could not take him. Judgement for the plaintiff for the amount claimed.

AN INCORRIGIBLE: Harriet Cox, a pauper in the Dursley Workhouse, was brought up before G A Graham Esq for the thirteenth time for disorderly conduct in the house. Committed for ten days.

November 2

FATAL ACCIDENT: On Friday as Mr W Codrington was driving a horse and trap on the road from buckover to Cromhall about 7 o'clock in the evening, with a boy named Henry Pimmigar, the horse stumbled, and being pulled up rather sharp, began backing, and collided with the bank by the side of the road. The force of the collision threw Mr Codrington and the boy out, and the horse fell on the poor boy, who was killed on the spot. An inquest was held on Monday last at the Red Lion Inn, Cromhall, before Dr E M Grace, coroner for West Gloucestershire, and a verdict of accidental death was returned. Mr Codrington was uninjured with the exception of a few scratches and bruises.

WOTTON MAYOR'S DINNER: On Monday evening last the Myaor-elect, Mr George Ricketts, on his entering office, gave his inauguration dinner at the Swan Hotel, when forty of the gentlemen and tradesmen of the town and neighbourhood sat down to a recherche repast. Host Brain catered with many delicacies and things substantial, and the company gave ample proof that the good things were appreciated. The Mayor precided, supported on the right by the retiring Mayor, Mr V R Perkins, and on the left by the Rev J C Taylor. The vice-chair was filled by the Sergeant-at-Mace, Mr M Richings. On the removal of the cloth, the Mayor proposed the usual loyal and patriotic toasts, also a few local ones, all of which were briefly responded to. Several songs were sung, and the party retired pleased with the very social manner in which the evening had been spent.

November 9

SHARPNESS: On the evening of the 5th, four bonfires were lit on the docks. One opposite the Pier View Hotel, one near the Post Office, one near the Severn side and another near Lug's farmhouse. Mr A Neal, of the Pier View Hotel, had a capital display of fireworks on his lawn, as also Mr Ashby, of the Oldminster Arms, opposite. Upwards of 1000 people assembled to watch them. The Customs House Officers discharged a supply of fireworks and on one or two vessels in the docks fireworks were let off. A large fire was made at Wanswell and at Purton, also a bonfire was made on the ballast bank by the canal side.

November 16

STRAYING PIGS: Mr j King, of New Park Farm, was summonsed for allowing six piga to stray on the highway near Lower Stone on the 6th inst. He pleaded guilty and was fined 5s with 6s costs.

CORRESPONDENCE The Editor is not responsible for the sentiments of all correspondents J T, Sharpness: The person you allude to has no power to prevent the baker from Cam delivering bread to you. The threat is idle and ridiculous. As for the other matter. We agree with you that nothing will be accomplished till there is a "second Richmond in the Field."

November 23

DURSLEY: The Female Christys again visited Dursley on Monday last and gave their unique entertainment at the Town Hall; the rooms being completely filled. The songs by Miss Bella Collins, and the harp and violin solos, were particularly admired.

CAM: On Sunday last, sermons in aid of the funds of the Gloucester Infirmary and Hospital were preached in the Parish Church, Cam, by the Rev F T Penley, vicar. The collections amounted to £7 11s 8d.

GOOD Templary in Dursley is looking up. Some time ago the West Gloucestershire District Lodge offered a prize in the form of a handsome Bible and stand to the sub-lodge which could report the largest net increase of members for three consecutive quarters. In the first quarter just complete, the Hope of Dursley Lodge were the successful competitiors; and they are now the proud possessors of the prize. They will, however, have to win it twice more before it can become their absolute property.

December 7

DRUNK AND INCAPABLE: A man who described himself as being a jobbing shoeing-smith, was charged with being drunk and incapable on Saturday evening last. The prisoner said that he was a native of Dursley, and that on coming to his native town on Saturday, he picked up with a few friends who treated him with some drink, and that, acting upon an empty stomach, overcame him. He was discharged.

THE COTSWOLD HOUNDS: On Wednesday, this noted pack of foxhounds met at Berkeley Castle by the invitation of Lord Fitzhardinge, who when presiding at the annual dinner of the Cheltenham Root and Grain Show, some few weeks ago, said if Captain Sumner would bring his hounds to Berkeley Castle he would promise the party a welcome and a champagne breakfast. The hounds came by special train from Cheltenham to Berkeley-road station, and proceeded thence to the Castle meadow. Most of the ladies and gentlemen who hunt with the Cotswold Hounds, with their horses also arrived, and other neighbouring hunts were well represented. The vast company were entertained at the Castle by Lord Fitzhardinge, a sumptuous repast being placed at their disposal. On assembling at the Castle meadow, there could not have been less than 300 equestrians, that number including a good sprinkling of ladies, and there were besides a great number of carriages. The company represented the nobility and gentry of both the Cotswold and Berkeley hunting districts.

December 14

CHURCH OF ENGLAND TEMPERANCE SOCIETY: At the fortnightly meeting held at the National Schoolroom, Dursley, on Thursday evening, the Rev N W Greley in the chair, Mr Chorley, the Secretary, mentioned a circumstance worthy of notice, as having a practical bearing on the question of closing public-houses on a Sunday. He statd that he, in company with a fellow-townsman, had called upon every innkeeper and beerseller in Dursley, for the purpose of ascertaining their views regarding Sunday closing, and it was gratifying to find that with one exception only, all were in favour of it, and were willing to close on that day; indeed, several had done so for some time past.

SAD CASE: On Sunday last a married man living in Silver-street, Dursley, suddenly became insane. A shoemaker by trade, he was also employed by the Post Office to deliver letters every morning in the vicinity of the town. After performing his duties as usual on Sunday morning, he was on his way home and spoke to several persons in a very strange and incoherant manner; showing something was amiss with him. As the day wore on he manifested evident signs of insanity and the following day he became extremely violent and smashed the windows of his house. By the aid of police he was secured and conveyed to the workhouse; but as no amendment in his condition took place up to Tuesday night,it was deemed necessaryt to remove him to Gloucester Asylum, and accordingly on Wednesday morning he was conveyed there.

December 21 lovers of Roast Beef of Old England - and there is no lack of them in Dursley - whilst the weather is all in favour of vendors; any vegetarians might be pardoned shelving their principles for the next ten days.

December 28

LOCAL NOTES: The Weather! Well if those who were always craving for the "good old-fashioned Christmas weather" have not had enough of it, this fast-fading year, 1878, they must, indeed, be greedy. A three weeks' frost, that according to last advices, has covered the Thames at Windsor with ice and snow, that has in Scotland been a foot deep and stopped so 18 or 20 trains, are enough to make one shiver even in comtemplation thereof on a summer day, but to experience the actual discomforts - ugh! The bitter weather has brought bitterness of heart and sore lamentation in many families. Fatal ice accidents are reported from all parts of the country. In our own immediate neighbourhood, we have, as yet, no fatal experience; but the inclemency has been sorely felt, especially by the large number of persons who are out of employment. For the relief of these a public meeting has been held in Gloucester; the benevolent among the well-to-do citizens have liberally responded; and the sight of many well-filled pitchers borne through the streets betoken that the soup-kitchens are doing good work.

January 4, 1879

MAD DOG AT WOTTON-UNDER-EDGE: On Thursday morning some excitement was caused in this town by what was supposed to be a mad dog, which was running about and snapping at persons it met, and also at other dogs. The animal was a black retriever; and in coming down the Long-street, it bit a lad named Candy, in the employ of Mr C Ford, grocer, rather severely on the thigh. Mr Ford at once took the lad to the surgery of Messrs Simmond and forty, and Mr Forty cut away the bitten part and cauterised the wound. Other persons narrowly escaped being bitten, and it was reported that at least three other dogs were bitten. The animal was chased to Sinwell, from whence it returned to the town, where it was eventually shot in the street in front of the vicar's house by Mr Portlock.

BERKELEY-ROAD FIRE: From some cause, at present unaccounted for, a fire broke out on Friday night last in the coach-house adjacent to the Prince of Wales hotel, the property of Mr e Gregory, the proprietor, and it extended to a chaff-house in which were stored casks of gin, cider, ale, and a miscellaneous collection of articles of great value. The estimated loss is about £100 but, fortunately, the property is ensured in the London and Lancashire Insurance Society.

January 11

BERKELEY: On New Year's day, a service of song by the Wanswell Choir, was given in the Congregational Chapel, entitled St Paul, and not withstanding the inclemency of the weather, it was well attended.

SHARPNESS: Mr A Neale's annual pigeon shooting took place in a field near the Pier View Hotel, on Tuesday, and a fat pig was announced to be shot for, but the entries did not prove sufficient, and sweepstakes were shot off. Some good sport took place, 13 dozen birds being killed.

DURSLEY: A tramp was brought up before G A Graham Esq charged with destroying his nether garments, in the Union, He was sentenced to one week's hard labour.

January 18

DISTRESS AMONG THE POOR IN DURSLEY: A town meeting was held on Monday morning last in the Town Hall, Dursley, to consider the best means for alleviating the distress among the poor, occasioned by the late severe weather. The Rev Canon Madan said that, owing to the severe frost, many menhad been unable to do any work for several weeks past, and as a consequence they are their families were in great distress. If they were not assisted during these hard times they would either have to run into debt to procure daily necessities, which would be a great burden upon them when they got work, or apply to the parish for relief. He thought work could be provided to enable them to earn enough to live on till they would be able to work at their ordinary labour. A discussion ensued as to the kind of work to be provided. Mr Graham thought that a few of the gentlemen present should wait on the Highway Board, which would be meeting the following day to ascertain if any work could be supplied by them. There were several footpaths in the town which required mending. It was agreed to receive the names of the gentlemen who could offer work and of those men who wanted employment. Mr Francillon announced that a soup-kitchen was to be opened b y some ladies in the town.

January 25

DURSLEY PETTY SESSIONS: Two tramps were brought up in the custody of PC Carpenter and charged with being drunk and disorderly in Parsonage-street on the night of the 16th inst. They were fined 2s 6d each and 3s 6d costs, or in default, seven days in Gloucester goal.

STINCHCOMBE: The children of Stinchcombe were entertained in the schoolroom on Friday evening, the 17th inst, with a Christmas tree supplied from the proceeds of the entertainment given for that purpose on the 26th of December. Donations from several kinds friends were added, so that the tree was not only a brilliant one, but the presents to the children were all substantial and useful. The Sunday School teachers were also supplied with gifts; nor were the schoolmaster or schoolmistress forgotten, indeed it is to the energy for the former that the Christmas tree has become an institution in Stinchcombe, and it is certainly one worthy of imitation.

February 1

STEALING CHAFF: A farm labourer was brought up on remand at Dursley Petty Sessions, charged with feloniously stealing three bushels of chaff, the property of his emplopyers, Mr Thomas Gabb, of Stinchcombe. PC Scriven, stationed at Wick, said: "I was on duty at Nibley Green at 7 o'clock in the evening of the 22 inst when I met the prisoner who was carrying a bag, containing something, I asked him what he had got; he said only a bit of rough stuff my master gave me. I asked him if his master allowed him to take hay home. He said: It's not hay, it's chaff a got from a threshing machine at Stinchcombe." I then took him into custody on the charge of stealing it. The value of it is 2d." The prisoner said: "I wish I had not done it. I would not have done it for £20." The prisoner pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to be imprisoned for one month with hard labour.

February 8

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February 22

THE GIRLS' SEWING CLASS: The annual tea and treat to the girls of the this class took part at Berkeley Town Hall on the 11th when they were joined by a goodly number of their mothers and friends. Presents of wearing apparal as well as buns and oranges were made to the girls who, with the assistance of a few friends, gave an entertainment consisting of singing, dialogues and recitations.

March 1

SERIOUS CARRIAGE ACCIDENT: On Thursday afternoon about 4 o"clock as Mrs Redding, wife of the vicar of Slimbridge, accompanied by her little son and her coachman, was riding in her carriage through the village of Uley, Mrs Redding herself driving a pair of horses, one of the animals fell and drew the other after him, and in falling broke the carriage pole. Both horses became frightened, and having regained their feet, started off at a rapid pace down the road in the direction of Dursley. When nearly opposite Mr Price's brewery, the carriage overturned and threw its occupants violently into the road, whilst the horses having broken loose, continued their headlong carreer and were not stopped until they had reached Rockstowes. Dr Joyce of Uley was quickly in attendance and as it became evident that the lady had received serious injury, she was conveyed to the residence of Miss Roberts, near at hand, and it being considered desirable to obtain additional medical assistance Dr Richardson was sent for from Dursley, It was found that Mrs Redding was not only severely bruised but that she had sustained a fractured leg. After the injuries had been attended to the lady was conveyed home in another carriage, her own having been considerably damaged. It is thought that one of the horses is also injured.

March 8

WOMAN BURNT TO DEATH: Dr E M Grace, coroner for West Gloucestershire, held an inquest on Tuesday evening last at Hill, near Berkeley, on the body of Hannah Grove, aged 66 years, the wife of John Grove, carpenter of Hill, who was burnt to death on Saturday last. It appears that on that day John Grove left home about mid-day. His wife being then in her ususal health. He went to Berkeley, a distance of four miles and returned home about 5pm. He found the deceased lying down in front of the fire with nearly all her clothes burnt from her body. She was quite dead. The jury considered that death was due to an accident and returned the following verdict: Died from burns through her clothes accidentally catching fire.

March 15

A BARQUE STRANDED: On Saturday morning last, as the English barque May Queen, of South Shields, after a voyage from new York, laden with wheat, was proceeding up the Severn, she was towed ashore during a dense fog between Severn-house and Berkeley Pill. All efforts to remove her were fruitless and, as the tide receded, she was left high and dry, firmly embedded in the mud. At the evening's tide, however, she floated, and was towed safely into Sharpness Dock without damage. No blame attached to pilot, C Smith.

A LADY named Mrs Cooke, formerly of North Nibley, recently died at Birmingham, leaving £200 to be devoted towards the support of the ministry at the Tabernacle, North Nibley.