March 22

LOST AND FOUND: A singular occurrence happened at Sharpness the other day. A mate of a ship was sauntering carelessly over a bulk of grain with his hands in his pockets, when he struck his head violently against a beam, causing him to withdraw his hands from his pockets with remarkable celerity. In doing so it is said, he drew out £22 in gold, which fell among the grain. The loss of the money was apparently more felt by the sailor than the effects of the blow, for he at once began a min ute search among the grain, and although it was very much like "looking for a needle in a bottle of hay" he succeeded in finding twenty sovereigns out of the twenty-two.

March 29

BERKELEY GLEE CLUB: The weekly meetings of this choral society have been well attended. More than thirty members have joined the club, and the average attendance has been 24. Some excellent glees have been tried under the direction Mr W H Stinchcombe, and although as yet the society has jealously excluded the public from meetings, fearing, of course, any severe criticism on its vocal powers, it may be hoped that at any future entertainment in this town, the services of the members of Berkeley Glee Club may be enlisted.

April 5

WOTTON-UNDER EDGE

THE Free Lending Library, opened in this town last October, has now been six months in existence. It is satisfactory to learn, as a proof that is made of it, that during that time 4500 volumes have been taken out and not one lost. The library contains at present 650 volumes.

THE annual installation festival of the "The Lodge of Sympathy", No 855, Freemasons, took place at the Swan Hotel on Tuesday. After the conclusion of the business, the brethren retired to a banquet prepared by Host Brain, the evening being spent in harmony.

April 12

SHOCKING MURDER AT THORNBURY: One of the most frightful murders that has ever been perpetrated in the neighbourhood of Thornbury was on Wednesday committed on ths highroad at Morton, a quiet villagw about one mile distant from Thornbury on the Gloucester road. The spot where the crime was committed is called Pit Pool from a large sheet of water by the roadside. From enquiries made it appears that a little before twelve o'clock Mr C Cox, of charfield, was driving in his trap towards Thornbury, and when nearing Pit Pool he saw in front of him blood on the road, and close by the prostrate form of a woman, evidently a tramp. Near the woman was a well dressed man sitting down on a heap of stones. His face and hands were stained with blood. The woman's throat was cut in an frightful manner. After asking the man what was the matter, and receiving as an answer "Oh, I've only murdered this woman." Mr Cox drove to Thornbury for the police. The superintendent of the police arrived shortly afterwards and took the murderer into custody. On arriving at the Thornbury police station the prisoner was searched, when a hammer, wrapped in a bloody handkerchief, two knives also stained with blood, and a razor with blood still wet upon it, were found upon him. He gave the name of Saunders and said he was a pressman from London. The body of the woman, which was removed to the Anchor Inn at Morton, and afterwards top the mortuary at Thornbury Union, presents a ghastly spectacle. The prisoner has been conducting himself in a light hearted manner, enters freely into conversation and gives no trouble to his custodians. But a gentleman who has seen him and has experience in cases of insanity believes him to be of unsound mind. He admits having served two terms of penal servitude, and that he slept at Bristol on Tuesday night.

April 19

CAM WESLEYAN CHAPEL: The Wesleyans at Cam held their anniversary on good Friday and Easter Sunday. A goodly number joined on good Friday in the enjoyment of "the cup that cheers but not enebriates". Afterwards a public meeting was held under the presidency of Mr Dodwell, and excellent addresses were delivered by the Revs Williams, Gwynne and Devis. On Sunday, two eloquent sermons were preached by the Rev William Spilsbury, of Bristol, to large congregations. The collections were in advance of a previous year.

DURSLEY: Easter Monday was generally observed as a Bank Holiday in the town. Nearly all the shops were closed.

April 26

A DRUNKEN SCOUNDREL: On Sunday evening, a man, in a state of mad drunkeness, was staggering about Salter-street, in Berkeley, brandishing a knife and behaving in an extraordinary manner to the terror of the inhabitants. He was promptly taken into custody by PC Simpson and was brought up before Lord Fitzhardinge on Monday. He proved to be a seaman, discharged from a vessel at Sharpness, having spent all his money on drink. He was charged with being drunk in the public streets. He pleaded guilty to the charge and was committed to prison for seven days in default of paying a fine.

May 3

THE THORNBURY MURDER: A petition to the Home Secretary is being signed for the remission of the capital penalty in the case of the man, who lies under sentence of death for the murder committed at Thornbury. The ground taken is that he was not responsible for his actions.

May 10

SHARPNESS: We are sorry to have to report the loss of a valuble horse, the property of Mr Hodder, of Purton. It appears that on Friday, Mr Hodder had driven his horse and trap to Sharpness, and having occasion to board one of the steamships, lying in the dock, he left his horse and trap unattended by the Quay wall. The horse then appears to have become restless and went some little distance, and then backed the trap onto the Quay wall, and when on the edge, the trap capsized, both horse and trap being thrown into the water, and the horse drowned. The animal is stated to having been worth £40.

May 17

WE are glad to notice the fact, and draw attention to the announcement in our advertisement columns, that Mr Ayliffe hbas again opened his excellent swimming bath to the public. There is also a clause in the announcement which states that unless better supported than it has been, the bath will not be opened to the public again after this season, on account of the expense of heating etc.

ELECTRIC LIGHT: Mr Edison is still engaged in his experiments with reference to the electric light and hopes yet to overcome all difficulties and to make the light available for general use.

May 24

HINT TO TRADESMAN: As a matter of experience, it is beyond dispute that judicious advertising pays to an extend beyond any ordinary comparison with its cost. The progress of competition is so rapid that a "good old house" which does not advertise is in danger of losing custom. A good advertisement in a widely-circulated local newspaper is the best possible salesman, who never sleeps and is never weary; who goes about early and late; who accosts the tradesman in his shop, the scholar in his study, the lawyer in his office and the lady at her breakfast table.

June 7

NORTH NIBLEY: We regret to have to record the death of Mr Charles Bennett, of The Great House, North Nibley, which took place on Sunday last, under very painful circumstances. It appears that Mr Bennett attended the meeting of the Board of Guardians at Dursley on Thursday, and spent the evening at home with a friend. As his friend was about to depart, Mr Bennett offered to go to the stable to fetch out his horse. He according entered the stable to this purpose - it is said in the dark - and as he did so the horse kicked him in the abdomen. Mr Bennett retreated into a corner, endeavouring to get out of the reach of the horse's heels, but the animal again kicked him. He was got into the house, and medical aid was sent for, when it was found that he had received very serious injuries; so much so that his life was considered to be in danger. Everything was done that medical skill could suggest, and for a time it was hoped the patient would get over the accident. But on Sunday last the case took a fatal turn, and the unfortunate gentleman died on the evening of that day. The event has caused quite a gloom over the village of Nibley where the deceased was greatly respected.

June 14

DURSLEY FIRE BRIGADE: In accordance with a resolution come to shortly after the fire at Mr Martin's mill at Uley, a new brigade committee has been formed, and a fresh body of working members organized, and it would seem that no trouble has been spared to put the entire brigade and their equipments in thoroughly efficient working order. That the men have attained to considerable efficiency was envinced by their practice on Friday evening last, which took place a short distance from the town, when their operations were most credible, and promise well for the future whenever their services shall be needed. Alarms of Fire must be given at the Police Station, and the town Hall Bell will then be rung by the Police. The Policeman on duty will at once go round to and summon each member of the Brigade. Keys to the Engine House are kept at the Police Station and at the residence of the Captain, in Silver-street.

July 5

THE SEVERN BRIDGE: During the month just termianted very favourable progress has been made in bringing to a crowning glory this gigantic work of engineering skill, and the engineer, Mr G W Keeling, may now be congratulated on the fact that the river is pracically spanned. On Monday, the riveters commenced upon the bowstring portion of the only incomplete span, and in the course of another month, the structure will be complete.

JULY 12

CAUTION TO BARGEOWNERS AND MASTERS: The master of the barge Flora has paid five shillings to the treasurer of the Gloucester Infirmary, by way of fine, for carrying sail on the Gloucester and Berkeley Canal, contrary to the bye-laws.

SIR, - I was sorry to find in your account of the public tea held at Sharpness, July 2nd, for the benefit of the Purton Church, you omitted the names of several of the friends who so kindly and liberally assisted. The correct list follows. Yours truly, RICHD. JONES.

July 19

ROBBERY AT WATERLY BOTTOM: On Tuesday morning a man who was convicted at the recent Gloucestershire Quarter Sessions for house-breaking at Waterly Bottom, in the parish of North Nibley, together with another convict, was being conveyed by the 7.45 Gloucester express to London. While the train was running between Maidenhead and Taplow stations, the man complained of being sick, and was allowed by the two warders in charge to place his head outside the window. While in this position he contrived to turn the handle of the train door, which flew open, and the convict fell out. He was chained to the other convict, who would have been pulled out by the weight of his companion's suspended body but for the exertions of the warder. As the train passed through Taplow station, the convict's body struck against the stonework of the platform and was frightfully knocked about. The mutilated remains of the convict were placed in the carriage and conveyed in the charge of a medical man to Paddington, whence they were removed to the mortuary. The convict had been sentenced to seven years penal servitude and three years police supervision.

July 26

SALE OF DURSLEY GAS SHARES: On Monday afternoon, Messrs D Legge and Son offered for sale at the Old Bell Hotel, Dursley, 29 shares in the Dursley Gas Light and Coke Company. They were sold in five lots of five shares each, and one lot of four shares. The amount realised was: 25 shares at £14 - £350; four shares at £13 10s - £54; total £404.

August 2

EXTRAORDINARY PHENOMENON: On Sunday evening there occurred one of those peculiar storms, so rarely heard of and few are able to explain. For about fifty yards of more down the New Road leading from Wotton-under-Edge to Charfield, the ground was almost covered with thousands of small shell fish, all of one description, Resembling to a certain extent a small snail, only longer in shape, the colour a dull brown. The supposition is tha tthey had been caught up by the wind many miles away and carried to the spot where they fell, but this hypothesis semms hard to accept, when the calm weather at the time during the day is taken into consderation.

August 16

BREACH OF CONTRACT: A female servant to Mr S P Savage, of the Leys farm, was summonsed for breach of contract by leaving her service, damage being laid at £1. Defendant said she wanted to go to Wotton, but did not ask her master as she ahd been refused before, and on returning at ten o'clock, she was refused admission to the house, and she sat down under a shed until the house was opened at five o'clock in the morning. The chairman told the prosecutor that it was harsh treatment to lock a young girl out all night. Defendant was ordered to pay 10s damages and 4s costs.

August 30

HIGHWAY OFFENCES: Charles Iles was fined 1s amd 7s costs for allowing a horse to stray; Enock Palmer was fined 1s and 7s 6d costs for allowing his donkey to stray; Thomas Selby was fined 10s and 7s.6d costs for allowing two horses to stray; William Hill was fined 5s and 7s costs for riding without reins; John Brown was fined 2s 6d and 6s costs for a similar offence.

September 6

TRIPS ACROSS THE SEVERN BRIDGE: Successful trial trips were made on Wednesday last across the Severn Bridge, the first engine being driven by Mr Keeling, engineer of the undertaking. At noon a party of directors and other gentlemen arrived from Gloucester and were conveyed across the bridge to Sharpness station, when they returned over the Severn. The formal opening is deferred until after the Government inspection has taken place, and the necessary authority is obtained.

September 13

DURSLEY PETTY SESSION: Three little boys were charged with having, on the 4th inst, stolen certain apples, value 1d, the property of Ozmond Wood, of Dursley, who asked that the court would only cuation the boys. Lord Dynevor said it was a serious thing for boys to steal apples, but as Mr Wood had asked for the defendants to be let off, they would be dismissed, but would have to pay the costs, 2s 10d each.

September 27

VENISON DINNER: Lord Fitzhardinge having sent his annual present of venison to the proprietor of the Bell and Castle Hotel, Dursley, Mr Adams invited a few of his friends and fello-townsmen to partake of it. The dinner took place on Tuesday evening last when twenty sat down. It is scarcely necessary to say that the dinner was served up in the host's well known excellent style. After the usual loyal and patriotic toasts had been disposed of, the chairman, Mr R A Lister, in a neat and appropriate speech, proposed the health of Lord Fitzhardinge remarking that his Lordship had always taken a deep interest in the welfare of the town of Dursley. The remainder of the evening was spent in conviviality and song. After singing the National Anthem, the company separated just before eleven o'clock.

October 4

SINGING CLASS: Miss L Vere Knight, who has lately removed from Uley to Dursley, has announced her intention of opening a singing class, at her residence in Silver-street, to be continued during the winter months, for the purpose of teaching not only singing, but also the theory of music. The first night will be on Thursday, October 8th who those who take an interest in music are invited to be present, when there will be free admission.

October 18

BERKEKELY GAS EXPLOSION: The inhabitants of the west end of Salter-street were on Thursday considerably startled by a loud report, which proved to be an explosion of gas which had escaped from one of the mains opposite the residence of Mr R Gregory. The main at this spot is about twenty inches below the surface of the highway, and it appears a considerable leakage must have been going on there, and the gas had found its way into an old drain. On its exploding, a large quantity of earth and stones were forced into the air. Fortunately, no one was near it at the time. The defect was soon remedied.