August 6—The Duchess of Kent and the Princess Victoria arrived at Malvern, for the purpose of making a considerable stay there.
August 25—Most serious riots at Kidderminster. The carpet weavers, instigated by the “Society of Workmen,” attacked, almost without notice, the factory of Mr. Cooper, because he employed a number of men upon a particular description of light work at three halfpence per yard less than the customary price. In the evening the mob again assembled, and broke the windows not only of Mr. Cooper’s house, but those of Mr. Simcox Lea, Mr. Best, Mr. Brinton, Mr. Dobson, and Mr. Gough, manufacturers; of George Constance, Esq., High Bailiff; Messrs. Hallen and Talbot, solicitors; Mr. Boycot; Mr. Russell, coal merchant; the Town Hall; and the Black Horse Inn—nor was the town restored to quiet till a troop of the 14th Dragoons arrived at six o’clock on Wednesday morning. The property stolen and destroyed was valued at £3,000. Eight men were immediately afterwards apprehended, and committed by the magistrates for the part they had taken in the disturbances. Rewards amounting to £1,000 were offered for the conviction of the ringleaders.
September 7—The Duchess of Kent and the Princess Victoria visited Worcester, accompanied by Sir John and Lady Conroy and the Baroness de Lehzen, and received the Mayor and Corporation at the Deanery. They inspected the three china manufactories; and the young Princess, then twelve years of age, displayed the greatest interest in the ingenious processes to which the porcelain clay is submitted.
September 18—Frightful accident to the Aurora, day coach from London, which was crammed with passengers inside and out, bringing persons to the ensuing Worcester Musical Festival. The coachman neglected to put the drag on the wheel in coming down Severn Stoke hill, and the speed which the vehicle gained as it came down, upset it shortly after rounding the turn at the bottom. Mr. Bennett, organist of Christ Church, Oxford, was killed on the spot; and Mr. Hughes, glover, of Sidbury, Worcester, died next morning. Several other passengers were most seriously hurt. The jury upon the inquest refused to return a verdict of manslaughter against the coachman, although directed to do so by the coroner; but put a deodand of £30 upon the coach and horses, in each case.
September 9—Date of the death of the celebrated Mr. Huskisson, who was born at Birtsmorton in this county.
October 26—St. George’s Chapel, Barbourne, a chapel of ease to Claines Church, consecrated by the Lord Bishop of the Diocese. The sermon was preached by Prebendary Benson, and the collection afterwards realised £60. The presentation of the chapel is vested in the incumbents of Claines. The total cost of the building was £3,500; of this, Sir H. Wakeman, Bart., contributed £500. £1,200 was raised by private subscriptions, &c. The Church Building Commissioners contributed the remainder. The painted window at the east end was the gift of James Wakeman, Esq. It will accommodate 750 persons, 400 of the sittings being free.
October 29—The Worcester Mendicity Society formed at a meeting at the Guildhall, with H. B. Tymbs, Esq., Mayor, in the chair. This Society still continues to exist, and has acted most beneficially both in discovering cases of imposture and in aiding the truly unfortunate. It is only a pity that it is not more generally supported and confided in.
December—Riots at Tardebigg amongst the needle makers, who thought themselves aggrieved by the introduction of machinery to stamp the eyes of the needles. They commenced an attack on the machinery and house of Mr. Baylis of Tardebigg, but were interrupted by the arrival of constabulary from Redditch, and six men were committed by the magistrates for trial. Five agricultural labourers were also committed to gaol for breaking a thrashing machine, which had been left on the road side at Hanley William. A thatched cattle shed, with two cows, a hay rick and stubble rick, the property of Mr. Nind of Dumbleton, burnt down by an incendiary fire.
Local Act—For enclosing lands at Hagley.