100 Years Ago June 17, 1911 THE drought is continuing to have serious effects on fruit and vegetable crops. From time to time heavy banks of cloud have made their appearance and rain has seemed imminent, but they have invariably cleared off. One or two of the nights have been very cold, with slight frost on the ground. Early yesterday (Friday) morning a few drops of rain fell, just sufficient to damp the pavements, but not nearly enough to have any effect on the dust. In six-and-a-half weeks less than a quarter of an inch of rain has fallen in Evesham when normally three inches would be expected. It will be remembered that there was a drought in January and February lasting for about a month. So far this year rainfall has been much under the average.

75 Years Ago June 13, 1936 Police of the Pershore Division, accompanied by local tradesmen and friends, making a total of about 100, went for their annual outing on Thursday to Blackpool. The train, on which coaches were reserved for the party, left Defford station at 6am, after waiting ten minutes for a certain number who were detained through no fault of their own and eventually were left behind. Blackpool was reached soon after 11am and the members of the party sought the various diversions offered by this popular resort. Many visited the famous fun fair, and others patronised the circus. The weather was fine, though rather chilly. The return journey was commenced at 9.15pm and Defford was reached again at about 2.15am. Breakfast and supper were served en route. Inspector E J Price and Sergt J P Heath were in charge of the party.

40 Years Ago June 17, 1971 AN epidemic of distemper is hitting dogs in Evesham. More than 30 dogs have already been destroyed and the town’s two veterinary practices are battling to save dozens more. A joint statement issued by the vets calls for dog owners to urgently consider having their pets vaccinated against distemper. Otherwise it warns that many more dogs will die. The outbreak was first noticed about three weeks ago. Immediately the vets started asking dog-owners visiting their surgeries whether they would like their animals to be vaccinated and, where necessary, given “booster” shots of vaccine. In a joint statement the vets said: “The epidemic is pretty widespread throughout Evesham and there have been some cases in Pershore. Dogs or pups which have not been vaccinated or which need a booster are at maximum risk. If they are not vaccinated quickly we are likely to get a worse outbreak than we have ever had in Evesham before.”