100 years ago - November 4, 1911 AT about 10pm on Wednesday night PC Sharpe saw a man coming along the riverbank carrying a bag and when asked what it contained said “nothing”.

He started to struggle but was soon overpowered by the sergeant. When the bag was opened it was found to contain 12 young fowls, quite warm, with their necks broken. The man was taken into custody and brought up at Alcester on Thursday before the magistrates on a charge of stealing 20 fowls, the property of the executors of the late Arthur Lane of Broom Court. He was remanded in custody.

75 years ago - November 7, 1936 THE first boxing tournament of the season takes place tonight at the Public Hall in Evesham, and although the contestants for the two principal contests will appear as billed, certain changes have been necessary owing to injuries to fighters Berg and Downes. Berg’s doctor has certified him unfit owing to a sprained wrist not having yielded to treatment in time and Harry Cartwright, the Tipton boxer, cousin to Hal Cartwright, will oppose the ex-schoolboy and ex-amateur champion Joe Gabica.

The much improved Jack Watkins, who has recently been winding along the line, will take the place of Harry Downes, who sustained a cut lip in the principal contest at Burton-on-Trent on Monday last, against the clever Jack Phillips. As Watkins holds a recent decision over Downes he should prove to be a good match for Phillips. Vic Morris and Jimmy Griffiths have both reported fit, Morris having beaten Tommy Dowlais a few days ago inside six rounds. Both George Davies and George Jukes are reported fit and will definitely appear. In the local six-round contest Jim Minton, of Worcester, will meet Johnnie Bate, of Flyford, and as this pair have previously fought a close points decision a good contest should be witnessed.

The Journal has been informed that bookings have been heavy but a quantity of tickets have been reserved for sale at the Public Hall.

40 years ago - November 4, 1971 A FULL-length peal of 5,093 changes of Grandsire caters was rung at Evesham Bell Tower on Sunday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first peal in the tower by the ringing master Geoffrey Hemming, from Hampton. The peal, which was rung in three hours and 24 minutes, was composed by Mr J Johnson, of Sedgeberrow, and was conducted by Michael fellows. It was his 700th full peal. Among the ringers were Mr Hemming, and the Rev Albert Webb, vicar of Evesham, Roger Hunt, of Hampton, and Mr A Berry, of Pershore. Six other ringers from different places in the Midlands also took part.