THE Journal reported on an eclipse 100 years ago.

The report of 1912 said: “Wednesday’s eclipse was well seen at Evesham and presented a very interesting spectacle.

“The sun was obscured by clouds almost until the time for the commencement of the eclipse, but fortunately they cleared off and the many men, women and children who gazed skywards had an unobstructed view.

“A large number of them had provided themselves with pieces of smoked glass; personally, we found a dense photographic negative much more efficient.

“At about 10 minutes past 12, when the eclipse was at its greatest phase, nine-tenths of the sun’s disc were hidden, and all that could be seen was a bright crescent like a young moon.

“This diminished sunshine had a weird effect upon the landscape, but – so far as we noticed – none upon the birds or flowers. During the great eclipse of 1858 wild birds and domestic fowls went to roost, and some of the papers state that the birds showed a tendency in that direction this time.

“One little point of interest in connection with the eclipse came under our observation.

“As everybody in Evesham knows, there is a portico outside the Public Library, and on the top of this portico is a parapet containing little stone pillars.

“After the eclipse had passed its greatest phase the sun had got sufficiently round to cast a shadow of the portico on the pavement and it shone through some of the interstices of the parapet. Usually the rays form oval shapes but on Wednesday the patches of light were distinct crescents.”