100 Years Ago December 3. 1910.

Poor Law guardians and others who are interested in the tramp question will find some interesting reading in an article entitled A Night in Evesham Tramp Ward. The Amateur Casual seems to have been fairly comfortable in the Evesham “spike,” and he says it is looked upon by the Nomads of the Road as “a good ‘un,” that is to say, it is warm and the task imposed not excessive. The writer, who evidently knows a great deal about the tramping fraternity, estimates that 70 per cent of the tramps on the road today have been brought there directly or indirectly through drink. He further states that 40 per cent of the men are ex-soldiers, which is a much higher percentage than we should have expected. There are, he says, few sailors and no Jews.

75 Years Ago November 30, 1935 The annual supper of the Pershore Abbey Bowling Club was held at the Angel Hotel on Thursday evening last, when about 40 members and guests were present, Mr A Bruff presiding. The main feature of the evening was the presentation of the Captain’s Cup, for the annual knock-out competition, to Mr C E Ballinger, this year’s winner. Mr Bruff, making the presentation, said it was his very pleasant duty to present the trophy, on behalf of the club, to their old friend and sportsman Mr Ballinger, who was their captain. While the cup had caused much healthy competition amongst members in past years, never had there been keener sport in winning this year. ”I can certainly say,” the chairman added, “that never was there a winner more popular than Mr Ballinger.”

50 Years Ago December 2, 1960 A new Crown building, which will house all the various Government departments now scattered around Evesham, is planned to be built in Abbey Road, now occupied by temporary post office buildings adjoining the new telephone exchange, Evesham Town Council will be told at a meeting on Wednesday. The buildings are now surplus to the requirements of the post office and the county planning officer has requested the council’s views on Ministry of Works proposals with regard to their future. The Ministry proposes to utilise the site for a building which will accommodate several Government departments at present situated in other parts of the town and, in the meantime, to let the buildings to the MEB for storage purposes for two years. The new Crown building would be erected in about four to five years. The planning committee resolved that the council raise no objection to the proposal.