THE first charter of incorporation was granted to the city of Worcester
in 1261—45th Henry III. The charter of James I, granted in 1622, was,
with slight interruptions, the rule by which the city was governed up to
the time of the Municipal Reform Act; and it must be said for the old
Corporation that they appear to have been in a great measure free from
the jobbery and malversation of funds which characterised so many of
these close self-elected bodies. They had indeed a civic feast, for
which £150 was yearly allowed, and kept a cellar of good wines; but these
things were quite in accordance with the spirit of the time—some fifty
years ago. John Wheeley Lea, Esq., was Mayor at the time of the
extinction of the old body; the Earl of Coventry Recorder; Charles
Sidebottom, Esq., Deputy-Recorder (a rather doubtful office then recently
revived) and Town Clerk; and Mr. Deighton, Sheriff. Great efforts had
been made to induce the burgesses, in the election of the new body, to
make a calm and impartial choice of those persons who were really most
fitted to conduct the business of the city, without respect to their
political bias; but in the excited state of feeling which prevailed at
that time, this was found impossible; and indeed it was hardly to be
expected that the Liberals, after such an entire exclusion from office,
should make terms with their opponents—it was at last their turn to enjoy
the honours which the Tories had hitherto monopolised. The first
election took place on Saturday, December 27, 1835, when out of
thirty-six councillors, thirty-four chosen were Reformers—the
Conservatives only returning two in St. Nicholas’s Ward.
1835—DECEMBER 30—The new body met for the first time, and took the
declarations required by the act.
1836—JULY 1—First meeting for business, when the following Aldermen were
elected: St. John’s Ward, Mr. Joseph Hall; St. Nicholas’s, Dr. Hastings
and Mr. Edward Evans; St. Peter’s, Mr. George Allies, Mr. William Corles,
and Mr. Francis Gibb; Claines’, Mr. C. H. Hebb, Mr. Richard Evans, and
Mr. Thomas Stephenson; All Saints’, Mr. John Bradley, Mr. John Howell,
and Mr. F. Williams. Mr. F. Williams declined the honour, and Mr. Thomas
Chalk was afterwards elected in his stead.
1836—JANUARY 2—Choice of officers—Mr. C. H. Hebb elected Mayor; Mr.
George Allies, Sheriff; and Mr. C. Sidebottom, Town Clerk.
1836—JANUARY 14—The Council assembled for the first time in the room
which has ever since been used for their meetings. A committee was
appointed to confer with Mr. Sidebottom about separating the offices
which he held, and giving up that of Town Clerk. A finance committee was
appointed to investigate the accounts of the old body; and it was
determined to dress up the Mayor in robes of scarlet and purple.
1836—JANUARY 21—It was agreed by a majority of 31 to 10 that Mr.
Sidebottom should continue to hold the office of Stipendiary Magistrate,
Judge of the Court of Pleas, and Town Clerk, at a salary of £500 per
annum. Mr. Stinton, Mr. Curwood, and Mr. Whitmore, barrister, were
proposed for recommendation to the Secretary of State to the office of
Recorder. Mr. Stinton had the majority of votes. Salary fixed at £150
per annum, but afterwards reduced to £100.
1836—JANUARY 26—The Council recommended twelve persons as magistrates to
the Secretary of State—The Mayor, Mr. Alderman R. Evans, R. Temple, Esq.,
Mr. Alderman Hall, William Shaw, Esq., R. Berkeley, Esq., William
Saunders, Esq., John Dent, Esq., L. Johnstone, Esq., William Acton, Esq.,
G. Farley, Esq., and Captain Thomas. Three of these gentlemen were
Conservatives. Mr. Farley and Mr. Johnstone having declined to serve,
the names of Mr. Lavender (Conservative) and Mr. Alderman Corles were
inserted in the list, but the Lord Chancellor only appointed the first
ten. The wine of the old corporation was ordered to be sold, except
fifty dozen to be applied in aid of sick poor.
1836—FEBRUARY 18—Report made by the committee appointed to investigate
the accounts of the old corporation. The balance sheet presented to the
Council by their predecessors showed credit a balance of £1,028, while
the real fact was that the old corporation was in debt £1,170. £200 of
this sum had been promised towards the improvements in front of All
Saints’ Church, payable only on condition of the inhabitants doing their
part within a certain number of years. The new Council confirmed this
grant on the same terms.
1836—MARCH 24—First quarterly meeting. A statement of the value of the
city property was laid before the Council; which, some being calculated
at twenty-five years’ purchase, and others at fourteen years’, was
reckoned to be worth about £43,000. In mortgages and debts to the
charities there was owing by the corporation £5,381. The gross produce
of the corporation wine was £823, being an average of nearly 64s. per
dozen. The Council determined to discontinue the practice of “fetching
the fair from St. John’s to Worcester,” as a “farce.”
1836—APRIL 7—It was announced by Mr. Sidebottom that he had been gazetted
as police magistrate of the city; and as the holding of that office was
deemed by Government inconsistent with the town clerkship (as had been
all along foreseen), he must give up the latter. In answer to a question
by Alderman Corles, he said he intended to retain the assessorship to the
Court of Pleas.
1836—APRIL 21—Mr. John Hill chosen Town Clerk in the room of Mr.
Sidebottom.
1836—MAY 5—The Council received a grant of a separate Quarter Sessions,
as they had prayed. The appointment of Mr. T. Waters as Clerk of the
Peace was confirmed, and Mr. J. B. Hyde was appointed City Coroner.
1836—JULY 7—The Attorney-General’s opinion having been taken, it was
decided that Mr. Thomas Hughes had no claim for compensation for loss of
his situation as Vice-Chamberlain under the old body. This was a subject
which had been repeatedly before the Council.
1836—OCTOBER 6—Dinner given by the Town Council to the Mayor. Dr.
Hastings was in the chair, and proposed the health of Mr. Hebb in
flattering terms; describing him as a benevolent medical man, an author
of some celebrity—having translated the works of some French pathologists
at a time when there was little communication with the continent—and the
constant advocate of the diffusion of useful knowledge. As their chief
magistrate he had laid them all under a great debt of obligation. “The
Bishop and Clergy of the Diocese” was responded to by the Rev. T.
Pearson, and “The Dissenting Ministers” by Dr. Redford; “The Members for
the County” was answered by Mr. Cookes, Captain Winnington, and Mr.
Holland; and Mr. Robinson answered for the city members. Colonel Davis
responded for the “Magistrates of the County,” and was most
enthusiastically received. 306 sat down at table.
1836—NOVEMBER 9—The Council, in entering on their second year of office,
reëlected Mr. Hebb as Mayor, and chose Mr. Alderman Gibb as Sheriff.
There were scarcely any changes made in the body at the election on the
1st of this month.
1837—APRIL 11—The Council agreed to the by-laws which have since, with
little alteration, been acted upon.
1837—JULY 10—Addresses voted to the Queen Dowager (of condolence for her
bereavement), and to the Queen Regnant on her accession. The Mayor, Mr.
Sheriff Gibb, and Mr. Alderman Hall were ordered to present the latter.
1837—NOVEMBER—The election this year did not alter the position of
parties at all. A very warm vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Hebb for
his services as Mayor for two consecutive years, and Mr. George Allies
was elected in his stead. Mr. Alderman Stephenson was elected Sheriff.
1837—NOVEMBER 23—Mr. Deighton presented a petition from 126 farmers,
holding 25,000 acres of land, praying the council to provide them with a
covered corn market. Some gentlemen proposed that they should use the
Town Hall, but eventually a committee was appointed.
1837—NOVEMBER 27—The Council petitioned Parliament for an alteration in
the fees and regulations in passing private bills.
1837—DECEMBER 15—The Council decided against Mr. Deighton’s proposition
to allow a salary of fifty guineas to the Mayor, by a majority of 23 to
12.
1837—DECEMBER 28—The Council decided against Mr. Alderman Chalk’s motion
to throw open their meetings to the public, by 24 to 6.
1838—FEBRUARY 21—The Council refused to remove the Corn Market to Angel
Street, or to grant the petition of the agriculturists to sell the old
Sheep Market as a site for a new Corn Market.
1838—MAY 2—The Council petitioned for the abolition of the apprenticeship
system, on the motion of Mr. Alderman Edward Evans.
1838—NOVEMBER—The municipal election made no difference in the political
constitution of the Council. At the first meeting of the renovated body,
Mr. Alderman Richard Evans was elected Mayor, on the proposition of Dr.
Hastings and Mr. Alderman Hall; and Mr. John Hall was chosen Sheriff.
Mr. Alderman Richard Evans was the first Dissenter who ever held the
office of chief magistrate in Worcester. The Aldermen elected this year
were Mr. William Corles, Mr. Palmer, Mr. Chalk, Mr. Lilly, Mr. Edward
Evans, and Mr. Benjamin Stokes.
1838—DECEMBER 20—Mr. Padmore chosen Alderman in the room of Mr. Stokes,
deceased.
1839—FEBRUARY 7—Mr. E. L. Williams proposed that the Council, “being
deeply impressed with a conviction of a thorough examination of the
existing Corn Laws,” should petition Parliament for an inquiry into their
operation. He thought agriculture needed some protection, though the
present laws wanted alteration: if gloves required protection, corn did.
Alderman E. Evans seconded his motion. Mr. W. Pugh proposed, as an
amendment, that the Council should petition for a total repeal. Alderman
Hastings said that a repeal of the Corn Laws would be productive of
immense evil; because if they reduced the revenues of the rich, they took
it out of their power to assist the poor; and they would certainly rue
the day if they agreed to a change that would be so silly. No measure
that the legislature could adopt would prevent corn being occasionally
dear, and its dearness now arose from deficient production and regrating.
On a division there appeared
For total repeal: Aldermen Hall, Corles, Lilly, and Padmore; Councillors
F. Hall, Greening, Davis, Smith, Oates, J. Hall, George, W. Pugh, Crane,
W. Chamberlain, Southan, Dance, Lee, Ledbrook, Groves, and
Thompson—twenty.
For inquiry only: The Mayor; Aldermen E. Evans, Hastings, and Palmer;
Councillors Fawkes, Horne, Dent, Lea, Grainger, Lingham, Summerfield, and
Williams—twelve.
At this meeting the Council, in compliance with the order of the Lords of
the Treasury, awarded Mr. Thomas Hughes an annuity of £3. 6s. 8d., as
compensation for the loss of his office of clerk to the forty-eight,
which he had held under the old corporation. Mr. Hughes had claimed much
larger compensation as Deputy Chamberlain.
1839—MAY 24—An address voted to the Queen, on the motion of Alderman
Hebb, seconded by Alderman Corles, thanking her for resisting the attempt
to change the ladies of her household, and, further, for having called
back the Whigs to her councils. The only dissentient was Mr.
Summerfield.
1838—NOVEMBER—The elections still brought no diminution in the
preponderance of the Whig party. Mr. Alderman Hastings was first elected
Mayor, but declined to serve; and having paid the usual fine of £50,
required its disbursement on the score of his being an alderman, and the
Municipal Act did not say anything about their being fineable. Mr.
Alderman Chalk was elected unanimously in his stead.
1840—MARCH AND APRIL—The Council determined to oppose the Birmingham and
Gloucester Railway Company’s new bill in Parliament; but afterwards
Alderman Corles moved, and Alderman Hebb seconded, a motion for the
discontinuance of such opposition, on the ground that the Council had no
legal right to pay the expenses out of the borough fund. Alderman
Hastings moved the confirmance of the Council’s previous resolutions; and
this amendment to Alderman Corles’s motion was carried by 20 to 6.
1840—JUNE 16—The Council voted addresses to the Queen, the Prince, and
the Duchess of Kent, expressing their loyal joy at Her Majesty’s escape
from the shot of the assassin, Oxford.
1840—MARCH TO JULY—The grant of £200 for the improvements in front of All
Saints’ Church, made by the old corporation conditionally on their being
completed by November, 1839, and renewed by the new body for five years
longer, was repeatedly discussed. Mr. Alderman Hebb held that it was an
illegal grant, and ought to be resumed; but the Council, on obtaining an
undertaking from Messrs. Lea, Leonard, and Williams for its repayment at
the end of the second term of five years if the alterations were not then
completed, suffered the money to remain in their hands.
1840—NOVEMBER 9—The newly elected Council—consisting of almost the same
parties as in the previous year—elected C. A. Helm, Esq., as Mayor for
the succeeding twelve months. Mr. W. Lewis was also proposed, and
received 16 votes to 22 for Mr. Helm. Mr. Alderman Edward Evans was
chosen Sheriff.
1841—MAY 6—The council unanimously petitioned for a revision of the
import duties, on the motion of Mr. Sheriff Evans, seconded by Mr. F. T.
Elgie.
1841—SEPTEMBER 29—A special meeting of the body was held to memorialise
the Queen on the subject of the Corn Laws. Mr. Elgie moved the memorial,
which asserted that the Corn Laws were the principal causes of the
present distress of the country. Mr. Pierpoint moved an amendment,
declaring that the discussion of political subjects was contrary to the
spirit of the Municipal Act, and highly inexpedient; and wound up by an
assertion of a wholly political character, viz., that the distress of the
country had been produced by the hasty and crude legislation of the
Whigs. The amendment was negatived by 26 to 5, the minority consisting
of Messrs. J. Dent, Anderson, Pierpoint, Bedford, and Summerfield.
1841—NOVEMBER—The Conservatives made great efforts in all the wards to
get a footing in the Council this year, but, except in St. Nicholas, were
wholly unsuccessful. Mr. Alderman Edward Evans was elected Mayor, and
Mr. Alderman Lilly, Sheriff, by 23 votes, while 12 were given for Mr.
Elgie. Mr. Hebb retired from the Council; and Messrs. R. Evans, J. Hall,
W. Lewis, G. Allies, C. A. Helm, and C. Hastings were elected aldermen in
room of those who retired.
1841—DECEMBER 3—A special meeting to protest against the recent
appointment of magistrates without consulting the Council. Mr. Alderman
Allies proposed a resolution, which declared that the six individuals who
had been appointed magistrates owed their elevation to political
partizanship and not to the esteem in which they were held by their
fellow citizens; protesting also against the appointment because of its
exclusiveness, and because the Council had not been asked to recommend.
Mr. Alderman Padmore seconded the motion. Mr. Hughes moved, as an
amendment, “That this meeting is unnecessary and uncalled for;” and this
was seconded by Mr. Bedford, who said that parish officers could not get
justice from the present justices; and denounced the appointment of Mr.
Sidebottom to the stipendiary magistrateship as a “flagrant job,” only to
make way for Mr. Hill. The motion was carried by 27 to 4, and a memorial
prepared to be presented by Sir Thomas Wilde to the Secretary of State.
1842—JANUARY—A committee appointed, on the motion of Mr. Elgie, to
inquire into the truth of Mr. Bedford’s declaration, that the appointment
of Mr. Sidebottom as stipendiary magistrate was a “flagrant job,” and
they reported that it was altogether “untrue and unfounded;” inasmuch as
Mr. Sidebottom declared that his resignation of the office of town clerk
was voluntary.
1842—MAY 20—A special meeting of the body was held to congratulate the
promoters of the Severn Navigation Improvement on the passing of the
measure, and to thank the noblemen and gentlemen by whose exertions its
success had been secured.
1842—JULY 12—The Council refused to nominate Commissioners of Income Tax
for inquiring into the emoluments arising from public offices held in the
city, and the appointment, therefore, reverted to the treasury or the
commissioners for general purposes.
1842—OCTOBER 26—A special meeting held to consider the railway question.
Mr. Alderman Chalk proposed that it was desirable for the Council to
examine whether there was any agreement subsisting between the city and
Mr. Berkeley, such as should preclude the city from consenting to the
project, or going to Parliament for whatever line they thought fit. Mr.
Pierpoint seconded the motion. Mr. Elgie proposed, as an amendment, that
it be referred to the railway committee to inquire whether any engagement
had been entered into by which the citizens were bound in honour or
equity from becoming parties to the Bredicot branch. The Town Clerk gave
it as his opinion that there was no agreement in existence which bound
the city in any way. On a division, the amendment was carried by 15 to
13—the Mayor, Alderman Corles, and four other councillors declining to
vote. Mr. Chalk, Mr. Bedford, and others protested against the amendment
being declared carried, because it had not obtained, as required by the
sixty-ninth clause of the Municipal Act, _a majority of those present_.
1842—NOVEMBER—Mr. Alderman John Lilly unanimously elected Mayor, and Mr.
Alderman Lewis, Sheriff.
1843—JANUARY 2—The Council determined to oppose the Birmingham and
Gloucester Railway Company in their application to Parliament for powers
to make the Bredicot branch, by a majority of 25 to 5.
1843—AUGUST 1—The Town Clerk brought a bill of £250 for the costs of the
unsuccessful opposition to the Birmingham and Gloucester Railway Money
Bill. Mr. Alderman Palmer moved that it be referred to the Finance
Committee; but it was resolved by 11 to 9 that the bill, which was
admitted on all hands to be very fair in its charges, should be paid at
once, together with £17 due to the Town Clerk on a former occasion.
1843—OCTOBER—The Guildhall having been illuminated on the occasion of the
Queen Dowager’s visit to the city, Mr. W. D. Lingham, the City
Chamberlain, brought in a bill of £18. 7s. 6d. for the expense, the
payment of which was disputed with most pitiable parsimony. The Council
divided, and 19 voted for payment to 14 against it.
1843—NOVEMBER—There was but little contest in the municipal election this
year. Mr. Alderman Lewis was elected Mayor; and Mr. L. Ledbrook,
Sheriff, by 21 votes to 19 given for Mr. Edward Wheeler.
1843—DECEMBER 5—Upon the motion of Mr. Hughes, seconded by Alderman
Padmore, it was decided that the meetings of the Council should be thrown
open to the public; but this was afterwards set aside.
1844—JANUARY 4—The Council, on the motion of Mr. Bedford, determined only
henceforth to style themselves, “The Mayor, Aldermen, and Citizens of the
City of Worcester,” as their proper legal title. A motion to give a
salary to the Mayor was rejected by 19 to 10.
1844—SEPTEMBER—The Council (and afterwards the Chamber of Commerce)
pronounced in favour of the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton Railway
project, in preference to any other of the schemes before the city, by
large majorities.
1844—NOVEMBER—There were no contests in the wards this year, except at
St. John’s. Mr. William Lewis was reëlected Mayor without opposition,
and Mr. Lloyd was chosen Sheriff by 22 votes to 12 given for Mr. Elgie.
1845—JANUARY 11—At a special meeting called to assent to, or dissent
from, the Tring line promoted by the London and Birmingham Company, and
which would pass through part of the corporation property in the
Blockhouse, &c., Mr. Alderman Chalk asked the Council to abide by its
former decision in favour of the Oxford line, and dissent from the Tring
scheme—and proposed a resolution to that effect, which was seconded by
Mr. Alderman R. Evans. Mr. Wall and Mr. Hood moved that the Council do
assent to the Tring line; but this was negatived by 18 to 7, and Mr.
Chalk’s resolution carried.
1845—MARCH 27—The Council again declared in favour of the Oxford and
Wolverhampton line. Mr. Knight moved, as an amendment to the resolution
proposed by Mr. Elgie, that the Council should petition in favour of the
Tring line; but this was lost by 19 to 8.
1845—NOVEMBER—The elections this year brought two more Conservatives into
the council. E. J. Lloyd, Esq., was elected Mayor, and Mr. F. T. Elgie,
Sheriff.
1846—FEBRUARY 3—The Council petitioned for a total and immediate repeal
of the Corn Laws by a majority of 17 to 9.
1846—APRIL 14—William Lewis, Esq., chosen Mayor for the remainder of the
year, in the room of Edward Lloyd, Esq., deceased.
1846—MAY 5—At this, a quarterly meeting of the Council, Mr. Sheriff Elgie
moved a petition against the New Gas Company’s Bill (which had been
approved, in public meeting, the week before), and Mr. Hood seconded it.
Mr. Alderman Chalk objected to such a subject being brought on without
previous notice, and to a quarterly meeting being taken advantage of for
such a purpose. He moved an amendment for the postponement of the
question, which was, however, lost by 16 to 5, and Mr. Elgie’s petition
carried. A counter petition was afterwards presented from fourteen other
members of the body.
1846—NOVEMBER—F. T. Elgie, Esq. was unanimously chosen Mayor by the new
body, and Mr. Edward Webb, Sheriff.
1846—NOVEMBER 16—Mr. Arrowsmith moved that the Council should erect baths
and washhouses with as little delay as possible. Mr. Bedford thanked Mr.
Arrowsmith for bringing the matter forward, remarking that hitherto his
own efforts, for sanitary improvements, had all failed for want of
support. The motion was unanimously carried, and a committee appointed
to carry out the suggestion; and this committee has been formally renewed
from time to time, yet five years have now elapsed and baths and
washhouses in Worcester seem further off than ever.
1847—APRIL 24—A memorial having been presented to the Council, from the
agriculturists, praying to have the Sheep Market leased to them, in order
that they might erect a Corn Exchange thereon, Mr. Arrowsmith moved that
no sufficient reason had been shown to the Council to authorise them in
making a change that would be so injurious to a great number of the
inhabitants of the city. This was carried by 18 to 13. The Council
also, by a majority of 18 to 8, agreed to a petition in favour of Lord
Morpeth’s Sanitary Bill.
1847—NOVEMBER—The elections this year resulted in very little change.
Edward Webb, Esq. was chosen Mayor, and Mr. Padmore, Sheriff.
1848—APRIL 5—The Council granted a lease of the Wheat Sheaf Inn, Corn
Market, and other premises, to one of the Corn Exchange Companies.
1848—MAY 2—The Council, at a quarterly meeting, passed a resolution,
approving of the Mayor’s efforts to bring about an arrangement between
the rival Corn Exchange Companies; and begging the agriculturists to rest
satisfied with the one in Angel Street.
They also petitioned in favour of Lord Morpeth’s Health of Towns Bill.
1848—AUGUST 11—At a special meeting, called to consider the Corn Exchange
question, the Council, after a very warm debate on various propositions,
determined to take the opinion of Mr. Alexander as to their right to
regulate the Corn Market, to take toll on corn sold, and to prevent the
removal of the market from its ancient site. The opinion only went to
justify the corporation in taking toll on corn pitched in bulk, and no
further proceedings were taken in the matter.
1848—OCTOBER—The Council, with only one dissentient, agreed that it was
desirable that the Public Health Act should be applied to Worcester; and
appointed a committee to make a representation to that effect to the
Central Board of Health.
1848—NOVEMBER—Mr. Alderman Padmore was elected Mayor; and as he declined
to give a Sunday breakfast, go to the Cathedral, or wear a gown, he gave
£100 to the city instead. This donation, having afterwards been
considerably increased, has found a permanent shape in the handsome town
clock which now ornaments the front of the Market House. Mr. Goodwin was
elected Sheriff.
1849—JANUARY 1—The Council having previously determined to petition the
Lord Chancellor to appoint six new city magistrates, because some of
those named in the original commission were dead, and others did not
attend on the bench, this day proceeded to the selection of names.
Alderman Lewis had 29 votes; Alderman Chalk, 27; the Mayor, 25; Alderman
E. Evans, 25; J. W. Isaac, Esq., 22; Alderman Webb, 20; Dr. James Nash,
14; William Stallard, Esq., 10; Mr. Jabez Horne, 8; Alderman Helm, 3; Mr.
Bedford, 1; and Alderman Elgie, 1. The first six names were consequently
transmitted to the Lord Chancellor.
1849—NOVEMBER—The agitation respecting the carrying out the Health of
Towns Act this year, caused considerable change in the composition of the
municipal body; the only suitability sought in the new councillors being
their known determination to oppose the measure. Their subsequent
proceedings have had reference almost entirely to the