Latest news with #TheShambles
Yahoo
10-08-2025
- Yahoo
Grave robbers beware, Charlie's watching you
A COUPLE of weeks ago I wrote a piece about policing Worcester in the 1950s when young PC George Lewis on his night-time patrols knew the shape and feel of every shop doorknob in The Shambles. But long before George the city's security was down to old men known as Charlie who were not only ancient but often infirm too. A combination which inevitably handicapped the system somewhat. In the days prior to regular police forces they were similar to nightwatchmen and occupied sentry-type boxes which gave shelter from the elements but were sometimes sited in bizarre places. More: Cinema trip leads to 70 years of marriage for city couple More: Getting all steamed up - a railway battle in Worcester More: The changing face of Worcester as never seen before A Charlie on Worcester Cross you might understand but one in nearby St Nicholas churchyard? Presumably as a deterrent to graverobbing, a potentially lucrative crime at one time. The Charlies (or Charleys) began in the 1660s when Charles II set up a force of paid watchmen to patrol city streets. But the financial remuneration was poor and the effort put in by most was commensurate. They were not really supposed to leap from their boxes to affect an arrest – their physical condition would usually prohibit that – but raise the alarm that bad deeds were afoot and hope the general populace would respond. Even so, it must have taken some courage to be a Charlie, not least because they were also frequently the butt of practical jokes by the young bucks of the period looking for a laugh on a night out. A Charlie was stationed nightly at Worcester bridge to keep a lookout on people passing over the Severn, his hours usually divided between smoking and sleeping in his box. Late one evening a group of young men found him asleep, gently carried him and his box down to the water's edge and set it adrift on the river. It was not until the water seeped into his box that he awoke and had to be rescued by watermen. Another of the Worcester Charlies was secured in his box and turned over on the pavement. He had to wait until daylight for passers-by to notice his plight but apparently he was not very popular so no one rushed to release him. Apart from this levity, things could turn nasty. In the 1820s a group calling themselves The Lambs used to infest the city streets at night, molesting and abusing anyone they fancied. Richard Hill was the last of Worcester's Charlies in his box on The Cross and he suffered a serious assault by these yobs. For some time Hill lay close to death and, although he eventually recovered, he was considered unfit to continue as a Charlie – so he must have been pretty bad - and instead was appointed beadle of St Nicholas Church. Which fortunately didn't involve sitting in the churchyard at night.
Irish Independent
24-06-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
New Ross can become ‘Wexford's premier town' says new chair of municipal district
"We have an outstanding town, and we have a chance to make it the premier town of Wexford, this is down to the dedicated team of professional people we have here who are behind all the work that's happening here,' he said. 'We have taken some gigantic steps in the last year, they might not seem gigantic but in comparison to what we had here before they are.' Praising district manager Alan Fitzhenry and director of services Eamonn Hore for their work behind the scenes, the new cathaoirleach said that the staff and officials in New Ross were the 'envy of every district in the county'. Cllr Michael Sheehan was on the same council as Cllr Dwyer back in 1999 and described his long-time colleague as 'very experienced, fair, and decent' and 'an upstanding individual'. This was echoed by Cllr Murphy who said the new cathaoirleach was a 'decent, passionate individual' whose 'honesty and truthfulness' made him a rare breed in the world of politics. Further congratulations came from Cllrs Pat Barden, Marty Murphy, and John Fleming with the latter assuming the role of leas cathaoirleach and, potentially, co-host of a new podcast. 'With the two Johnnies in place we can't go wrong,' noted Cllr Fleming. "I look forward to the podcast,' remarked Mr Fitzhenry. As outgoing cathaoirleach, Cllr Bridín Murphy offered her 'heartfelt thanks' to all those in the chamber for their work over the past 12 months. Describing the completion of works at Brennan's Lane as the highlight of her year, she also paid tribute to the team behind the scenes. 'We have a team here which works tirelessly in the background and doesn't always get the credit it deserves, I wish everyone the best for the year ahead and look forward to working with you all,' she said. Praising Cllr Murphy for her work, Mr Fitzhenry mentioned some of the big projects and events which had made the outgoing chair's year such a success. 'There have been so many projects which have progressed in that time: The Shambles, Duncannon Fort, the skateboard park, we had the premiere of Small Things Like These, the taoiseachs visit to Kennedy Summer School, you have represented the district exceptionally,' he said. Cllr Murphy's ability to chair a meeting effectively was praised by Cllr Barden who said she had managed the 'almost impossible' feat of being very fair to everyone at all times. As a new councillor, Marty Murphy said his namesake had welcomed him into the chamber and been very helpful during his first year in office. Meanwhile, Cllr Sheehan's congratulations came with a thinly-veiled reference to the behaviour of those from outside the chamber. 'You've had an outstanding year and been an amazing representative for New Ross,' he said to Cllr Murphy. 'The criticism you received was unfair and unnecessary; to those who did that, I remember who you are and your day will come. But Cllr Murphy you showed what New Ross is; a bright, energetic, and confident district.' Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
BBC News
03-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Shambles market in Hexham shut until autumn for revamp
A £400,000 restoration project has started to rectify damage and address safety issues at a 259-year-old covered Shambles, a Grade-II listed structure built in 1766, occupies a prominent position within the heart of Hexham's conservation area, next to the town's County Council said it is in a poor state and "urgent work" is needed to restore its timber beams, stone columns, roof and marketplace is expected to remain shut until autumn, with traders offered an alternative site nearby, but Hexham East councillor Suzanne Fairless-Aitken called the closure "short-term pain for long-term gain". The Local Democracy Reporting Service reports bollards are also to be placed around The Shambles' north and west sides to protect its columns and stonework, which "have been repeatedly damaged by vehicles over the last few years". Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
