One way to do politics….

January 4 th 1774…reported by the Gloucester Journal….

On this day,many of the citizens of Gloucester had gathered on the banks of the River Severn to enjoy the generosity of one of the parliamentary candidates for Gloucester,who had left 100 Guineas with his agent,” for the purposes of merriment “.The money had been used to provide a bullock,which was to be roasted whole,and two hogsheads of ale,for the public.As the river was frozen,it had been decided to roast the bullock on the ice.Once this had begun,the company,estimated at about 2,000 walked onto the frozen water to get their meal,but before they could get off again,the ice gave way,and about 100 people  went into the water.Unfortunately about 20 of them were drowned.