Continuing our series about the historic newspaper volumes we have handed over to readers, Beverly Abbs hears some more of their stories

 

Linda Mottram, of Redfern Avenue, Worcester

April 1952, November 1977 and April 1981

LINDA Mottram said: "I had the volume for April 1952 as it was the month I was born, so it's of great interest to me.

"I have been slowly reading through the book.

"I just find it so interesting to read the old stories of Worcester and to remember local firms that I knew in my youth which are now sadly gone.

"It's also great to see what the prices were – a bit of a difference from today's.

"I wanted the volumes for my sons, as these were the months that they were born.

"I haven't given them the volumes yet as I wanted to keep them for their 40th birthdays in a few years' time.

"I thought it would be a great gift for them at the time. So much now is on electronic media, which isn't a bad thing, but it's also good to be able to turn a page and relax for a few minutes and enjoy the read."

 

Andy Morgan, of Warndon Villages, Worcester

July 1972

ANDY Morgan was very pleased to get the July 1972 Evening News as he was born on the 22nd of that month in that year.

He said it was unbelievable to see some of the prices of things then, especially the cars, and also some of the adverts for businesses that are no longer around.

The one that evoked particular memories for him was that of Russell and Dorrell, where his whole family had worked.

He said: "Mum was there for 25 years and was the cash office manager.

"I was there as a Saturday person and then worked in the warehouse before I went to college.

"My sister was there as a Saturday person and my father was Father Christmas! He was a firefighter at the city's old Hereford and Worcester station.

"They used to put the turntable ladder to the top of Russell and Dorrell and drop Father Christmas down."

 

Alan Chandler, of Hanley Swan, near Malvern

December 1941, November 1946, September 1971 and November 1978

BIRTHDAYS were the key to the editions that Alan Chandler picked up.

He was born on December 9, 1941; his wife, Cynthia, was born on November 29, 1946; his daughter, Kirsty, was born on September 15, 1971, and his son, Andrew, on November 29, 1978.

He said: "I just thought it a good opportunity to see what was going on at the time.

"It was all about the war when I was born.

"It was interesting to see Kirsty's birth announcement. It was in the next day, so I must have really rushed from the hospital.

"Unfortunately, with the November 1978 bound editions the only day that was missing was the 29th, my son's birthday."