THE Holy Well at Malvern Wells, and the water it produces, were the subjects of an admiring tribute in the Gazette of a century ago.

The writer said Malvern Wells was "regarded as the most select part of the select group of towns and villages which surround the Malvern Hills" and compares it favourably with the crowded Beacon and North Hill.

"The paths . . . are not worn to ugliness by the tread of many feet. The boisterous tripper never penetrates here, and the only sounds are the singing of many birds."

Such an idyllic setting is ideal for the Holy Well, where the renowned Mr J H Cuff operated his mineral water bottling business.

"If the word Holy in connection with the well has lost all its supernatural meaning, the marvellous purity of the water remains, and - what is very important in terms of water scares - it still issues from the hill in undiminished quantity and no drought, however lengthened, makes any appreciable difference in the flow.

"Frequent analyses, and the testimony of medical men, are sufficient to show that it ranks with the very best water that the world can produce.

"Close to the works, the spring bubbles out of the rock at about three gallons per minute and flows directly - pipes and other conveyances being unnecessary - into the factory where it is bottled and prepared.

"In no process of manufacture does the water come into contact with lead or iron piping . . . so that there is no chance of contamination.

"Scrupulous cleanliness is maintained everywhere, and the various syrups are prepared only from the purest ingredients.

"It is small wonder that Messrs Cuff have built up a thriving business and that they should send large consignments of their various specialities to all parts of England, and it is no wonder that there is an increasing demand for these beverages."