MALVERN is not progressive. That was the conclusion of a well-attended meeting of the town's debating society 50 years ago.

"One after another, speakers who included visitors as well as members, subjected the town to severe criticism," reported the Gazette.

Moving the resolution that Malvern was not progressive was Gerald Morice, who caused amusement when he described the Winter Gardens as "too small for a big event and too large for a small event". He also lambasted local shopkeepers for "lack of initiative" and said any improvement to shopping was due to chainstores or traders from neighbouring towns.

"Most of the shops looked just as they did when he was a boy," he said. "In view of the millions of pounds which the Government establishment had brought to the town, this does not seem good enough."

Mr Morice also criticised "contemptible" new public conveniences and the local council, which had just spent £27,000 on a new council chamber.

Opposing the resolution was Mr Langdon Morris, who said the town had shown itself progressive by the way it had adapted to changes brought about by the war; he accused his opponent of merely heaping abuse on the town.

He said in welcoming the staff of a large Government establishment, the town had showed a progressive spirit. He pointed out that from 1919 to 1939, 256 houses were built, but from 1947 to 1955, 1,432 dwellings were built and a large secondary school.

A vigorous debate followed. One elderly person said the only way Malvern was progressive was in its administration expenses. Another said Malvern was a "closed shop" to strangers.

A young man from RRE spoke proudly of the recent rag organised by its students, only to have an old man denounce the event as a "disgrace".

Many other criticisms were uttered and, by a majority of 12, the meeting declared Malvern to be unprogressive.