100 years ago

On Friday evening last, the friends of Mr Octavius Baker, builder, entertained him to dinner at the North Malvern Hotel, prior to his departure for Weston-super-Mare, where he intends in future to reside. There were about 20 present, and a very pleasant evening was spent. After an excellent dinner provided by Mrs Franklin, the chairman proposes the health of the guest of the evening. He spoke in complimentary terms of Mr Baker, whom he had known for many years, and said he was very sorry he was leaving Malvern. Malvern Gazette, March 25, 1904.

The announcement that a circus will attend Ledbury on Good Friday and give performances at times when the usual religious services are being held in the town has given rise to a deep feeling of indignation and resentment among the great majority of the residents. The Rector of Ledbury said he could well imagine the Lord looking down from Heaven and saying, in sorrowful pleading, "Is it nothing to you all?" Ledbury Free Press, March 29, 1904.

50 years ago

Preaching at the Priory Church on Sunday week on the theme "How to handle sex", the Vicar of Malvern (the Rev R B Lunt) told the congregation that he did not apologise for talking about sex, as whether one admitted it or not, it was part of life. People who pretended that they were not the least interested in sex, he said, were either not grown-up or were not being very honest. It was often said, and not without cause in some cases, that the Church was more ready to criticise than to help in those matters. Malvern Gazette, March 26, 1954.

Preaching his farewell sermon on Sunday, the Vicar of Bosbury, the Rev J E Charring, said he came to the parish as a townsman and he thought that his ways were not always those of parishoners in a country district like Bosbury. He thanked them for their patience and forbearance. Ledbury Reporter, March 26, 1954.

25 years ago

A youth centre is a meeting place for young people rather than a venue for organised games and entertainment, in the opinion of Malvern Youth Centre's new leader, Mr David Shaddick. "I see the centre as a meeting place where young people can discuss with sympathetic adults anything that concerns them," said 24-year-old Mr Shaddick, who is from Berkshire. Malvern Gazette, March 29, 1979.

The unemployment level in Ledbury is among the highest in the county, and the proposed private and council development of about 600 houses will attract more people into the town, the annual town meeting heard on Thursday. That was why the county council was keen to attract light industry and prevent Ledbury from becoming a high residential area with even higher unemployment. Ledbury Reporter, March 29, 1979.