n THE reference to Pride of The Midlands in the August 7 issue of Evening News caused me to reflect on bygone days.
Long before those two somewhat ungainly beer boats appeared on the Severn at Worcester, the city was home to three graceful river steamers, Holt Castle, Belle and Duchess Doreen.
Remember them? The original name of the latter was Duchess of York, but she was renamed because P&O required that name for one of their mighty liners.
Meanwhile, away from the river, picturesque tramcars travelled the streets of the Faithful City. These were prematurely replaced by characterless petrol buses.
Most people had very little money, yet they were far happier and more contented than they are today.
Nobody placed obstructions on the tracks of those steam trains, nor were missiles even aimed at the trains, the steamers on the river, or the swans.
The streets were safe because the public were allowed and expected to do their own job. I am glad I was young when I was.
D E MARGRETT,
Worcester.
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