THE August bank holiday was held at the beginning of the month a century ago, and it seemed to be a great success, according to the Malvern Gazette of 1901.

The weather was kind, but what seemed almost more important to the paper's columnist 'Ariel' was that the visitors to the town were of the right sort.

"Our trippers now-a-days are an immense contrast to those of days gone by, and the vast majority of residents would only be too glad to see more of them," he said.

"When such a crowd as that of Monday can come here and not leave a single case to trouble the police court it speaks well for themselves and for those who cater to their entertainment, because Supt Harrison and his vigilant force may be depended upon to have kept a watchful eye on them all for the credit of the town.

"The horse-play and noise which would be tolerated in many places beloved of the tripper, would be sternly repressed here under any circumstances, but there was practically no attempt at it on this occasion, and the gangs of rowdy 'Arrys with concertina, accordion and mouth organ, and 'other instruments of music' who used to parade the Common a decade or two ago were non-existent; while the 'Arriets of a similar period, with their marvellous confections of millinery from the Worth of the Black Country, have developed into quiet and staid matrons, and have left no apparent successors."

Meanwhile, the 'Quality' were attending a ball at Madresfield Court to which a "large and representative gathering was invited".

Dancing was in the "splendidly appointed drawing room", with music provided by Herr Wurm's Viennese White Band.

In the exhaustive style of the time, the Gazette named each tune played by the band, and also gave an extensive guest list, allowing us to know that among the throng were Colonel de Berniere and officers of the 29th regimental district, the Earl and Countess of Gainsborough and Mr and Mrs R Martin-Holland.