January 25 to February 1, 2010 (From Worcester News)

January 25 to February 1, 2010

3:05pm Monday 25th January 2010 in

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THIS WEEK IN 1970:

THERE was a remarkable turnout of farmers for the Worcestershire NFU protest rally in Pershore on Tuesday. Tractors poured into the town from all directions but, unlike at Stratford-upon-Avon, traffic congestion was reduced to the minimum. The farmers were taking part in a national protest against the Government’s agricultural policy which favours goods from abroad rather than giving greater support to Britain’s farming industry.

Television crews waited at strategic points in Pershore’s crowded main street for the tractor-cade.

More than 140 vehicles ranging from tractors and lorries to Land Rovers and cars converged in a steady stream to form the farmers’ protest procession. South Worcestershire MP Sir Gerald Nabarro addressed the crowd and “condemned and castigated” the Government for recently buying 70,000 tons of apples from abroad at a time when the British market is crammed with homeproduced fruit. He said: “Our farmers are now producing twice as much food as 30 years ago and it is madness for the Government to import many tons of apples when every store in Britain is crammed full of apples from last autumn’s harvest.”

THIS WEEK IN 1980:

THE hard years for British farmers are over, according to Agriculture Minister and MP for Worcester, Peter Walker. He said: “Three devaluations in the green pound over the past eight months have made British food prices competitive in Europe and our farmers must now gear themselves to an expanding European market. In the past, this market has never really been exploited but in the Eighties our agricultural industry can look forward to success like we have never had before.”

● House prices in Worcestershire have risen on average by 30 per cent in the past year. Modern semidetached houses, selling a year ago at £15,000, are now making about £20,000, while three-bedroom detached properties, originally in the low £20,000s, are now selling at £30,000. Four-bedroom houses, principally modern and on estates, which were retailing at £25,000 a year ago, are now finding purchasers at £35,000.

THIS WEEK IN 1990:

WORCESTERSHIRE County Cricket Club finished last season with a record profit of £94,332 after spending £118,000 on improving facilities at New Road. Now the club committee is earnestly considering the provision of further amenities including a suite of hospitality boxes above the roof of the New Road Stand to generate more commercial revenue.

Additional seating on the opposite side of the ground is also envisaged though green areas will still be preserved for members to place their deckchairs.

Winning the county championship last year was considered to be even more impressive than in 1988 considering the level of injuries to its top players and Test match duty calls.

The club’s annual report says: “The fact that younger locally-born players made a significant contribution to the Championship triumph has been a cause for delight.”