March 8 to March 15, 2010 (From Worcester News)

March 8 to March 15, 2010

11:37am Tuesday 9th March 2010 in

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THIS WEEK IN 1960:

RABBITS are on the increase again in Worcestershire, as in other parts of the country. They have survived the myxomatosis scourge and are breeding rapidly again.

As the re-introduction of myxomatosis is now illegal, new weapons, as well as old, tried and proven methods, are being added to the armoury of those bent on destroying these pests.

Worcestershire is scheduled as a rabbit clearance area and rabbit clearance societies have been formed to combat the growing menace to crops and grassland. One of them is the Shrawley and District Rabbit Clearance Society whose members are using dogs, guns, snares and gas to kill rabbits. The society’s secretary and head forester for the 1,000-acre Astley Estate, Colin Bartholomew stressed: “We are determined that the rabbit as a species shall become extinct.”

THIS WEEK IN 1980:

WORCESTER’S £160,000 High Street pedestrian zone will be completed by Christmas and a £60,000 “Cathedral Square” created by August of next year, according to the latest official deadlines set by County Hall. The current £40,000 extension of the High Street pedestrian zone from the experimental section outside Boots to the Guildhall is due to be completed by April. Almost immediately afterwards, work is scheduled to get under way on the continuation of the zone to the Cathedral end of the main street. Proposals for the “Cathedral Square”

scheme have just been unveiled by the county planners and highway engineers. New paved and landscaped areas replacing the large Cathedral traffic roundabout will link the square with the High Street pedestrian zone. The roundabout system will be replaced by a two-way road going straight across from College Street to Deansway, with a pelican crossing for pedestrians. Pride of place in “Cathedral Square” is to be given to the Elgar Statue, now being cast in bronze at an English foundry.

THIS WEEK IN 1990:

THE Earl and Countess Spencer (he was the father of Princess Diana) will officially open Malvern’s new leisure pool, the Splash on March 19. The opening ceremony at midday will be followed by a Swimming Gala with local schools competing. Local TV and radio personality Hamilton Bland will be commentating during the gala. The Earl and Countess Spencer have a close affinity with Malvern. The Earl is patron of the Malvern Festival and the Countess has spent many summer holidays in the town with her grandmother Polly Cartland, and between them they have written a book on British spa towns which includes Malvern. The Splash has cost almost £3 million and is already proving to be very popular with admissions exceeding expectations.