THIS WEEK IN 1960:

THE growing tendency of mothers to go out to work and “neglect the multitudinous needs of the family” is blamed by Dr JW Pickup, the county medical officer for the mental stress and, in some cases, actual mental illness among children in Worcestershire.

This condemnation is contained in his annual Schools’ Health Service report for 1959. He writes: “The absence of the mother from the home owing to a desire to try to maintain a so-called higher standard of life for the family sometimes may lead to a less settled and less happy household, although the family material wants have been more adequately satisfied. I think that much of the mental stress and actual mental illness with some children might well be due to the stresses and strains caused by the absence of the mother at work and the resultant rush and stress when she returns home in an endeavour to cope with all the household chores and the inevitable needs of a family.”

THIS WEEK IN 1970:

From the leader column of Berrow’s Worcester Journal: “It is good to see that at last a determined effort is being made to clear up and beautify the river bank on the west side from the Severn bridge going upstream. The city has long been criticised for failing to do anything about the appalling mess of derelict buildings and scrubland that for too long have made Hylton Road an area to be carefully avoided by visitors. But how far will the proposed improvements be extended? How long is the beautiful stretch of bank between the notice board, warning pedestrians that the path has slipped away in places, up to the old Dog and Duck ferry to remain a jungle? Those who brave the nettles, the brambles and the partially-collapsed footpath are rewarded with some very pleasant scenery.”

THIS WEEK IN 1980:

ONE of Worcester’s last glove firms, Milore, the high-class glove makers, is to close down by the end of the year with the loss of 80 jobs. The news was broken to employees of Milore’s Worcester and Bromyard factories on Friday. Robert Ring, the managing director, said: “The decision has not been taken lightly but the downturn in retail sales has reduced the demand for our high quality gloves, and on our medium and lower priced ranges the competition is too severe because of foreign imports.”

The firm, which is based in St George’s Square, Worcester, has boasted royalty, leading actresses and even mountain climbers among its customers over the past 45 years. Sales took a severe dive a year ago which led to a small number of redundancies in June this year and to some short-time working.

Mr Ring said: “It is very sad that the current adverse economic and market forces should bring about the closure of a talented company with a workforce full of character and following Worcester’s long tradition for skilled and meticulous craftsmanship.”

Worcester was once a major and renowned glove manufacturing centre in this country but following the closure of Fownes and Dents in recent years, there is now very little glove making left in the city.

THIS WEEK IN 1990:

WORCESTERSHIRE residents are being reminded that people “at risk” from the winter flu epidemic should be seeing their doctors now about jabs. A flu epidemic last year resulted in 26,000 deaths in Britain.

Manufacture of 1990

vaccines has already begun.

The serum is altered each year to combat changes in flu strains, and 3.5 million doses are becoming available this month. The National Pharmaceutical Association is warning people not to wait until December when many peole have flu but to contact their doctors immediately. People particularly at risk are those with heart, lung and kidney conditions, diabetes, low resistance to infections, and the elderly in residential homes or other long stay accommodation.