THIS WEEK IN 1961:

AMONG many interesting exhibits at the annual arts and crafts exhibition at Powick Hospital this week were paintings executed by patients under the influence of LSD the “wonder drug”

discovered in “sacred mushrooms.” The discovery and development of LSD – “acid” – was illustrated in a recent television feature programme. Under its influence, mentally ill patients at Powick Hospital, near Worcester, have been painting these pictures which illustrate their sub-conscious instincts and emotions. The pictures provide psychiatrists and doctors with vital information about the artists and, as a result, ways can often be found to cure them.

The drug does not always act in the same way, however.

Sometimes a patient expresses him or herself in words or writing.

THIS WEEK IN 1971:

THE wedding took place at Hampstead Register Office this week of the 60 years old band leader Edmundo Ros and 25 years old Susan Barbara Smith, the youngest of three daughters of Mr and Mrs Harry Smith who own a general stores in Wyld’s Lane, Worcester.

Susan was educated at Nunnery Wood Secondary School and then worked in the cashier’s department of Marks & Spencer’s store in High Street, Worcester, before moving to London to join a finance company. She met Edmundo Ros when he gave up his seat to her on a crowded London-bound train.

􀁥 Worcester artist Waldron West’s portrait of Sheila Scott, Worcester born world record-breaking woman aviator, is now completed and is to be put on display at the City Art Gallery. The portrait was commissioned by the city council in 1969. It is a 40-inch by 30-inch study of the flying adventuress, painting in oils, and will eventually go on permanent show at the City Art Gallery.

THIS WEEK IN 1981:

THE Prime Minister and the employment secretary are to be alerted sharply to the “disaster of gigantic proportions” facing the county later this year when 10,000 of its young people will be on the dole without any hope of a job. The county education committee agreed unanimously this week to write to Margaret Thatcher and Jim Prior expressing deep concern about the “tragedy” lying ahead. County councillors are also protesting “in the strongest possible terms”

about the big cutback being made by the Manpower Services Commission in its youth opportunities programme for the county.

The MSC is making the “feeble” offer of only a further 970 places in its programme this year – a drop of several hundred.

THIS WEEK IN 1991:

CITY councillors have decided to forge ahead with their scheme to build a cycle/footbridge across the Severn at Worcester despite escalating costs and continued Tory protests.

After the presentation of two petitions (one 2,000- strong anti the bridge submitted by the Tories, and one 2,532-strong pro the scheme presented by Councillor Carl Partridge on behalf of the Friends of the Bridge), the council voted by a substantial majority to give the go ahead to the £462,000 Severn span.

Council leader George Randall saw it as “D-Day for a long overdue project,” first mooted in the mid 1970s.

Construction should begin in September.