THIS WEEK IN 1961:

FIRST stage in the Berni Group’s £40,000 renovation and improvement plan for the Pack Horse Hotel, one of Worcester’s most historic inns, has been the opening of the steak and aperitif bar in what was the hotel ballroom.

The Bristol-based group is using its well-known interior designer Alex Waugh to undertake the transformation of the Pack Horse and to return this once-important coaching inn to “something like its former glory”. The plans for the hotel also include the provision of another two restaurants and several speciality bars. The next stage is the conversion of the inn’s old stables into the Stable Bar.

THIS WEEK IN 1971:

THE bells of Worcester Cathedral are a bit of a problem… in fact, rather a weighty problem. Although the cathedral boasts one of the finest ring of bells in the country, some of them are the heaviest and it appears there are not enough people strong enough to pull them. David Beacham, secretary of the cathedral bellringers, is seeking to recruit some young men, preferably in their 20s, to join the team of 12 who expertly ring the changes before Sunday services.

Although there is an urgent need for more bellringers at the cathedral, campanology is not a dying art as many youngsters in the diocese are eager to learn. Mr Beecham said: “We need three or four young men in their 20s who live in the area to join the cathedral team.”

THIS WEEK IN 1981:

WORCESTER’S new sports complex got off to a flying start with hundreds of people from all over the county pouring into Perdiswell to christen the facilities. The opening day was intended as an introduction for disabled people and certain ablebodied sportsmen and women from the area. But the Perdiswell Sports Centre has created so much interest that members of the public also turned up inquiring about the £1 million facilities. These include amenities for table tennis, badminton, archery, bowls, basketball, netball, squash, racketball, football and volleyball. There is also to be horse riding for the handicapped outside the centre. The manager Howard Peters anticipates a busy life as bookings come pouring in after a launch day which surpassed expectations.

THIS WEEK IN 1991:

AN indoor cricket school at Worcestershire CCC’s New Road ground is now in the planning stage following a feasibility study by the club’s architects.

Discussions have already been held with the city and county councils and though progress has been limited, the architects’ report has encouraged the club to look ahead to 1992-93 as the target date for starting this project. Worcestershire is the only first class county without its own indoor cricket facilities, and the club committee, in striving to develop more of its own local talent, considers an indoor school essential. The project for the Severn side of the ground also envisages other improved facilities for members and spectators, a replacement for the Severn Bar and an improved and extended shop.