FOR many people living in Worcester, the St Peter's development has always been there, but of course that's not the case.

These pictures from our latest rummage through the cuttings files show how much the shape of the south side of the city has changed – and also the teething problems encountered during building, as is always the case.

 

 

 

This aerial picture of the Cherry Orchard estate, with the Bath Road running middle left to right, was taken by Roy Booker in November 1989, as part of a Down Your Way feature on the St Peter the Great area of Worcester

 

It’s fully developed now, but the housebuilding was still getting up to speed in St peter’s this picture taken in 1984

It’s fully developed now, but the housebuilding was still getting up to speed in St peter’s this picture taken in 1984

A perennial problem - speeding on St Peters Drive. Tony Russell, left, discusses concerns with local councillors and residents in October 1990

A perennial problem - speeding on St Peter's Drive. Tony Russell, left, discusses concerns with local councillors and residents in October 1990

Up in the sky again for this overhead shot of the Tesco supermarket in St Peters from 1989

Up in the sky again for this overhead shot of the Tesco supermarket in St Peter's from 1989

Its just a pile of bricks but its the start of the St Peters village hall in March 1992

It's just a pile of bricks but it's the start of the St Peter's village hall in March 1992

Its July 1995 and the parish council was looking to buy land on which to build a youth centre. Parish councillor Donald Anderton is pictured on the land, close to the Tesco site

It's July 1995 and the parish council was looking to buy land on which to build a youth centre. Parish councillor Donald Anderton is pictured on the land, close to the Tesco site

 

 

It's August 1992 and frames for the swings at partks in St Peter's have been put up - but fed-up youngsters, including Adam Challis, faced a long wait before the chains and swings were attached, as much as two years before the city council adopted the playground

 

 

 

Today's concerns are all about biodiversity in the verges and enabling wildlife to thrive but back in 1992, residents were concerned about the weeds being left to grow alongside footpaths, cycleways and roads. Sue Sanders, chairman of the residents association is seen peering through the foliage

 

The St Peters development is still taking shape in 1989 in this aerial shot looking east

The St Peter's development is still taking shape in 1989 in this aerial shot looking east

 

 

March 1990 and residents association members Bobby Dawson, Sue Sanders, Carol Dickinson and Helen Daniel were in discussion with the city council about the provision of a village hall for the area

 

 

 

The first St Peter's Garden festival took place in 1990. Sue Hearl, left, presents the cup to winners Frederick and Kathleen Moehle at their Magpie Close home

 

This birds-eye view taken by Roy Booker in 1989 show the recognisable line of St Peters Drive as it arcs westward towards the junstion with the Bath Road

This bird's-eye view taken by Roy Booker in 1989 show the recognisable line of St Peter's Drive as it arcs westward towards the junstion with the Bath Road

 

 

July 1990 saw youngsters competing in the first Family Sports Day in St Peter's, which took place in the grounds of the Timberdine (now Harvester) pub. About 150 people enjoyed the day in the sunshine

 

 

 

In 1980, peeople in Worcester were being offered a real say in the proposed location of the southern link road. This is the option that was eventually chosen. Note the completely undeveloped area directly to the north of the red dotted line - now completely covered in housing

 

 

 

The hottest summer for years in 1995 left the well-used track linking Bath Road with the top end of Battenhall Road affected by large cracks. One of young Alexander Whittle's stabilisers looks ready to slip down the crack