This week in 1957: Referring to expressions of fear by the general public about the amount of radiation following the proposed H-bomb tests on Christmas Island, George Ward, Secretary of State for Air and MP for Worcester, said at a meeting in the city on Friday that the government had been assured there was no cause for anxiety.

He stressed that the security of the free world largely depended on the nuclear deterrent.

"The government has been assured that if the tests are carried out with due restraint and kept on a small scale, the radiation risks will be well within the bounds of safety and we need have no anxiety," said Mr Ward.

This week in 1967: A move to stop Worcestershire going comprehensive educationally was defeated overwhelmingly at Monday's meeting of the county vouncil. By 67 votes to eight, members rejected an amendment moved by Councillor Robert Oakley who urged the council to abandon the plan for the adoption of comprehensive education throughout the county. Instead the council approved the final plan put forward by its education committee for the introduction of an "all in" system across Worcestershire.

l Plans for a new £90,000 Accident and Casualty Unit at Worcester Royal Infirmary have been approved by the city council. Work on this large single-storey building will begin very shortly. It will cover the site now occupied by tennis courts at the near of the nurses home.

Access will be off Croft Road. The new department will be fully equipped to the latest standards and will have its own small operating theatre.

This week in 1977: Worcester's Air Cadets opened their new headquarters at Perdiswell on Sunday. A plaque to commemorate the event was unveiled by the Mayor and Mayoress, Arthur and Dorothy Sage. The 187 Squadron's new HQ replaces buildings put up as temporary accommodation 30 years ago, although one wing of the old wooden huts has been retained. As well as a hall, the new HQ has three lecture rooms, offices and a kitchen.

l Worcestershire MP Esmond Bulmer, speaking at Alfrick on Saturday, described the increases in petrol tax and road fund licences as further nails in the coffin of village life. He pointed out that petrol now cost up to 10 pence per gallon more in the countryside than it did in the big cities. "The Government has shown a total disregard for the interests of the countryside. Village life is being subjected to greater pressures than ever before," asserted Mr Bulmer.

This week in 1987: Worcester MP Peter Walker has heaped praises on the city's new Fownes Hotel. Converted at a cost of £2 million from the vandalised ruins of a former extensive glove factory, the hotel was officially opened on Saturday by Mr Walker who described it as a major new asset to Worcester.

l The Bishop of Worcester is urging young people to adopt Christian moral standards - whatever their sexual tendencies. As part of the fight against AIDS, the Rt. Rev Philip Goodrich is recommending faithfulness within a permanent relationship for both heterosexuals and homosexuals. His views are contained in a new leaflet produced by the Worcester Diocesan Board for Social Responsibility.

This week in 1992: Homelessness in Worcester has risen again with 113 families now living in bed and breakfast accommodation and 2,264 people on the waiting list for council housing. No immediate solutions to the crisis can be seen by city council housing. officers.

Up to 120 much needed new jobs as well as a number of temporary vacancies are to be created in Worcestershire by cable television company Comment Cablevision when it begins its operations in the county in the autumn. The company hopes to introduce the new jobs in the Worcester, Droitwich and Redditch areas. Comment Cablevision is currently negotiating to set up its headquarters in Redditch with district offices in Worcester and Droitwich. It plans to reach 72,000 homes in the next three years.

l Homelessness in Worcester has risen again with 113 families now living in bed and breakfast accommodation and 2,264 people on the waiting list for council housing. No immediate solutions to the crisis can be seen by city council housing officers.