This week in 1967:

Worcester Civic Society's deep concerns about the 1960s redevelopment of the city have been expressed by the chairman, Godfrey Brown, headmaster of the Royal Grammar School.

He said: "A number of mean and unworthy buildings have gone up in the city in recent years and some buildings of character and distinction have been needlessly sacrificed.

"However, this is not to say we are against the intrusion of modern buildings among the older. Indeed, the peculiar charm of our old towns in general and Worcester in particular has been the mixture of style and period that has characterised their main streets.

"Nevertheless, we must prevent individual developments from seeking to dominate their neighbours. This vulgar self-display characterised some of the 19th development and has been repeated in recent years by some commercial enterprises in Worcester." (Mr Brown was talking at a time when the Lychgate development had not long been completed and plans had been unveiled for the large-scale Blackfriars redevelopment).

This week in 1977:

HOLY Well - one of the historic fore-runners of the water cures that made Malvern fashionable - was officially re-opened last week. Owner John Parkes and his wife Thelma have restored the well buildings - Rock House, Holy Well and the cottage - which had all been in a derelict state.

Councillor John Guise, chairman of Malvern Hills District Council, said: "I am so conscious that Mr Parkes has done something that has been badly needed for a very long time."

This week in 1987:

Inmates of Worcestershire's top security Long Lartin Prison have been given an Arts Council grant for music and dance sessions. The money - 250 - will pay for a professional tutor to teach at 11 workshops for the prison's own reggae band, formed by about a dozen inmates in their 20s and 30s.

This week in 1992:

Meco dropped a bombshell this week with its announcement that it is to close its long-established mining engineering factory in Bromyard Road, Worcester. Most of the 380 workforce at the factory are to be offered transfers to the company's Tewkesbury operation or to Meco's conveyor belt business in Gateshead, but 67 jobs will be lost immediately.

* New figures reveal that there are 154 children living in temporary or bed and breakfast accommodation in Worcester. They are among the growing band of homeless people in the city.