THIS WEEK IN 1958

EXACTLY a century ago, one of the poorest quarters in Worcester – the Blockhouse – with its narrow dirty streets and closely packed houses, echoed for the first time to the quiet rumble which heralded the dawn of a major new industry in the city.

The noise of this modest production in the Providence Works has now grown to a thunderous roar as numerous machines turn out tens of thousands of articles, particularly tin cans and metal containers, for distribution all over the world. The handful of workmen has also expanded to a personnel of more than 600. (Williamson’s Providence Works was a forerunner of Metal Box).

● At his induction as president of Worcester Rotary Club, John Bee, wellknown as manager of the Odeon cinema, asserted that there was too much insincerity in the world today. It was therefore crucial that foremost in the minds of all Rotarians should remain service to their fellow men and women, especially to the elderly who, he said, were not given sufficient opportunity by the Government to earn the money they could.

THIS WEEK IN 1968:

Not only is the heavy lead roof above the main foyer and the two side wings in a dangerous condition but experts have also found that red fungus rot has spread to the timbers above the big main hall of Worcester’s Shirehall. In fact, “the very best technical methods and preventative measures that can be mustered” will now have to be used by experts to save the main hall roof timbers.

The very extensive repair and preservation work, plus the need for a new roof over the foyer, is expected to be extremely costly and will take several months to carry out.

● Urgent repair work to the 131-year-old road bridge at Powick will cost Worcestershire County Council and Worcester City Council more than £3,500.

During eight-and-a-half weeks beginning in September, main road traffic on this busy bridge will have to be reduced to single flow while the repairs are carried out.

THIS WEEK IN 1978:

THE company which makes the engine that powers former world champion racing driver James Hunt is set to start up business in Worcester.

Top executives from the company made their second flying visit by helicopter to Worcester in six weeks to look over vacant factory premises in Hylton Road. Before leaving this time, Alf Vickers, managing director of Cosworth Engineering, manufacturers of motor racing engines to all but three Formula One teams, said the company would like to set up a unit in Worcester, largely for research and development work with the metallurgical problems associated with motor racing engines.

Northampton-based Cosworth believes Worcester would be “a nice place” for its employees to live, with good schools and near main transport routes.

● Active support for the creation of women priests is to be given by the Bishop of Worcester, the Rt Rev Robin Woods at the Lambeth Conference of 400 bishops from 60 nations.

He hopes a recommendation will be made for the ordination of women priests, though any decision is not binding on the Anglican Church.

THIS WEEK IN 1988:

WORCESTER’S Technical College will have to stay a “two centre” or split site institution for the foreseeable future, warn county councillors.

They have taken the policy decision that the ‘Tech’ will have to be based both at its main buildings in Deansway and its large new annexe in the former Bishop Perowne School buildings at Barbourne. It will mean further upgrading work to the Barbourne buildings to ensure their longer life.

● The former Conservative MP for Worcester, Viscount Ward of Witley has died at the age of 80.

As the Hon George Ward he was the city’s MP from 1945 to 1961 and was Secretary of State for Air and Parliamentary and Financial Secretary to the Admiralty in Anthony Eden’s Government and then Secretary of State for Air in Harold Macmillan’s government.