THIS WEEK IN 1968:

THE Ministry of Housing and Local Government has consented to the demolition of Witley Court, and the county planning officer HM Watson is suggesting that the site be used as an overnight caravan and camping site or as a picnic area.

Plans have been approved by the local authorities concerned for the removal of some of the historic features from the grounds of Witley Court and their re-erection on land at Witnells End Coppice, Shatterford, near Kidderminster.

They comprise two temples, the dolphin fountain and the orangery. The owner of Witley Court, John Wigington of Stratford-on-Avon said it was “an act of providence” as vandals had been causing much damage.

The owner of Witnells End Coppice is Dr DM McDonald, the well-known industrialist and cattle breeder.

THIS WEEK IN 1978:

AT the eleventh hour, city councillors have given the goahead for Worcester’s first Christmas illuminations for five years. However, they will be only a modest affair costing £2,200.

The council is buying nine illuminated garlands at a cost of £900 to go across High Street and is also to bring out of storage some stars and other lighting features, but the installation of these items, plus electricity to light them, will cost £1,300.

● City Council representatives have had talks with Worcester Canoe Club about the problems posed by the deadline set for it to leave its “temporary” HQ on the riverside in Hylton Road.

The council says the club must move out by the middle of 1980 and become part of the proposed Worcester River Sports Centre to the sited on the opposite side of the Severn at Pitchcroft. But the canoe club warns that the transfer and construction of the necessary facilities will cost £40,000 – a sum it would find very difficult to raise, except over a number of years.

THIS WEEK IN 1988:

The ambitious plan to create 30 flats in the redundant St Mary Magdalene Church at the heart of Worcester’s Arboretum area moved a stage further this week as city council leaders underlined their all-out approval of the plan submitted by a Londonbased firm. The impressive spire of St Mary’s – to be preserved as part of the scheme – is a significant feature of the Worcester skyline.

● Worcester’s highly successful Shopmobility scheme – set up to allow disabled shoppers to have battery-powered scooters for city centre shopping ventures – got another shot in the arm this week as organisers took charge of four more new scooters, donated by the Worcester Consolidated Municipal Charities.