THIS WEEK IN 1989: THE loyal people of Worcester braved the elements to give the Queen and Prince Philip a royal welcome when they visited the city last Friday.

They came to lead Worcester’s celebrations of the 800th anniversary of the granting of its first Royal Charter by Richard I.

Crowds ranging from flagwaving children to flower bearing pensioners, lined the city’s streets to catch a glimpse of their monarch.

At Worcester Cathedral, the Queen and Prince Philip were welcomed by 1,500 invited guests and 840 pupils of the King’s School. Her Majesty unveiled a commemorative plaque at the cathedral’s new workshops housing its permanent team of stonemasons who are handling the massive restoration programme on the 900 years old building.

The Queen and Prince Philip then joined the Mayor, Councillor Brenda Sheridan, civic dignities and guests at Worcester Guildhall for an 800th anniversary celebration luncheon.

THIS WEEK IN 1979: WORCESTER has probably seen its last City Show.

The city council will be urged at its next meeting to cease staging this event which has been a feature of the Worcester calendar for several decades. The scrapping of the show is the unanimous recommendation of the council’s amenities committee.

Ever increasing losses and dwindling public support are the main reasons for the show’s almost certain disappearance.

The 1978 event suffered an all-time record loss of £11,000 and, though final accounts are not yet available, it is certain this year’s event in July incurred a deficit which will top £10,000.

THIS WEEK IN 1969: WORCESTER City Council is giving £100 to the fund to restore one of the few remaining Elgar relics in the city – the organ of St George’s Roman Catholic church in Sansome Place where, as a young man, the composer was organist and choirmaster for several years.

The instrument is being restored at Nicholson’s Organ Works in Malvern and should be returned to the church in time for the Christmas services.

The overall cost of restoration is £6,000 but a national appeal has resulted in all but £650 being raised.

It is hoped that Cardinal Heenan, head of the Roman Catholic Church in England, will attend a service of rededication of the restored organ.

THIS WEEK IN 1959: THE Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan has paid a “flying visit” to Worcester.

On a whistlestop tour of the country, he arrived at Kay’s car park in St Oswald’s Road in an open touring car with Lady Macmillan and George Ward, the Conservative candidate for the Worcester constituency.

The Prime Minister was greeted by cheers from a crowd of about 1,000.

The premier said the nation was now in a good position from which it could go forward.