THE felling of an old pear tree in North Malvern was the subject of sharp debate in the Malvern Gazette 50 years ago.

The destruction of the tree, at the junction of Leigh Sinton Road and the access to North Site, had been deplored by T McCarry, who called it "the wanton destruction of some of Malvern's finest timber, to wit a unique pear tree of entrancing beauty when in blossom".

Marjorie Colbert said the council acted "without good reason" and C Copinger described it as "most disturbing".

But F T Wilson said the tree in question was a "nuisance to neighbours".

When it was in fruit, it attracted "hordes of children from other parts of Malvern who arrived armed with large stones which they proceeded to throw at the tree to bring down the pears".

The tree itself was also in an advanced state of decay "so that it was only a matter of time before it constituted a serious danger".