GOOD weather over the weekend brought a record number of holiday-makers, either for day visits or for longer periods - so reported the Gazette 50 years ago.

"On Monday, traffic through the town was exceptionally heavy and not a little dislocation was caused by the roadwork going on along Worcester Road," said the front-page story.

"It was reported by the railway staff that many people who came into the district by road returned by train because of the traffic congestion, which at one point between Worcester and Malvern saw vehicles bumper-to-bumper for more than a three-mile stretch.

"The main attraction was the hills and there were many parties to be seen on the upper slopes, some with picnic bags and baskets. Cafes which were open (and not all were) did a roaring trade and had tea-time queues.

"The fair on the Link Common reaped a harvest, specially welcome after several wet, cold Bank Holidays in recent years. Litter on Tuesday bore witness only too obviously to the size of the crowds.

"Sunday saw the start of the pigeon flying season and birds from 100 baskets received in Malvern from the Black Country were released by the station staff.

"On the roads, Easter Sunday traffic was heavy and there were many coach parties from the Midlands which made the hills their destination."

One of the successful events of the holiday week was the Croome Hunt point-to-point, which attracted a crowd of 12,000. The event marked the golden jubilee of holding the event at Ryalls Court, by permission of the Surman family.

A new race, the Surman Jubilee Challenge Trophy, was won by Mrs E Raggett of Ledbury Hunt, whose gelding, Golden Elf, was ridden by Miss E Jackson.