100 years ago

The new school for young ladies, conducted by the Misses Baird, has now been opened at St James's, West Malvern. Improvements are still being carried out on the mansion and in the grounds, to adapt them to the proper requirements of the school. Malvern Gazette, October 17, 1902.

Ledbury October Fair, or Michaelmas Fair as it is more familiarly called, was held on Tuesday, but like all the old customs, it is rapidly dying out. We do not now find servants gathered together in their hundreds at the Top Cross in order to be hired (perhaps it is right and proper that we do not). Ledbury Free Press, October 21, 1902.

50 years ago

Malvern traders, who discussed the matter on Tuesday, generally do not seem to favour shops remaining open later, though they are to consider the desirability of keeping businesses open in the lunch hour. Mr H G Robinson said he knew three firms in the Midlands in his own line of business (men's outfitting) who had tried out later hours but had now reverted to the 5.30 closing hour. Malvern Gazette, October 17, 1952.

A feature of the ninth annual ploughing match organised by the Trumpet and District Agricultural Society was the all-round excellence of the ploughing. The progress of the society is indicated by the fact that 56 ploughmen competed at the two farms - Tuston and Free Town, Ashperton - where the contest was being held. The total prize money was £32, together with 12 silver challenge cups. Ledbury Reporter, October 24, 1952.

25 years ago

Mr John Parkes, owner of the Holy Well, on which he has spent a great deal of money and time restoring it from a derelict ruin, wants to open a water bottling plant below the well building. He was considering the possibility of constructing a small building below Holywell Road at the site of a 3,000 gallon underground tank. Malvern Gazette, October 20, 1977.

Viking Packaging, the Droitwich firm who are hoping to set up a factory at Ledbury Trading Estate, have hit more problems after apparently laying to rest the concerns of nearly residents. Restrictions on working hours imposed by the Malvern Hills District Council have rendered their scheme non-viable. Ledbury Reporter, October 20, 1977.