100 years ago

News has been received in Malvern Wells of the death of Fred Bough, who was killed in action in Ingogo. He was in the 14th Hussars and had gone safely through much hard fighting under General French. Many who knew him will mourn his loss, and sympathise deeply with his sorrowing relatives.

Malvern Gazette, January 3, 1902.

During the winter, the day par excellence at Dymock is always that of the Invitation Dance, or rather, we should say, "The Night", as the festivities commence at 8pm and continue "till daybreak doth appear". The date is always New Year's Eve and the dance, which took place Tuesday last, was in no way behind its predecessors as a success. The schoolroom had been prettily decorated by a number of ladies and assistant swains, with chains of coloured paper and an abundance of evergreens.

Ledbury Free Press, January 7, 1902.

50 years ago

The annual outing of the Royal and Ancient Order of Water Buffaloes took place last Saturday when a party of 60 (including wives and children) attended the matinee performance of the pantomime at the Festival Theatre. After the show, the company went to Priory Hall and enjoyed tea. At the conclusion, the whole party were entertained with games and community singing.

Malvern Gazette, January 4, 1952.

A feature of the Christmas mail at Ledbury Post Office was the comparative decline in the number of parcels and packets handled. The Postmaster, Mr Prosser, told me there was quite a definite drop. There were also fewer Christmas cards.

Ledbury Reporter, January 4, 1952.

25 years ago

Mr Roland James Lees, director of the Royal Signals and Radar Establishment, became a Companion of the Bath in the New Year Honours List. An honour for the Establishment was partly expected in view of the Queen's visit last March, when she came to re-name the former Royal Radar Establishment.

Malvern Gazette, January 6, 1976.

Herefordshire farmers are facing a potato crisis - and it could mean a bleak New Year present for county housewives. About a quarter of the county's main crop acreage still remains unharvested in the fields.

It is a disastrous situation which follows one of the most difficult growing seasons for 30 years.

Ledbury Reporter, January 6, 1976.