100 years ago

IN Malvern Police Court on Tuesday, before Dr Dixey, Thomas Baker, aged 70, a bricklayer, of Quest Hills, was charged with wilfully and maliciously drawing the trigger of a pistol, and thereby attempting to shoot one William Edward Tudge, at Belmont on the 17th inst. Malvern Gazette, June 21, 1901.

One of the pleasantest cycle rides I know, says "Newsman" of Gloucester, is to the Hollybush, at this end of the Malverns.

You can go via Staunton and Pendock and return by way of Ledbury, Dymock and Newent, a round trip of under 40 miles through charming country. There's a fair amount of "collar work" but it's a nice run down into Ledbury. Just now, the roads are in very fair condition. Ledbury Free Press, June 25, 1901.

50 years ago

TWENTY-three hotels in Malvern and district will house the 700 delegates and wives who are expected at the 43rd annual convention of the Association of Mining, Electrical and Mechanical Engineers to be held in Malvern next week. There will be a strong contingent from the French Coal Board, while every British coalfield will be represented. Malvern Gazette, June 22, 1951.

A Ledbury friend of mine tells me that nightingales used to nest near the entrance to the Ledbury tunnel, before the trees were cut away. According to him, the bird is rarely found in Wales, so that in Ledbury it is near the edge of its usual habitat. Ledbury Reporter, June 22, 1951.

25 years ago

A further cut of £12,500 in their spending has been made by Malvern Hills District Council's policy and resources committee to avoid the possibility of a £25,000 to £30,000 'fine' by the government. Malvern Gazette, June 24, 1976.

Strawberries for tea means something more mouth-watering than usual at Southies, a privately run home for the elderly at Ledbury. The strawberries weigh in at more than an ounce. Bob Plenderleith, superintendent of the home, who grew the giants, is mystified why they came so big. Ledbury Reporter, June 24, 1976.