100 years ago

THOS. Turner was charged by P. C. Davis with allowing an ass to stray in Manby Road. The constable said recently donkeys got into the Imperial Hotel gardens and did about £5 worth of damage. Defendant claimed the benefit of the First Offender's Act for himself and the donkey. The Bench fined him 1s. and 7s. costs. Malvern Gazette, December 21, 1900.

ON New Year's Eve, the Rev. Henry S. Sanders will conduct a watch night service in Eastnor Parish Church, commencing at 11.15pm. The service will be of a simple unconventional type, consisting of prayer, special hymns and an address. Watch Night will this year have a special significance, at the opening of the new century. Ledbury Free Press, December 25, 1900.

50 years ago

"AT this time of the year fowl stealing is one of our biggest problems. We are trying to cope with it by special patrols both on foot and by car. I feel that with the co-operation of the public we shall make it an unprofitable Christmas for chicken thieves."

These were the words on Tuesday at Worcester County Petty Sessions of inspector H. S. Mobbs, following a case in which a man had just been sent to prison for three months. Malvern Gazette, December 22, 1950.

MR E. Holford who works at Hill House Farm gave an interesting account of a rabbit hunt, when a remarkably mixed bag was obtained. Ferreting with nets on his farm, the company selected a series of burrows. After having caught quite a number of plump rabbits, they went on to another burrow. Here, to their surprise, a huge stoat was driven out and netted; afterwards being shot. The hunters shortly afterwards heard a hissing noise, and found it came from a yard-long grass snake. The reptile was dug out and despatched. Ledbury Reporter, December 22, 1950.

25 years ago

PEOPLE are generally so lazy now that they will not use car spaces provided for them unless these are right next to their homes.

This opinion was expressed by councillor Brian Wilcock at Malvern Hills District Council's central area planning sub-committee in objecting to the plans for building 45 homes and providing parking spaces for 44 cars on a site at Lower Howsell Road adjoining the New Inn.

The scheme was submitted by the Council, and councillor Wilcock said: "Here is a piece of ground which we have the chance to lay out, so why not put the car accommodation in the most convenient place - next to the house? You've got to acknowledge that people are basically lazy." Malvern Gazette, December 25, 1975.

CHAMPION beast at the Christmas fat stock show and sale at Ledbury Market was a Hereford Blue Grey, entered by Mr Fred Harrington of Lower House Farm, Canon Frome. It was the second year running that Mr Harrington has won the premier award at the show; and on both occasions, his winning entry was also adjudged the best butcher's beast. Ledbury Reporter, December 25, 1975.