THE local effects of a gale that swept the country a century ago was reported in the Malvern News.

Reaching Malvern early on the Saturday, it "raged with considerable violence, doing much damage of a minor character.

"A number of buildings were unroofed and greenhouses suffered severely. Mr Jason Woodyatt's stabling, at Barnard's Green, suffered from the fury of the gale; and garden fences were levelled in all directions.

"Spouting was wrenched from the Primitive Methodist Chapel, Newtown, smashing the window of the adjoining business premises occupied by Mr J B Burston.

"The road at Lower Howsell was flooded, carts having to be requisitioned to convey pedestrians.

"Several trees were blown down and the engine-house on the Wells Common was wrecked. Considerable damage was done to the railway station and signal boxes."

Also reported in the News was the Malvern Hospital Ball, described as "a brilliant scene".

"This fashionable function took place on Tuesday, when about 200 ladies and gentlemen were present."

The paper paid close attention to the decoration of the Assembly Rooms (forerunner of the Winter Gardens), where the event was held, describing how it had been "completely transformed" with a "rural scene" on the stage and the walls bedecked with flowers.

It was noted that this was the first ball ever held in aid of the town's Rural Hospital, and that the sale of tickets had been interfered with by the General Election which had just been declared, but that the event was still a success.