A COLD snap, during which two to three inches of snow fell, was noted in the Malvern News 100 years ago, "and as it was accompanied by frost, traffic was rendered difficult and dangerous".

"A motor mishap, which fortunately had not a very serious ending, occurred in Church Street during the forenoon. Dr Brockatt's motor brougham was being driven up the street at about half-past eleven, and had reached the Post Office when the wheels began to slip.

"The powerful brakes were at once applied, and acted perfectly, the wheels being locked, but by its own weight the brougham was forced down the street backwards and quickly attained considerable momentum.

"The chauffeur kept cool, and as the car neared the crossing at the bottom, an effort was made to turn it in the direction of the Assembly Rooms.

"The efforts failed, partly owing to the presence of a lorry opposite the Exchange buildings, and the speed which the car had by now attained caused it to skid across the road, where it collided with the electrical transformer outside Mr Davis's shop.

"The transformer was smashed as was the gas lamp which stood near, but the car was but very slightly damaged, and neither Dr Brockatt nor the driver suffered any injury."

The power running through the transformer was quickly turned off. The town's electrical engineer, W J R Baker, worked through the day to repair it, and power was restored to the town by 5pm.