THIS WEEK IN 1960:

A CHIMNEY, struck by lightning at 3 Ashley Road, Bath Road, Worcester, caused more than £200 worth of damage when it crashed down on the house on Wednesday night. The house, just completed, is part of a new private estate being built by AN Alexander. The incident means that Arthur Watson, who has a confectionery shop at 87 Sidbury, Worcester, was unable to move into the house yesterday as planned. A spokesman for Alexander’s said repairs will take at least a week.

● The spire of Abberton Church, near Pershore, may have to be sacrificed for the sake of aircraft safety with take-offs and landings at the nearby airfield. It has been threatened for some time. A notice has been published on the church door forecasting the demolition and pointing out that it will be necessary to fix a beacon light to the tower when the spire is down. Parishioners and other interested parties are given 15 days in which to lodge objections to the spire’s removal.

THIS WEEK IN 1970:

THE three-year prison sentences handed out to the Birmingham youths who, with pick-axe handles and other weapons, launched an attack on customers in a Worcester pub, have had the desired effect among young people throughout the West Mercia area. Detective Chief Superintendent Robert Booth told a press conference that in the months since the sentencing there had been no affrays – such as the one at Worcester last October – throughout the counties of Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire. Apart from disturbances, however, crimes of violence had increased during the first half of the year. There were 225 offences against the person – 203 of them detected – an increase of 30 over the same period last year.

● County Hall is urging bus companies to consider introducing mini buses on rural routes in Worcestershire and Herefordshire. A statement said: “On rural routes where the passenger load is light, mini buses might well be the answer, particularly in these days of uneconomic bus services and rising fares.”

THIS WEEK IN 1980:

ABOUT 7.500 children under five living in the County of Hereford and Worcester will lose their chance of early schooling from next January. The economy axe is falling on all “rising fives”

schooling, except in a few small schools. “Rising fives”

schooling was temporarily restored last September after widespread parental pressure, but the county council narrowly decided it must be scrapped again.

● The first ever Worcester Motor Show is a day not to be missed. There will be many vehicle displays and other attractions for all the family, starting at noon on Sunday at Worcester Rugby Club’s ground at Sixways, Warndon. The Sixty and Worcestershire Motor Club will have cars on display as will drag racing clubs, and music will be provided by the Chase Brass Band.

THIS WEEK IN 1990:

HARD work in raising £158,000 for a new young persons’ leisure club in Perdiswell Park, Worcester, comes to fruition on Friday with an official opening and the release of 1,000 balloons by more than 300 children.

The opening, sponsored by Berrow’s Worcester Journal and the Worcester Evening News, marks a new era for the Perdiswell Young People’s Leisure Club after 14 years catering for children of all ages from surrounding estates, many who are disadvantaged.