THIS WEEK IN 1991:

DEMOLITION work on the outdated Wates flats at Dines Green, Worcester, finally started this week. A big crowd of local people, including former residents of the 48 concrete flats in Tudor Way, cheered as the demolition ball swung into action. The flats are to be replaced by a development creating 50 new homes for sale and rent.

􀁥 The city council has approved a new Environmental Charter for Worcester and is committing itself “to promote the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources and to minimise environmental pollution in all of its own activities and through its influence over others.” The Mayor, councillor Ray Turner said it had taken groups like the Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace to wake up Government and local authorities to the need for such charters.

THIS WEEK IN 1981:

ST Mary’s Church in Sansome Walk, Worcester, is now being advertised for sale nationally and locally in a last-ditch bid to save it from demolition. It has been formally declared “redundant” by the Church Commissioners who now have the legal right to pull it down. Even so, the commissioners are anxious to see it spared and used for some alternative purpose.

This is why they have asked agents to try and sell it by nationwide advertising. City councillors are extremely anxious to see St Mary’s retained for some alternative purpose as it forms a key part of Worcester’s townscape and skyline.

Deputy city architect John Pountney points out that numerous redundant churches up and down the country have been put to alternative uses such as exhibition halls, heritage centres, housing or sporting and social units.

THIS WEEK IN 1971:

FROM the Crowquill column of Berrow’s Worcester Journal: “Dear British Rail, I am very sorry to have to tell you that we have reached a parting of the ways. For years I have used you for short and long journeys because I have found you cheaper and more comfortable than going by car. But now you have put up your charges to an impossible extent and I have a smaller, less thirsty car.

Mind you, I don’t pretend I shan’t miss you. I shall miss sinking into your dusty seats and the faint aroma of diesel and uncontrollable heating that puts one to sleep. Of course, you did some silly things. The worst was to close village stations, and to add insult to injury you charged the villagers who motored to the nearest live station a fee to park their cars in your yard.”

THIS WEEK IN 1961:

AVIATION Minister Peter Thorneycroft is making another effort to obtain permission to remove the spire of St Edburga’s Church, Abberton, on the grounds that it is in the centre of the approach to the main runway of Pershore airfield. He is appealing to the Court of Arches, sitting at the Church of St Mary-le-Bow, London, against the rejection of his petition last September by the Worcester Consistory Court.

Peter Boydell, chancellor of the Worcester Diocese, who presided at the consistory court, considered that the danger posed by the spire was not great enough to justify its removal from a living church. However, Mr Thorneycroft claims the spire is a definite danger to RAF V bombers using the airfield and often carrying highly secret equipment.

The ideal minimum for the angle of descent was one in 100 but the spire cut down the approach to only one in 44.