THIS WEEK IN 1961:

WORK has started on the relaying and strengthening of the floor of the upstairs Assembly Room of Worcester Guildhall. It was declared unsafe some months ago and could not be used for dinners and dances. The last time work to the oak planks and joists was carried out was during the Guildhall restoration of 1877-80. The present task should be completed by the middle of October. By then, the main supporting beams will have been reinforced with steel and a new maple-wood dance floor laid.

􀁥 Worcester City Council is being urged by two of its leading members to “cut its losses and get out of the cattle market”. At Tuesday’s meeting, aldermen William Bird and WR Daniel argued against the council spending at least £250,000 to improve the market site in The Butts only for a rapidly diminishing number of farmers. After hearing their pleas, the council voted to refer back the scheme for further consideration and much modification.

THIS WEEK IN 1971:

THE 200th anniversary of Worcester Royal Infirmary at Castle Street has been celebrated with a major service at the cathedral followed by an official reception at the Guildhall for civic heads and members and officers of the South Worcestershire Hospital Management Committee. A wine and cheese party was also held for the hospital staff.

􀁥 Worcestershire CCC’s achievement this year in winning the John Player Sunday League is to be recognised by a civic reception at the Guildhall on October 12 for the players and their wives and club officials. The Mayor, Alderman Jack Blackman said: “On behalf of the citizens of Worcester and the county, I want to extend heartfelt congratulations to the club and its excellent players on this year’s great success.”

THIS WEEK IN 1981:

TWO of Worcester’s leading engineering companies are to celebrate their centenaries with a march through the city centre this autumn. The event marks the founding 100 years ago of Heenan and Froude which in 1974 split into two separate companies – Froude Engineering, now at Gregory’s Bank, and Heenan Drives which moved to a new factory at Blackpole last year. The two companies employ a total of 600 people and are members of the Redman Heenan International Group. The main event of the day of celebrations on October 9 will be the march of management and employees from the Guildhall to Gregory’s Bank. The procession will be led by the Band of the Cheshire Regiment, Worcester’s Mayor, Councillor Mike Layland and the Lord Lieutenant of Hereford and Worcester, Capt Thomas Dunne.

THIS WEEK IN 1991:

WORCESTER’S events next year marking the 350th anniversary of the start of the English Civil War should be used as an opportunity to maximise tourism to the city, say city councillors. The first skirmish of the civil war in 1642 was an encounter at Powick Bridge between Royalist and Parliamentary troops. Councillors firmly believe that the anniversary offers a unique chance for Worcester to exploit its tourist potential.

􀁥 Almost a third of a million people visited Worcester Cathedral last year to put it among the top 20 of free visitor attractions in Britain. Top of the tree was London’s Westminster Abbey with three million visitors. Worcester Cathedral finished in 15th place.