A REPORT of an auction in the Malvern Gazette 100 years ago this week gives us a look at the state of property prices in 1912.

The auction was held at the Beauchamp Hotel in Graham Road, now the Great Malvern, and conducted by Messrs J R Harper and Sons.

"There was a good attendance and bidding was brisk," reported the Gazette. "The freehold residences, Coniston and Grassmere, Blackmore Road, were withdrawn; a plot of freehold building land in Queen's Road was sold for £40; a pair of cottages in Newtown Road, known as Clematis Cottage and Farm Cottage, were secured for £300, a plot of building land in Newtown Road fetched £40, and Lynmouth and Lynton, a pair of semi-detached freehold houses in Newtown Road £350.

"Half Key Farm realised £750, the purchaser being Mr S Moore, Rocklands, Cowleigh Road; and a piece of freehold land at Half Key was disposed of privately.

"Shamrock Mount, Somers Road, was bought for £450, and 3 and 4 Albert Park Villas, Albert Park Road, changed hands at £465."

Elsewhere the Gazette reported that the Whit holiday was a success, in contrast to Easter, which had been hit by a double whammy of gales on the bank holiday and a coal strike that brought train transport to a halt.

"But at Whitsuntide all was changed for the better. The weather smiled upon us, the railway system had so far resumed its normal conditions as to make a large influx of visitors not only a possibility but an actual fact.

"The town was full of them; here, there and everywhere one came across them, and they appeared to be enjoying themselves immensely."