100 years ago.

It is time that Christmas and sensitive people were protected against the carol singer. The vicar of somewhere or other has been saying something to that effect. The vicar of any parish in the Malverns might say as much with equal earnestness. There are still, happily, one or two choirs who set out on the eve of Christmas to sing carols as they should be sung, but generally speaking carol-singing has become a wretched business, pursued by mercenary school children, who mumble offensively in the cold. For reverence they have no regard, and chiefly their performances are positively wicked burlesques. Anyhow, this kind of juvenile street trading ought to be regulated with the other kinds. In the meantime, a word or two in the elementary schools might be of use.

Malvern Gazette, December 19, 1913.

50 years ago.

Upton-on-Severn Rural District Council on Tuesday decided to press for a pedestrian subway under the main Worcester to Malvern road at Powick Hospital junction. Chairman of the council, Mr Ernest Batty, said he was worried about this particular stretch of road because when improvements were completed, it would be a very fast road. “It is a very fast road now, but it’s nothing like what it’s going to be,” he said. Mr E W Baird said that the villagers of Powick were sending a protest about the traffic conditions at this bad accident spot to their MP, Sir Peter Agnew. Major N J Smyth said there had been an accident at the stop one or two nights previously. “We have had four in the last month ether,” said Mr Baird. Mr C G Carswell agreed to put forward the council’s request for a subway.

Malvern Gazette, December 20, 1963.

25 years ago.

Tinsel, glittering baubles, fairy lights, mince pies and sherry, Christmas trees... Malvern’s Community Hospital has been transformed into a Christmas winter wonderland, thanks to the generous people of the town. Open for the first time in six years over Christmas, with some 20 patients who will not be allowed home, the hospital appealed for Christmas decorations and traditional treats. The response has been overwhelming. Children, adults, groups, companies and old-age pensioners have rallied to cheer up Christmas for those who have that greatest of ill-fortune - bad health. If gifts continue to arrive at the pace set last week, the entire hospital will be transformed into a fairy grotto. “It’s absolutely wonderful,” said manager Gary Thomas. “All sorts of people are coming in with Christmas goodies.”

Malvern Gazette, December 23, 1988.