100 years ago.

There was a large crowd at Jamaica Meadow, in Church Road, Malvern Link, yesterday afternoon, when Mr Gustav Hamel, the famous aviator, at last put in an appearance after previous disappointments. Although the time for the flight was fixed at 3pm, he came over from the direction of Worcester at 1.30 and circling the field at a fair height round Malvern, he dropped in the field. At about 3.30, he rose in his machine, which was a monoplane, and performed some graceful evolutions, looping the loop several times. He then descended and took passengers for trial flights. The first to ascend was Mr Colville Stewart of Tomatoland, and he was taken by Mr Hamel over the Barnards Green district and had the opportunity of seeing Tomatoland from aloft. After this he performed other evolutions, and after a stay in the district of about two hours, he rose and sailed rapidly away in the direction of Worcester.

Malvern Gazette, February 27, 1914.

50 years ago.

"The hereditary system which bestows privileges merely by birth is indefensible and is a complete contradiction of our Socialist principles" was how a member of Worcester Young Socialists opened a discussion with the Malvern group on "The Royal Family" at a meeting in Malvern. To the argument that the Queen is a state figurehead, it could be said that the American figurehead was democratically elected, and the same should apply in Britain. It was however generally agreed by the meeting that for Britain to have as a figurehead a King or Queen was a good thing, and should not he altered. But the system should not be accompanied by all the pomp and pageantry as at present - there being no place for this in the 20th century. The Young Socialists agree that all the Dukes, Lords and Barons were unnecessary and, along with the house of Lords, should be dispensed with.

Malvern Gazette, February 28, 1964.

25 years ago.

A rare collection of 16th century murals has been discovered by a workman renovating wall at Ledbury Town Council's offices in Church Lane. And a top conservationist is saying that they should be kept and restored. Mr Jan Keevil, chief restorer for the government-funded English Heritage, said this week that the murals were a very fine example of Elizabethan home decoration, and that English Heritage would be very keen to see them preserved. He estimated the cost at around £15,000. "You don't often get much of this type of domestic decoration, and we have got almost a complete room here." Mr Keevil travelled from London to view the exciting find after workman Colin Fisher recognised the 16th century work of itinerant Elizabethan decorators beneath layers of old wallpaper he was stripping from the wall. "I knew at once I had stumbled onto something quite special," said Mr Fisher.

Malvern Gazette, March 3, 1989.