100 years ago.

The great question of a clock for the Link, which has been allowed to remain in abeyance for a considerable time, was again resuscitated. That the need for a public clock is as great as ever it was cannot be denied. The form of clock which finds most favour is one similar to that on the Corn Exchange at Rochester, of which Charles Dickens wrote that Father Time carried out business there, and had accordingly put out his sign. The type we refer to is similar to the one in Worcester Road, Great Malvern, with the faces projecting out into the street. But there are obvious difficulties in the way of obtaining a clock of this type for Malvern Link, the chief one being suitability of site. This indeed is the crux of the whole matter, and is a point on which opinion is sharply divided. However, there is a possibility that matters may be so arranged as to see Malvern Link in possession of a public clock before very long.

Malvern Gazette, March 27, 1914.

50 years ago.

It is ten years since Mr Archie Ballard of Colwall made an offer to the Malvern Hills Conservators to take over and do up the Beacon Cafe. His offer was accepted and he rebuilt the space at his own expense, laying on water, power and sewerage. On Good Friday morning the cafe will re-open, for the start of its 11th year under Mr Ballard and Mr Charles Green, the manager, will dispense the customary hot cross buns and coffee to callers. During the past decade it has been become widely known as 'the cafe with a view over 14 counties' and it has established itself as a place that must be visited because of its unique setting on top of the Malvern Hills. Mr Green says it can also claim to be thoroughly cosmopolitan; people from almost every country have called there. He is frequently asked to sign their autograph books and also copies of the menu which they take away with them, and he is often pressed to join group photographs.

Malvern Gazette, March 27, 1964.

25 years ago.

The Easter sunshine brought bumper crowds to the Malvern Hills at the weekend, when hotels and restaurants were reported to be fully booked, and car parks on the hills were full to overflowing. Malvern Hills ranger Mr John Parsons said it was one of the busiest Easter weekends for years and it was the number of cars that caused a problem. "There were times when Jubilee Drive was virtually impassable because of cars parked on both sides," he said. "We have asked the police to put out cones in the past." Over 1,000 people visited the Malvern Tourst Information Centre. One hills walker was quick to point out that although the toilet block close to the site of the Beacon Cafe gutted by fire in January was still in existence, it was locked. Mr Parsons explained that the toilets were linked to the cafe for their water supply, and so could not be open.

Malvern Gazette, March 31, 1989.