100 years ago.

There seems every probability that West Malvern will be able to have a supply of electricity in the near future, if the suggestion made by Sir Henry Grey to the West Malvern representatives bears any fruit. Sir Henry Grey has all along agreed with Mr Foster's contention that West Malvern has a moral right to the electric cable being laid in the ward, but the proviso that there should be a guarantee of 20 per cent given by consumers towards the initial cost has hitherto proved an insuperable barrier, because there could not be found enough people to tale the light on those terms. However, Sir Henry Grey has suggested to Mr Foster that if he and his West Malvern colleagues can present to the Council sufficient evidence that the consumption of electricity is likely to be a paying one, the council could be able to waive the clause.

Malvern Gazette, May 8, 1914.

50 years ago.

Malvern's well-equipped famous theatre is again the centre of controversy. At a time when Kidderminster has decided to help buy the Playhouse Theatre so that it may continue, and other authorities are building new theatres, Malvern Council is being recommended not to oppose the grant of a 14-years' lease (with rent and terms still to be agreed) to the present lessee. The Winter Gardens and Publicity Committee thinks the financial commitment would be unwise, even though the festival's broadly-based committee have submitted a broadly-based proposal to set up a trust which would administer in co-operation with the council, a People's Theatre. 'To take or not to take', that is the question Malvern Urban Council will have to decide. Negotiations have been going on behind the scenes for a long time, but these seem to have reached deadlock.

Malvern Gazette, May 1, 1964.

25 years ago.

A sports centre next to the proposed supermarket on sports pitches at Spring Lane, Malvern Link, has been revealed as the eventual aim of Malvern Hills District councillors. As opposition mounted to last week's announcement that the council is considering selling off part of Malvern Rugby Club ground for development, members of the leisure services working party met on Tuesday to discuss their reaction to the plan. And they have recommended to next week's tourism and leisure committee that the Rugby Club ground be disposed of - subject to building a sports centre on the rest of the land. Council secretary/solicitor Paul Graham said after the meeting: "The supermarket proposal is for only half the site, and we wouldn't expect facilities less than those being provided at Bromyard, which include a four-badminton-court-size hall costing £455,000 Malvern Gazette, May 12, 1989.