100 years ago.

The proposed diversion of the footpath at Tomatoland, where a rapidly growing and important industry is carried on, which was adjourned from the previous meeting to enable the Streets Committee to inspect the spot, was again considered, and the council unanimously acceded to the application of the proprietor, Mr Colville Stuart, subject to specified conditions being complied with. The matter will now go to quarter sessions, where an order for the deviation of the footpath will be sought. That it will be granted almost follows as a matter of course, as it has clearly been demonstrated the the suggested diversion will cause no public inconvenience. On the contrary , it will be a distinct improvement as the proprietor of Tomatoland by giving up a portion of his ground will enable the council to round off a corner of Pickersleigh Road which has hitherto been a source of danger to the public.

Malvern Gazette, May 29, 1914.

50 years ago.

Though the Malvern Hills are thought to be the oldest bin Europe, they have never been the scene of any major archaeological excavations. Very little is known about the inhabitants who lived on them and of the forts used by these people. Feeling that archaeological excavations would yield much evidence, the Conservators have decided to go ahead with a long-term scheme. The 19-acre site which has been chosen is the Iron Age hill fort on Midsummer-Hollybush Hill. Permission to dig has been obtained from the Eastnor Castle Estates Company, the National Trust, and the Ministry of Works. Some of the Conservators' own land also extends to the centre of one of the defensive ditches. As the Conservators derive their income solely from rate levies, archaeology cannot fairly be financed by a further precept . A minimum of £3,000 will be required and the Conservat0rs are inviting donations.

Malvern Gazette, May 29, 1964.

25 years ago.

A third possible supermarket site has been identified in Malvern Link by a company which is proposing to submit a planning application within the next fortnight. Malvern Hills District Council is already in negotiation with one company for the sale of the Spring Lane playing fields, and earlier this year offered its old depot in Lower Howsell Road on the market - both for possible supermarket development. Maple Grove Developments of Preston this week revealed plans for a 42,000 Safeway store on the main Worcester Road approach into Malvern Link, on land currently occupied by SB and DG Services, Brookhire, Malvern Caravans and the county highways depot. They say the three-ace site, for which they have been in negotiation for a considerable time, is "the only logical clear site for the development". Safeway is keen to come to Malvern, following supermarket development in Hereford.

Malvern Gazette, June 2, 1989.