100 years ago.

There are many in Malvern who remember Dr W T Fernie, who will regret to learn of his death, which took place at his residence, 4 Pembroke Villas, Richmond Green, Surrey, at the advanced age of 84. Many years ago, he had a practice at Hursley, near Winchester, and enjoyed the friendship of Keble and Miss Young, the novelist. Dr J Manby Gully, father of the late Speaker of the House of Commons, who was a famous Malvern physician when the town had reached the zenith of its fame as a hydropathic centre, took deceased into partnership, and after Dr Gully retired, Mr Fernie continued the practice. He evinced a great knowledge of local affairs, and was for a period Chairman of the Assembly Rooms Committee. After leaving Malvern, he went to reside at Richmond, but he often paid periodical visits here. As a writer on medical subjects, Dr Fernie had gained a considerable reputation, one of his latest books being Health to Date.

Malvern Gazette, November 20, 1914.

50 years ago.

Malvern is to have a five-day shopping week, coming into effect on February 1, when, instead of the normal half-day closing, Wednesdays in Great Malvern, and Thursdays in Malvern Link, Great Malvern and Barnards Green, shops will close all day on Monday. The decision by traders who belong to Malvern Chamber of Commerce was taken at a meeting on Monday when it was found that a substantial majority were in favour of the change. Some traders, such as tobacconists, newsagents and chemists, are exempted. Traders, it was hoped, will remain open longer on Fridays, until 7pm. As there is no official order fixing half-days in the locality, no cumbersome legal alterations or delay will occur in implementing the decision. The council of the Chamber has for some reason been considering a change, following similar ones in other part of the country, and at Monday's meeting at the Abbey Hotel, presided over by the president Mr E W Willard, there was a good attendance.

Malvern Gazette, November 20, 1964.

25 years ago.

Christmas lights will soon be going up in Malvern as traders have dipped into their pockets to pay the extra money needed by Malvern Chamber of Commerce. Mr Clive Fox, chamber of commerce president, said: "We have been given a grant by Malvern Hills District Council towards the lights, but the estimates were more than the grant. We have collected about 80 per cent of the donations from traders, and we still need about £1,800 from 50 or 60 shops in Great Malvern. New lights have been purchased and will be going up in Malvern Link and Barnards Green, and if there is a small shortfall, the chamber of commerce will cover it. We have now collected enough to go ahead and the Midlands Electricity Board will collect the lights from the council and will start putting them up later this week, although they might not appear until later this week." The chamber is also encouraging traders to use their skills and ingenuity to put together a competition-winning window.

Malvern Gazette, November 24, 1989.