"ARE we to have a repetition of the fires which played such havoc on the western side of the hills in the autumn of 1906?" wondered columnist Ariel in the Gazette 100 years ago.

"Only last week, two broke out, one near the British Camp and the other in Sanders' valley on the Wells Hills, the latter destroying, according to the estimate of the Haywarden, no less than six acres of gorse.

"On Monday evening last, just as darkness set in, a third occured on the North Hill, just above the Redan. The conflagration, which could be seen miles away, lasted for a considerable time, and it would have been of longer duration had not a heavy downpour set in and effectively extinguished the flames. There also, a large portion of the hills presents a black andiuninviting appearance.

"It will be remembered that in the fall of 1906, the ferns and gorse on the western side of the hills, from above the Redan to the Dingle, was completely destroyed by the fires which then took place, and it is only now that the slope is recovering its natural appearance. On that occasion so serious and frequent were the conflagrations that the Conservators offered a substantial sum as a reward for information that would lead to the conviction of those who were supposed to create them. But despite the liberal offer, and the fact that policemen in plain clothes patrolled the hills at night, no clue was obtained, and the problem of how the fires originated has never been solved until this day.

"Much as this particular form of spoilation must be regretted at any period, it must be doubly so at the present time. The season in Malvern is just beginning and the hills are now assuming thier brightest and most pleasing garb. Visitors to the town regard them as our chief natural attraction, and walks and drives around the hills are amongst our favourite pastime.

"But if instead of finding the turf and gorse bright and green, they discover huge stretches of the range a black and uninviting festival, strangers are likely to form a very unfavourable impression of Malvern, and an adverse impression of the place will soon extend over a very wide radius."