100 years ago.

Should the spirit of progress lead the Council to seek a Charter of Incorporation, and the wisdom of the Privy Council induced them to grant the prayer of their petitioners, it is not inconceivable that Malvern might aspire to match its dignity as a Borough by possessing a Town Hall. The conversion of the existing premises does not impress one as a promising possibility. We do not know that they would present an appearance any more important under that title, Certainly, the room now styled the Council Chamber - which is also the Committee Room, and an office, we believe, on other occasions - has neither the dimensions nor the handsome character appropriate to the exalted office of his Worship the Mayor, to say nothing of the Aldermen and Councillors Of Course, if we had a Town Hall, we should also have a reasonably imposing Council Chamber, and very likely a committee room, so the members would not have to continue to lounge on the steps outside while their colleagues did committee work in the Chamber prior to the meeting.

Malvern Gazette, January 8, 1915.

50 years ago.

Last year was the second driest since records were commenced in Malvern, some 70 years ago. During the year, 19.22 inches of rain fell, compared with the average of 29.94 inches, that is only 64 per cent. All months except march and June were drier than usual and the driest month of all was April with only 1.06 inches of rain. On only one occasion has there been a lower annual rainfall, during the drought year of 1921, and the rainfall then recorded was 18.5in., which is very little below the 1964 rainfall. This phenomenally dry year is affecting many water supply authorities, some of which have already had to impose rationing, although, fortunately, this is not yet the case in Malvern. Unless the late Winter and Spring are rainier, there is every prospect that there will be a widespread water shortage and that Malvern, in common with other water supply authorities, will be in difficulties. Strangely enough,. the sunshine hours were considerably less than average, being 1,347.3 hours compared with the average of 1,479.6 hours.

Malvern Gazette, January 8, 1965.

25 years ago.

In the 16 years since he entered Parliament, South Worcestershire MP Michael Spicer had already held three ministerial posts before he learned last week of his new job at the Department of the Environment. Mr Spicer's move to Environment follows in the wake of Sir Norman Fowler's unexpected resignation, but in Mr Spicer's experience, there are few things as sudden as a change of ministerial responsibility. "One can be telephoned in the office where one has been for the last three years and a very short time later be in a totally different job, handling completely different issues. I can't think of many jobs where this happens so suddenly," he said. As things worked out, the Prime Minister's staff contacted Mr Spicer this time at his home at Cropthorne, near Pershore. "I was called by Downing Street at 8 o'clock on the morning and I caught the next train to London. A car picked me up and took me to Downing Street," he said.

Malvern Gazette, January 12, 1990.