Society Outings 2017

A Guided Walk around Worcester

On Saturday 6^th August a group of 19 Society members and guests met at the 'Slug & Lettuce' in Worcester ready for a tour of the City guided by the excellent Tim Bridges. This venue (once the Church of St Nicholas built in the 18^th century on the site of a much older church) retains, midst the trappings of a restaurant, Victorian galleries and pulpit as well as the original Georgian reredos. Tim described the history of Worcester since Roman times before we set out for our 5 hour walk with, naturally, a well deserved break for lunch. As we meandered the city streets, following a well organised strategy, we learned much of the architecture and history of a variety of thought-provoking properties. Gradually, we worked our way southwards to Britannia Square in the newer suburbs of the early 19^th century, before working our way back to Sansome Walk to finish the expedition at the Catholic church of St George.

An interesting point of interest emerged early in the walk. The public house on the opposite side of the road to the end of Friar Street, now known as the 'Hand in Glove', was once the 'White Hart' which collapsed suddenly in the 1950s. There were unfortunate fatalities and the incident was used as an excuse - on the grounds of safety - for later razing many properties of distinctive heritage in the locality.

Assembly Rooms in the Shirehall, Worcester — Tim Bridges talking to the group about the exquisite Italianate style Assembly Rooms in Shirehall. Shortly before this we had visited the basement cells once used to hold prisoners awaiting appearances in court.

William Forsyth's frieze depicting hop pickers located in theSansome Street, Worcester — Near the Hop Market in Sansome Street stands this former hop merchant's shop adorned by William Forsyth's wonderfully sculpted frieze depicting hop pickers.

Forgate Street, Worcester — Tim explaining the history and architecture in this part of Foregate Street. It is said that in Georgian times Foregate street, in the style of the Mall in London, was the most elegant thoroughfare in Europe!

Outings in 2015

Abberley Hall

On Saturday 23^rd May members of the Society visited Abberley Hall where they were able to hear a talk on the history of the property by Jo Roche followed by a tour of the premises and the opportunity to climb to the top of the famous clock tower from which extensive views of the surrounding countryside can be enjoyed.

PerryCroft

Saturday 13^thJune saw members travelling by coach to Leominster where they were able to tour the folk museum, historic Grange Court and the Priory. The afternoon was spent at Perrycroft the Charles Voysey designed country house which stands in its own grounds on the Malvern Hills. The owner, Dr Mark Archer, led a tour of the property and afterwards members were free to enjoy the gardens and grounds.

Outings in 2014

Visit to the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham

14^th June 2014

The subject of the Society's Presidential Lecture this year was the buildings of the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham and their part in its history. This interested the society members so much that the President Simon Buteux who is now Director of the Birmingham Preservation trust agreed to give a guided tour of the area. Consequently members met at Kidderminster Station on Saturday 14^th June and travelled by train to the Jewellery Quarter Station from where they toured the whole area seeing the premises of old established jewellery manufacturers, buildings undergoing restoration and having the option to visit the Jewellery Quarter Museum. This was the second visit to this general area by the Society as a few months previously there had been a trip to the Coffin Works to see those historic premises before restoration commenced.

The group views Victoria Works built in 1839-40 — The above photograph shows the group viewing the Victoria Works built in 1839-40 for Joseph Gillot who manufactured pen nibs.

Anniversary of the Declaration of War in 1914

2^nd August 2014

Chris Piper and Jenni Roberts' Garden Party

To mark the publication of the forthcoming book about Kidderminster in World War One Committee Members of the Society Chris Piper and Jenni Roberts organised a garden party on the eve of the 100^th anniversary of the declaration of war demonstrating how life was before it changed for ever. Members of the Society attending wore dress of the period and were entertained by members of the cast of the Rose Theatre's recent production of "Oh What a Lovely war".