A PLAN to have a plaque erected to commemorate the city’s links with its Jewish history has won the backing of dignitaries.

During the Middle Ages, the city had a small Jewish community and Worcester played host to a national gathering of England’s leading Jews in 1241 before Jews were driven out of the city.

Mark Jones, 55, from Malvern, is calling for a plaque to be erected as a memorial to the medieval Jews of Worcester.

He said: “When we look back on the past, we can all the possibilities and learn from it. I believe that a plaque of this nature would be an act of atonement and help remind successive generations that we can learn from past human wrongs and resolve to be better people.”

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The Bishop of Worcester, the Right Reverend Dr John Inge said: “I should be pleased to support a memorial to the medieval Jews of Worcester who were persecuted and driven out. I hope it might encourage tolerance and togetherness today.

"Worcester Cathedral library contains many records of the substantial Jewish community of Worcester in the Middle Ages, and the tomb of King John – who issued many ‘charters’ which today we would regard as anti-Semitic. We need to learn from our history and guard against the persecution of any minority, religious or otherwise in our own day.”

Historically, Jewish people lived in today's Copenhagen Street. Worcester was one of 26 Jewish centres to have an archa, or official document store for Jewish records.

“I fully support this campaign, and look forward to finding out more about the proposals in due course,” said Cllr Jo Hodges, Mayor of Worcester.