MEMBERS of our We grew up in Worcester page on Facebook have been exchanging memories of one of the city’s more eccentric characters – the late Chicken George.

And a search through our archives showed that, by complete coincidence, it was on this day 14 years ago that we reported the death of George Webb at the age of 85.

Worcester News journalist Mike Nolan wrote of George’s passing at St Cloud’s Nursing Home in Callow End, the previous week.

Mike wrote: “For about half a century Chicken George became synonymous with Worcester, dancing along to the music of street buskers, much to the amusement of the general public.

Read more: Readers share their photographic memories

“No one knows how the nickname Chicken George came about but common rumour is that his erratic dancing reminded people of a pecking chicken.

“So well-known was he that artists even included him in paintings when capturing Worcester street life.

“Although many buskers were not fazed by his particularly quirky sense of rhythm being a backdrop to their music, there were occasions when he found himself involved in physical encounters with some artists who didn’t see the funny side.

“Also, much to the anger of some, he would often litter the air with profanities as he went about his day.

“In an interview with the Worcester News in 2002, by then confined to a buggy with leg trouble, he admitted he had a fascination with street musicians.

“He said: ‘I love their music. It makes me want to dance.’

Worcester News:

CENTRE OF ATTENTION: Chicken George. Picture posted by Richard Deal in We grew up in Worcester Facebook page

“Chicken George was fiercely patriotic and claimed to have fought in the war at Dunkirk and killed a man in armed combat fighting for the Worcestershire regiment. “He recounted: ‘I got a bayonet wound in me ‘ead from Dunkirk – but I got im.

“‘I lived and ee didn’t. It’s because I got that strong constitution, see.

“’I never give in and won’t back off. I’m the one as keeps on gooing’. It’s just a crafty little way I got.’”

Reader Darren Mears’ question as to who remembered George prompted many responses.

Margaret Evans and Carol McFarlane both remember him – “a real character”, while Tara Sargent said: “It was lovely to watch him dancing in the town”.

Tricia Saunders said: “What a lovely character and he even continued his lovely moves to the buskers when he had to resort to his wheelchair. RIP George.”

Gary Hudson said: “A real character, always dancing in the town centre with a big smile.”

And Martin Coleman recalled: “He was always dancing in front of the carnivals as he was the number one dancer.”

Christine Baker added: “Remember him well dancing in high street and if he felt like it he would hit you with his stick LOL.”

Rosemarie Sutton said: “Worcester people of a certain age will certainly remember him, who could forget him?”

Lin Kirkwood certainly couldn’t: “Scared the c*** out of me when I was little!”

Why not find the We grew up in Worcester page on Facebook and join the conversation there? You’ll find so much to share and talk about.