A WIDOW who scattered her husband's ashes at New Road and honoured him with an engraved brick in the cricket ground's wall is worried about the fate of the memorial at the flood-prone club.
The future of Worcestershire County Cricket Club in New Road is uncertain because of repeated incidents of flooding.
This has led a widow from Worcester to wonder about the future of a memorial wall at the iconic ground which was her way of paying tribute to her late husband who loved the sport.
Worcestershire County Cricket Club has already revealed that the continuous flooding of New Road has created a "real issue" regarding the club's sustainability.
New Road spends much of the winter months underwater due to the flooding of the River Severn.
The Board of Worcestershire County Cricket Club said it is now exploring every option, including a move from its current New Road location.
Lorraine James lost her husband Bryan John James, known as John, 18 years ago when he was just 53.
His ashes were scattered at the famous ground and a brick in the memorial wall formed part of a tribute to him.
The engraved brick, one of many, is in place on the Worcestershire Way which runs parallel to New Road itself and leads up to the entrance of The View.
Mrs James, 78, of James Close, Worcester, ran pubs together with her husband including the Northwick Arms, the Potters Wheel and the Garibaldi. Mr James was a Welshman who made Worcester his home.
Mrs James said: "Cricket was his favourite sport. He was passionate about it. He used to bring his dad down in his wheelchair to watch it.
"I'm concerned about what will happen to the wall of remembrance. I expect other people want to know what is going to happen to it.
"The wall gives a lot of comfort.
"I would go and speak to him there. I just want some answers."
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Mrs James paid for the memorial brick, inscribed with her late husband's name, about six months after his death. His sister, Jenny, and her daughter had also been to see it.
She said every time it flooded at New Road she pictured her late husband's ashes spreading out over the cricket ground which gave her comfort as he became, quite literally, a part of the club he loved so much.
A statement by Worcestershire County Cricket Club read: "Given the recent unprecedented record volume of flooding at New Road and the increasing regularity of flooding, the Board of Worcestershire County Cricket Club understands the very real issues regarding the sustainability of the club.
"As a board, we will make it our key priority to explore every option, including a move from New Road, over the next few months so we can provide the membership and key stakeholders with a plan.
"This is to ensure the long-term future of Worcestershire County Cricket Club."
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