Worcester: Shrub Hill Engine Works in big 1882 exhibition

How about a show of local talent to impress?

How about another Great Exhibition like the one they had in 1882?

Local historian Will Edmonds explained: “The Great Exhibition of 1851 in London had brought Britain and its Empire international prestige, recognition and attention. So Worcester’s leading citizens wondered whether something similar could do that for the city.

“In January 1882 a committee was formed with the aim of setting up an exhibition in Worcester and the empty Shrub Hill Engine Works was chosen as the venue.

"Thanks to an official catalogue printed especially, we know the exhibition showcased more than 600 pieces of art, historical manuscripts, industrial items and ‘machines in motion’ from all over the county.

“At the close of the exhibition the number of visitors were recorded to be over 200,000 and an approximate profit of £1,500 was taken in. The exhibition was hailed as a success with some of the profits going towards establishing the Victoria Institute on Foregate Street.

“The exhibition had brought Worcestershire people together like never before. On show were old masters from many local collections as well as modern day works by Brook, Leader and others plus historic relics and documents never previously put on public display."

On opening day bells were rung, flags were flown and the streets were decorated with streamers and bunting. Crowds lined the roads to watch the great and good of the county arrive and to admire the parading soldiers, brass bands, mayors and other dignitaries.

The Worcestershire Chronicle proclaimed: "It was an occasion of unusual jubilation throughout the city."

Could it be time for another?

The exhibition is just one event featured in Worcester Civic Society’s City History and Heritage Calendar of events and happenings over the centuries in the locale and here are a few more.

October 1, 1967: The constabularies of Worcestershire, Worcester City, Shropshire and Herefordshire were merged to create a new force - West Mercia Constabulary.

With a name honouring the ancient Anglo-Saxon Kingdom that once covered the area, the new force was making history in its own right.

At that time it was the largest constabulary in the country covering 1,840,000 acres and policing nearly a million people.

With Hindlip Hall between Worcester and Droitwich established as its main headquarters, administration, recruitment and management was centralised and by the turn of 1970 the new constabulary was being praised for its efficiency.

Seemingly justifying the amalgamation.

October 3, 1940: A lone German bomber appeared from under a low ceiling of cloud and after circling St John’s dropped two 500lb bombs on the Meco Works in Bromyard Road.

WWII had come to Worcester.

Seven men were killed as the east end of the factory was demolished.

They included long-serving employee William Hulme, the foreman blacksmith.

Doris Tindall, a canteen attendant, was blinded, three men were seriously injured and 60 others suffered injuries.

The second bomb missed the plate shop by only nine feet. It gouged a mark in the concrete and ricocheted on to damage property in Happy Land West.

A lump of shrapnel landed in the nearby car park of the Eltex Works just as George Elt was exiting the front door.

The explosion sent him airborne back into the building where he landed on his back.

October 8, 1647: The death of Sir Thomas Habington.

If there ever was a man who exemplified the importance of good familial ties, it was Sir Thomas.

Born into an important and wealthy Worcestershire family, his father built Hindlip Castle and had been cofferer to Elizabeth I with ties close enough to the Queen that Thomas was her godson.

This would come in handy in 1586 when he became involved in a plot to assassinate Elizabeth and get Mary, Queen of Scots, released from her long incarceration and back on the throne.

It failed and led to the execution of Thomas’ brother but after six years in the Tower of London he was released by Elizabeth.

Thomas’ motive for becoming involved were down to his Catholicism and his devotion got him in trouble once again in the aftermath of the Gunpowder plot in 1605.

Caught hiding priests at Hindlip, one of them being Edward Oldcorne, he was sentenced to death but, once again thanks to good ties, he was released in the intercession of Lord Monteagle, his brother-in-law.

October 9,1963: The Rolling Stones play Worcester Gaumont.

They were to appear at the same venue again in December. On the first visit the group was initially down the bill on a list headlined by the Everly Brothers which also included Little Richard and Bo Diddley.

However, as the nationwide tour progressed the Stones moved up thanks to the success of their first single, a version of Chuck Berry’s Come On.

The elevation must have seemed surprising to the group as they were actually playing with music legends who were their idols.

October 28, 1932: The Prince of Wales opened the extended Worcester Bridge. Worcester has had a bridge over the River Severn since at least Anglo-Saxon times and it’s taken many forms.

At one point it was the closest crossing of the river for 20 miles both north and south so served an important purpose.

The current bridge, opened in 1781, had only two lanes and by the turn of the 20th century could no longer cope with increasing traffic, especially from new motorcars.

Widening had to be done and in 1932 it was completed, opened in ceremony by Edward, The Prince of Wales, later Edward VIII of abdication fame.

The Prince also opened the remodelled Cripplegate Park.

If you approach the bridge from any angle and can see its arches, you can see the difference in masonry.

October 28, 1935: Opening of the Gaumont Cinema, Worcester.

Better remembered now as the Worcester venue that hosted The Beatles, David Bowie, Buddy Holly, Cliff Richard and many more, it was built by Provincial Cinematograph Theatres.

The exterior was designed in modern Georgian style with a set of five large windows in the centre that admitted light into the 100-seat restaurant, located over the wide entrance foyer.

The cinema was equipped with a fully-equipped stage 70-feet wide and 40-feet deep.

There was also a a Compton theatre organ with an illuminated console.

The Rank Organisation closed the Gaumont as a theatre in 1974 due to unprofitability and it became a bingo hall.

Thanks to Covid in 2020, the Gaumont has been closed permanently and its fate is uncertain.