A FASCINATING snapshot of life in one of Worcester's most historic buildings is emerging as a radio journalist reaches the halfway stage into her research of the Commandery.

The building, in Sidbury, was a former monastic hospital, school, merchant's house and Civil War HQ in the years before it was sold to the city council in 1973.

It is a much-loved building, so an appeal by Julia Letts for Worcester people to share their recollections of it met with a huge response.

During the past two months Julia has logged more than 20 hours of recorded reminiscences, which she plans to use for a permanent oral history project. The former BBC Hereford and Worcester producer said this week that the end result will be a unique audio record tracking the last 100 years of the 1,000-year-old building.

"One aspect I was particularly keen to explore was former Littlebury's employees' first-hand memories and anecdotes of life in the printworks, and as a result of an appeal in January, we've already managed to preserve a fascinating picture of what life was like at the time."

Sightings of the Commandery's Grey Lady and the revelation that some of the Commandery's framework is more than 2,000 years old are just a few of the snippets that have emerged from the research.

One of those interviewed included 102-year old Coralie Bolton, who worked at Littlebury's between 1919 and 1922. John Littlebury, nephew of founder David Littlebury, also replied to the appeal on the city council's website and contacted Julia with a view to recording his memories.

Now Julia is planning a thank- you reunion for all the former employees on August 10.

But first, she said, her priority is to track down people who worked on any type of restoration or repair projects at the Commandery.

Anyone who can help fill in the historical gaps should contact Julia Letts on 07789 914772 or e-mail jletts@cityofworcester.gov.uk