WORCESTER City's memorial to Queen Victoria - a large-scale portrait paid for by public subscription - was unveiled at the Guildhall exactly a century ago this month.

The Journal of 1901 pointed out that Worcestershire County Council had, during the Queen's final years, erected a statue of her in front of the Shirehall as a memorial to "a long, glorious and beneficent reign."

The city, too, had honoured Queen Victoria around the time of the Diamond Jubilee of her reign by naming its superb new public museum, art gallery and education establishment at Foregate Street as the Victoria Institute.

"Now the city also possesses a fine portrait of her late Majesty, occupying a conspicuous place in the Assembly Room of the Guildhall," reported the Journal. "It is the work of artist J. Sant and was commissioned after the necessary funds had been raised from public subscription among citizens."

The portrait was officially unveiled by Lady Mary Lygon, sister of Earl Beauchamp of Madresfield Court, Malvern, and the subject, arguably, of one of Sir Edward Elgar's Enigma Variations.

The Journal said the Guildhall portrait of Queen Victoria would "commemorate a life of resplendent goodness and incalculable blessing - a life during which there was enormous progress at home in all that contributes to a nation's greatness, and a vast enlargement of the empire overseas. Worcester has done well in showing reverence and gratitude."