New centre opens

A NEW centre that will bring enormous changes to Worcestershire's family and historical research scene has opened in the city.

The Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire, Sir Thomas Dunne, officially opened the Worcestershire Family History Centre yesterday. It is housed in the former Co-operative department store at The Trinity.

The venue boasts enlarged facilities and will specialise in local studies, family history and internet facilities.

There are also twice as many microfilm readers, plus additional table spaces.

The printed local studies books, photographs, map collections, newspaper archives and other historical material which used to be in the reference section of the City Museum & Art Gallery, have also moved to the centre.

Mayor of Worcester, Councillor Mary Drinkwater, was at the opening event.

"I think the history centre is marvellous for Worcester," she said. "It's very exciting and I think it will be very accessible for a lot of Worcester people.

"It's also really good that it's in the city centre. This will give people the chance to see exactly what it has to offer."