A NEW book about Worcester’s bygone days is set to take readers on a guided walk along the city’s historic streets.
City author Ray Jones’ latest book, Worcester History Tour, hits the shelves on Saturday (February 28) and he believes it will encourage residents to learn more about their area.
From Worcester Cathedral to the docks where the porcelain products were transported, the 96-page book, published by Amberley, explains the history behind the city’s most significant landmarks.
Mr Jones said the title, which includes 60 illustrations, comes after his book, Worcester Through Time, which came out in 2009 and helped to demonstrate how much the city has changed over the years.
“In my previous look at changing Worcester in 2001, I commented that ‘endless debate ensues on whether or not such change is always desirable or necessary,” he said.
“But, despite never ending public enquiries and planning hurdles to be jumped, the landscape of our city seems to be changing beyond recognition.
“Well in eight years nothing much has changed and Worcester continues to change, almost beyond recognition in some parts of the city. This change, however, has been reasonably positive in the main.
“Nearly us of us will welcome the redevelopment schemes taking place on large sites previously used by local historic industries – Diglis Water, The Waterside, and the Lowesmoor redevelopment scheme.
“All of these schemes have involved the preservation and refurbishment of important and historic buildings thus considerably enhancing the quality of the new Worcester urban environment.”
The former RGS Worcester pupil added: “This book will look at some aspects of recent change but will also take a look at some previously unknown images of Worcester and compare them with the modern day setting.
“While identical comparisons of views are interesting I have also tried to illustrate change through more subtle photographic observation.
“Traffic and parked cars do not always contribute to great photography but their presence is inevitable and this results in a stark comparison with the Edwardian street-scape where cars were almost unknown.”
