QUESTIONS such as ‘why did King John request to be buried at Worcester?’ and ‘who was the last man to be officially executed at Worcester – and why?’ will be answered at a unique public introduction to the treasure-trove of artefacts, documents and records preserved in 12 miles of underground shelving at the Hive.
The all-day event on Saturday, November 24 is the high-profile launch to the year-long Archive and Records Association’s ‘Explore Your Archive’ campaign geared to opening-up and defusing some of the mysteries attached to archival collections held by public and private organisations across the UK and Ireland.
Worcester has been chosen to launch the English section of the national project because of the reputation and standing of the Hive-based Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service.
It’s a free event, open to the public and scholars alike, and some of the attractions – many on public display for the first time ever – make this a must-see for anyone with even a passing interest in Worcester’s colourful history…
They include King John’s actual 1199 and 1215 Worcester Charters; original documents relating to the city’s M5 of its day, Lich Street, and photographs and other reminders of the old Worcester County Gaol where upwards of 300,000 criminals spent varying periods of ‘bird’ – the old lags’ code for ‘time’ derived from ‘bird-lime’ as used by the authorities to prevent convicts scaling the Castle Street prison’s walls.
Screenings of Worcestershire on Film, showcasing historic footage from the county’s fascinating past, a free 15-minute ‘Explore the Past’ personal drop-in advice sessions, a guide for parents of children researching local history with advice and suggestions and a book sale will also be on the menu.
Guest speakers Professor Nicholas Vincent’s ‘King John and Worcester: Connections and Discoveries’, Dr Pat Hughes ‘Lich Street: Properties, People and Papers’ and Bob Blandford ‘Suspended Sentences: the long and short of a century’s executions at Worcester County Gaol’ will complete a packed day of activities.
Blandford said: “We’re especially fortunate in having an archives collection of such depth, variety and significance, fabulously preserved and serviced by a team whose knowledge is at least matched by a willingness to serve, alongside pride in a job well done”.
“The key element is that the arc-HIVE collection is not just for professionals and scholars, but for everyone, and here’s a not-to-be-missed opportunity to give this valuable resource and the brilliant folk who maintain it some of the recognition it and they so rightly deserve,” he said.
Visit www.explorethepast.co.uk for more on the free events and how to book a place at the talks.
